By Melissa Antoinette Garza
Traditionally, I am not a fan of found footage films. There are exceptions to the rule, but by now I think they are overdone and rarely good. The tales tend to be simple, the characters are undeveloped, and the plot-holes or unanswered questions are explained away by it being “found footage.”
Another issue I have with mockumentaries is that filmmakers and writers often utilize the style to be lazy in the overall production. Rather than having the actual movie and setup explain the opening or premise, an individual in the style of an interview simply tells the viewers what they are doing and what to expect.
Still, there are those that rise above and rather than use the style to be lax in their delivery, actually utilize it to enhance the overall movie. These are the ones that easily could have been a traditional film but to better tell the story and induce fear in the viewers used the found footage method.
I’m happy to say that Grave Encounters definitely fell into the latter category. I expected absolutely nothing when I began watching it. I thought it was going to be something like Quarantine (2008) meets Paranormal Activity (2007). Instead, it felt more like The Legend of Hell House (1973) meets the remake of House on Haunted Hill (1999).
Lance (Sean Rogerson) is the star of a ghost hunting TV show called Grave Encounters. Together with his crew, they visit and begin investigating the closed down and abandoned Collingwood Psychiatric Hospital. Like most haunted locations, the hospital’s history is not a pretty one.
Years ago, Dr. Arthur Friedkin (Arthur Corber) conducted awful experimental procedures on his patients. The patients then sought out revenge and murdered Friedkin. Other awful occurrences including people committing suicide plagued the hospital.
Since then, paranormal activity was reported on a consistent basis. A construction crew reported hearing noises, stolen tools, and being pushed by an unseen presence. Teenagers who broke in claimed to see a bald ghost in a hospital’s gown.
Lance begins walking around with psychic Houston (Mackenzie Gray). While filming for the show, the duo act completely serious and talk about the possibility of demons and spirits. When they cut, the two laugh it off as if neither really has faith in the supernatural. Lance even goes as far to pay a groundskeeper to say that he saw a ghost on the premises. It’s clear that this is more-so a fun job for the crew rather than something they actually believe in.
Nonetheless, they begin filming. They set up cameras throughout the hospital so they can catch any strange activity on camera. Then as part of the show’s gimmick, they are locked in for the night without the ability to leave.
Of course, the hospital is actually haunted. Strange things begin to happen almost immediately. The camera guy T.C. (Merwin Mondesir) sees a door slam on its own. When he’s pushed by a ghost, T.C has had enough. He decides he wants to go home but they are unable to get cell service in the hospital.
Apparitions begin to appear and noises are heard. The technical expert Matt (Juan Riedinger) disappears for hours. Despite their fears, the crew head down the halls and look for him. When he’s found, the boy has lost his mind.
When 6 a.m. comes and goes and no one comes to open the door, they force the door open. Only when they do, the doors they entered no longer lead outside but instead to a hallway in the hospital. In fact, every exit seems to lead in circles. They go to the windows but are unable to open them as they all have bars. Lance looks outside and sees that it’s still dark outside. He tells the group that it doesn’t make sense as the time is after 8 and the sun was supposed to rise at 7:45.
Time goes on and on and no one comes to save them. Hours turn to days and the sun never rises. It becomes very apparent that though the hours are passing for them, on the outside it hasn’t even reached 6 a.m. yet.
Grave Encounters is a genuinely scary film with interesting characters and great acting. The movie has excellent pace and a level of creepiness to it that isn’t found in most movies of this sub-genre.
Even those who are sick and tired of all the Cloverfield (2008) wannabes and The Blair Witch Project (1999) ripoffs, would find enjoyment with Grave Encounters. Though many of the scare tactics have been used before, there is a level of uniqueness to the production. For the most part and with few exceptions, the CGI is used effectively, sparingly and in conjunction with more traditional devices.
I am anxiously awaiting the sequel and as it was written by the same individuals who penned the first, I have high hopes.
Scared Stiff Rating: 7.5/10
