Found Footage: The Making of the Patterson Project

(dir. Max Tzannes)

By: Dave Hughes 

The production collective Radio Silence has solidified an impressive reputation within the horror genre over the last decade. From the dark humor of Ready or Not (2019) to the visceral thrills of Abigail (2024), they have emerged as a premier source for high-quality and inventive storytelling. Their latest production, Found Footage: The Making of the Patterson Project, continues this tradition of refreshing genre work. The film offers a seamless blend of humor and horror, effectively forcing the audience to oscillate between genuine terror and laughter at the sheer absurdity of the unfolding events.

Found Footage serves as an ambitious amalgamation of various cinematic styles. The narrative begins as a sharp mockumentary that satirizes the found footage genre through clever nods to classics like The Blair Witch Project (1999) and the cult documentary American Movie (1999). At the center of the chaos is Chase, played with delusional energy by Brennan Keel Cook (Encounter), whose primary goal is to produce a definitive film centered on the Bigfoot legend. Plagued by severe budget constraints, the crew is forced to utilize a parent’s timeshare as their primary location. However, as production begins, the levity of the mockumentary format gives way to a series of unsettling events. The film skillfully transitions from deadpan comedy into a much more visceral horror experience as the group realizes their "fictional" project may be attracting a very real threat.

The primary engine of Found Footage is its distinct sense of humor, which is expertly calibrated to resonate with both general cinephiles and aspiring filmmakers. The script finds consistent comedy in the mundane realities of production, from tense budget negotiations to the specific nuances of amateur acting. These "laugh out loud" moments offer a sincere appreciation for the fans who are bold enough to attempt their own low-budget projects. The film recognizes that horror has long been a sanctuary for creative misfits and outcasts. Chase perfectly embodies this archetype, stubbornly adhering to his artistic principles even as his circumstances deteriorate and the lighthearted fun of the shoot turns into a fight for survival.

The film’s pervasive sense of humor is eventually countered by the visceral terror of the final act. While brief glimpses of horror appear early on, the narrative fully descends into darkness once the audience has grown attached to the characters. Found Footage features several genuinely disturbing sequences that catch the viewer off guard, effectively exploiting the sense of security established by the earlier comedy. It harkens back to the chaotic energy of Evil Dead (1981)or The Cabin in the Woods (2012) where the audience is forced to walk a fine line between terror and hilarity. True horror comedies are a rare breed, and even fewer manage to achieve both critical and commercial success with such a balanced approach.

Target Score 7/10: Found Footage: The Making of the Patterson Project is an inventive and highly entertaining mixture of genres that succeeds by never allowing the audience to settle into a sense of comfort. By skillfully maneuvering through the tropes of mockumentaries and visceral horror, the film creates a unique cinematic experience that will undoubtedly linger in the minds of viewers.