Stuckmann Scores Big with Thrilling Horror Debut

Shelby Oaks follows a paranormal investigator who uncovers terrifying secrets while searching for her missing sister. Set in a small town with a dark past, the film explores the boundaries between reality and the supernatural.

Shelby Oaks is a commendable first showing for Stuckmann as a filmmaker. Don’t expect the second coming — few movies are. Stuckmann funnels a career of online criticism into a sisterly nightmare that confirms he’s been learning from every review discussion. It’s chilling, well-performed, and bolstered by a rich, folkloric storytelling foundation that feels so lived-in. Shelby Oaks is a horror procedural that tries to be anything but routine, and while some of the film’s atypical flourishes score higher than others, it succeeds as a substantially creepy genre experiment with scares and soul.

Pros:

* The film boasts a thick, dark atmosphere.
* Camille Sullivan delivers a strong lead performance.
* Stuckmann shows promise in his filmmaking debut.

Cons:

* Big ambitions sometimes get the better of the film.
* There are third act troubles.
* Some influences feel recreated, not integrated.

Shelby Oaks had its World Premiere at the 2024 Fantasia International Film festival.

FAQs:

* Is Shelby Oaks a good horror movie?
+ Yes, it’s a promising debut from Chris Stuckmann that’s equal parts eerie and soulful despite some third act shakiness.
* Is the camerawork good in Shelby Oaks?
+ Yes, the camerawork stands out by capturing crisp woodland creepiness.
* Is Shelby Oaks worth watching?
+ Yes, it’s a commendable first showing for Stuckmann as a filmmaker, and it’s a horror procedural that tries to be anything but routine.