Shelby Oaks – Movie Review (4/5)

SHELBY OAKS is now out on digital, and this found footage mockumentary horror movie is a real treat for genre fans. It’s a feature film debut that finally managed to reach a large audience when Mike Flanagan stepped in to produce. I can certainly understand why he wanted to get on board. Read our full Shelby Oaks movie review here!

SHELBY OAKS is a horror movie that utilizes many of the popular niche genres. First, it’s found footage, then on to mockumentary before finally becoming a full-blown paranormal horror movie with a demonic plot. Yeah, it’s a lot and could have been too much, but it works. It really works. For me, anyway.

Make sure you stick around all through the credits, and there are many. This horror movie was crowdfunded, and ultimately had Mike Flanagan step in to help bring it all together. After the credits, you’ll get an end-credit scene. Or, well, audio only, but I felt it made for a very nice ending, so I recommend hanging in there. The runtime is just 91 minutes.

Continue reading our Shelby Oaks movie review below. Find it on VOD and Digital from November 18, 2025.

Paranormal investigators go missing

When Shelby Oaks begins, it’s with us following four paranormal investigators, who have their own YouTube channel called “Paranormal Paranoids”. A nice found footage vibe is what sets the stage for the plot of Shelby Oaks, but this quickly evolves into a mockumentary as the YouTubers go missing.

One of these YouTubers is Riley (Sarah Durn), and her sister, Mia (Camille Sullivan), will do whatever it takes to find her. Obviously, this means following in the footsteps of the paranormal investigation that led to four people disappearing.

I really don’t want to do spoilers for Shelby Oaks, so let me just say that this is where the story begins. Soon, it will move away from found footage and mockumentary to become a full-blown horror movie. This shift occurs just after the opening credits, which come rather late, and this is where the story expands and evolves.

Such a deliciously creepy surprise

I have been wanting to check out Shelby Oaks for the longest time, but it just never happened. For many reasons, but not for a lack of wanting to watch it. Of course, getting this excited about a horror movie from a first-time feature film filmmaker is always dangerous, so I was one happy horror camper after finally watching it.

From the many different styles to the ultimate classic demonic horror story, Shelby Oaks was such a deliciously creepy surprise. It began by giving me just the right kind of Blair Witch Project vibe, but then moved into its own beast before going too far down that rabbit hole.

Also, the casting is wonderful all around. Camille Sullivan was amazing in Hunter Hunter, but is even better in Shelby Oaks. Also, I loved how we saw familiar faces in even very small roles. I always get suspicious at that, which means as a filmmaker, you keep horror fans on their toes.

You can look forward to seeing Brendan Sexton III (Boys Don’t Cry), Michael Beach (The Perfect Couple), Robin Bartlett (Shutter Island), Charlie Talbert (Rebel Ridge), and Keith David (Nope) in this movie. And, of course, Sarah Durn (Carry-On) as the missing sister, who is essentially the lead character of the found footage story.

Watch Shelby Oaks on VOD or Digital at home now

Shelby Oaks is the debut feature film from writer-director Chris Stuckmann, who co-wrote the story alongside Sam Liz (credited as Samanatha Elizabeth). Before making this horror movie, Chris Stuckman had been making short films and a lot of movie reviews, so he clearly knew what he was getting into.

Admittedly, I was a little skeptical before I finally had a chance to watch it myself. Why? Well, because this movie seemed to be a hit or miss for most genre fans. Fortunately, Shelby Oaks turned out to be a massive hit for me. Then again, anything with Mike Flanagan (Doctor Sleep, Midnight Mass) on board has yet to disappoint me. And I don’t see it happening any time soon.

Please note, this is not to take anything away from filmmaker Chris Stuckman, but rather to say that if Mike Flanagan saw something in this project, then I trust it would be worth my time as well.

This movie amassed over a whopping 4500 backers on Kickstarter, along with the support of executive producer Mike Flanagan to create this genre movie described as “made by horror fans for horror fans,” which I absolutely recognize. If you love a solid horror movie that doesn’t care about leaving you with a “feel-good ending”, then check out Shelby Oaks today!

SHELBY OAKS is out on VOD and digital platforms on November 18, 2025.

Details

Director: Chris Stuckmann
Writer: Chris Stuckmann
Cast: Camille Sullivan, Brendan Sexton III, Michael Beach, Sarah Durn, Robin Bartlett, Charlie Talbert