Found footage is a highly divisive genre. For one thing, the filming style tends to nauseate many people. And even those who can stomach the constantly-moving and panning camera usually disagree on how well the story and acting came across. It's exceedingly rare for a found footage movie to be universally beloved.
As such, opinions often wildly vary when it comes to found footage movies. Some people adore specific movies, others detest them - and often for similar reasons. Some deserve their praise, others don't deserve their tarnishing.
Underrated: The Taking Of Deborah Logan (2014)
When it comes to found footage movies, The Taking of Deborah Logan is often ignored. It's a shame because the movie is actually quite good. Released in 2014, the movie serves as a faux-documentary about an ill elderly woman suffering from Alzheimer's.
Of course, it's actually much more sinister than everyday Alzheimer's, and therein lies the horror of the movie. Possession movies can be a real mixed bag, especially when combined with the found footage subgenre. Luckily, this movie does them both right and provides a thrilling and horrifying experience.
Overrated: The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007)
Love it or hate it, The Poughkeepsie Tapes is one of the most disturbing movies ever made. Unfortunately, "disturbing" does not necessarily translate to "good." Serving as one of the most visceral found footage movies, The Poughkeepsie Tapes is little more than a fictional snuff film, as audiences watch the horrifying handiwork of a serial killer.
While the acting is commendable, The Poughkeepsie Tapes offers very little in the way of story or themes. It's just shock and outrage for shock and outrage's sake. There's no entertainment to be found in the relentless suffering of others.
Underrated: REC 2 (2009)
Most people ignore REC 2. It's understandable, as the first REC is one of the scariest found footage movies ever made, and its ending is horrifically brutal and nihilistic. No one wanted the story to continue, but continue it did.
And while REC 2 received middling reviews (with most claiming that it doesn't hold a candle to the original), it still serves as a welcome addition to the story. It provides more lore and backstory (should viewers care about that sort of thing), not to mention more terrifying zombie action. It's just as well made as the original.
Overrated: Grave Encounters (2011)
Grave Encounters was quite popular - popular enough to warrant a sequel, at least. It takes the form of popular ghost hunting reality shows, particularly Ghost Adventures. The crew is invited to investigate an abandoned psychiatric hospital, and they uncover something far more unsettling than mere ghosts.
It's a decent concept for a horror movie, but it really isn't that good, filled with derivative jump scares and shoddy visual effects. Despite the bad reviews (33 on Metacritic), Grave Encounters is quite well-liked by the general public (sequel, 6.1 on IMDb). The critics were right on this one.
Underrated: Diary Of The Dead (2007)
George A. Romero's fifth entry in his legendary Dead series. In many ways, it heralded the beginning of the end. It's not that good (just underrated), and it was nowhere near as captivating as his prior movies (even the middling Land of the Dead).
But there's still a lot to like about the movie, including its unique handheld approach to the zombie apocalypse. If this was made by anyone other than George A. Romero, it may have been received better than it was.
Overrated: As Above, So Below (2014)
Much like Grave Encounters, As Above, So Below serves as a stark contrast between critics and general audiences. While the movie made a respectable $40 million at the box office and stands at a respectable 6.2 on IMDb, critics absolutely ravaged the movie.
It sits at just 26% on Rotten Tomatoes and 38 on Metacritic, with most criticizing its clichéd story, derivative scares, and weird The movie certainly has a good concept, but the execution falters. It's found footage 101, and it presents nothing audiences haven't seen in better horror movies.
Underrated: Lake Mungo (2008)
Lake Mungo is finally receiving some recognition, and that's a good thing. For over a decade, Lake Mungo served as the definition of "hidden gem," a little movie from Australia that no one had even heard of, let alone seen. It's a wonderfully crafted horror movie, offering up numerous twists and surprises that defy audience expectations.
Joel Anderson serves as a commendable writer and director, making Lake Mungo's web of complexities seem far easier to command than it actually (presumably) was.
Overrated: Cannibal Holocaust (1980)
Ruggero Deodato's the first found footage horror movie. Widely controversial in its day, Cannibal Holocaust concerns a documentary crew and their encounter with a cannibalistic Amazonian tribe. It proved so vile and convincing that Deodato was arrested on obscenity charges.
While the movie is undoubtedly influential, it's not very good, and it does not deserve its monumental reputation. This is certainly a case of a movie's reputation preceding its actual value.
Underrated: Antrum (2018)
a brilliant Canadian export and one of the greatest found footage movies in some time. Filmed in a highly unique and visually captivating retro '70s style, Antrum is a faux documentary about an underground movie released in the '70s that supposedly cursed its viewers.
It blends creepy occult aspects with the visceral thrill of watching a supposedly cursed videotape. Watching the movie is like watching something found on the dark web. We feel like we shouldn't be watching it, but its mysterious allure guarantees that we can't stop.
Overrated: Hell House LLC (2015)
Hell House LLC certainly has its fans, and it proved popular enough to warrant an entire trilogy. But its qualities remain questionable. While it's certainly well-acted and the opening documentary segments prove hauntingly alluring, Hell House LLC cannot capitalize on its intriguing mysteries.
It promises far more than it can deliver, and both its scares and its long-anticipated climactic massacre prove monumentally disappointing - especially after all the great build-up. With a different ending and a little more refinement, this could have been a classic.
