The Found Footage Phenomenon

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The Found Footage Phenomenon

2021

1h 41m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

73%

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15 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Showcasing how found footage horror became a global sensation with films such as Kōji Shiraishi's "NOROI: The Curse," "Shirome and Occult," "The Paz Brothers' JeruZalem," André Øvredal's "Trollhunter," and also the differences between how the British and American film industries took to the genre respectively.

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John Anderson

Wall Street Journal

May 18, 2022

The Found Footage Phenomenon wanders a bit into the genre-wonky weeds. But the subject of the documentary is one that reaches far beyond the limits of fantasy-movie esoterica.

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Julian Singleton

Cinapse

Jul 11, 2025

Appleton and Escott’s tenacity in exploring every aspect of found footage brings together an unparalleled roster of academics and filmmakers from around the globe who are more than eager to dissect this bizarre reclusive stepchild of horror cinema.

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Aaron Murray

Loud and Clear Reviews

Nov 6, 2024

3/5

The Found Footage Phenomenon may not work completely for those who are new to the subgenre [...]. However, it does work as a space for many underappreciated filmmakers to discuss how this subgenre gave them the creative template to create radical works.

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Xero Gravity

Big Gold Belt Media

Jul 8, 2024

3/5

"When you think of found-footage horror, you think of these films. So, who better to listen to on educating you on the subject than the representatives from these films; the people who had their hands on creating that level of fear."

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Daniel M. Kimmel

North Shore Movies

May 20, 2022

4/4

It takes what many would consider a trivial sub-genre and places it firmly within the history of the horror film, tracing its roots as well as its evolution.

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Steven Warner

In Review Online

May 19, 2022

It feels more like an incomplete Wikipedia article than anything else, the type of project where true horror fans—and those who would naturally gravitate toward documentaries such as this one—already know the info, while beginners will likely be bored.

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Stuart R

@PRAGMATICADDICT Jan 29, 2024

The movie means well and it does everything well, I just think it could've been toned down a bit. You have to be a real found-footage fan to just sit there and listen to people talk about it for almost 2 hours. 🍅

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Sarah Appleton

Director

Phillip Escott

Director

Ruggero Deodato

Self

André Øvredal

Self

Kôji Shiraishi

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Synopsis

Showcasing how found footage horror became a global sensation with films such as Kōji Shiraishi's "NOROI: The Curse," "Shirome and Occult," "The Paz Brothers' JeruZalem," André Øvredal's "Trollhunter," and also the differences between how the British and American film industries took to the genre respectively.

Director: Sarah Appleton, Phillip Escott
Producer: Sarah Appleton, Phillip Escott
Screenwriter: Sarah Appleton, Sarah Appleton, Phillip Escott
Production Co: Fractured Visions, Caprisar Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 41m

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