Everyone knows that making a movie is hard. However, it’s even harder when sinister forces begin to interfere, like in this new horror mockumentary, Found Footage: The Making of the Patterson Project.
The film follows Chase (Brennan Keel Cook), who wants to make a movie about Bigfoot. Along for the ride are his girlfriend Natalie (Erika Vetter) and best friend Mitchell (Chen Tang). Both of them have the patience of saints as they initially seem unphased by Chase’s behavior once he starts getting high off his own supply. In addition to their own small film crew, they also have a highly regarded French documentary team documenting their misadventures.
What Kind of Found Footage is This?
If this makes you think of found footage films like Incident at Loch Ness, you’re not off base. Found Footage: The Making of the Patterson Project spends plenty of time making jokes and crafting ridiculously silly situations. It’s actually easy to miss the first offramp into WTF territory if you’re giggling too hard. Director and co-writer Max Tzannes cites Christopher Guest as one of his heroes, and most people familiar with Guest’s work will pick that up. This movie is a refreshing and delightful kind of chaos that we do not see every day. I also think too many people are holding on too tightly to their obsession with shows like The Office to not find this offbeat tale charming.
Ain’t Nobody Safe
As the team forges along with their movie (and their interpersonal drama), it becomes apparent something isn’t right. As things get weirder, a couple of crew members figure out they might have unwittingly released something that wants them dead. This is where the Found Footage: The Making of the Patterson Project begins to lower the lighthearted facade. It stops playing nice and starts to get real once shit hits the fan. Horror fiends who want something more bloody and chaotic will be rewarded for their patience if they stick it out. I was having a decent time with the movie. However, I leaned all the way in when it became obvious everyone was actually in danger. There is no cute happy ending with some trauma bonding for most of the people we met along the way.
Is it Love at Third Act?
Found Footage: The Making of the Patterson Project has a very surprising third act, which is where all the juice is. Again, it’s not a bad movie beforehand. However, seeing how they dispatch so many people in terrifying ways with their small budget is impressive. The screams, the snatching up of characters, and the buckets of blood are pure chaos. The creativity that comes with having to do all of this on a limited budget is what indie cinema is about. This is where the horror part of the horror comedy almost looks at its audience and says, “I heard you talking shit,” as it begins turning our beloved team into bloody confetti. I am a ghoul who lived, laughed, and loved in these final moments. I also immediately started telling my other friends with screeners to stick it out because it really is about the journey.
Found Footage: The Making of the Patterson Project hit theaters on June 20th. It arrives on VOD June 24th.
