92% on Rotten Tomatoes: This Underappreciated Found-Footage Horror Must Be Watched

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Among the various subgenres in horror cinema, found-footage is one that has been both extensively utilized and misused over time. However, there’s an often overlooked gem in this category that’s definitely worth watching. The concept of found-footage gained prominence with the release of “The Blair Witch Project” in 1999, but its roots can be traced back several decades earlier. This technique has been linked closely to horror since the early ’80s, and one of the earliest examples of it being used in a horrifying context is the controversial Italian film “Cannibal Holocaust,” although this style remained a niche interest until well into the late ’90s.

The groundbreaking “Blair Witch Project” was not just the first successful found-footage horror movie among mainstream viewers, but it also revolutionized the concept of found-footage films. By employing common video recording equipment and viral marketing to create an illusion between reality and fiction, the film significantly reshaped the genre’s boundaries. The subgenre received another boost with the release of “Paranormal Activity” in 2007, which similarly leveraged emerging camera technology for a more authentic feel. Consequently, numerous imitations emerged, but one standout film garnered little attention it deserved.

The Taking Of Deborah Logan Is One Of The Found-Footage Subgenre’s Most Underappreciated Movies

An Underseen Classic With Plenty Of Legitimate Scares

2014 saw the arrival of “The Taking of Deborah Logan,” an independently-produced horror movie shot in found-footage style, which garnered praise from critics but was overshadowed by the wave of VOD (Video on Demand) films that were inundating the market around the same time. The film tells the story of a documentary filmmaker who is capturing the lives of Deborah Logan and her daughter Sarah, with Deborah suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. As events take a bizarre and supernatural turn, the production team begins to unravel as they are caught up in the enigmatic forces surrounding Deborah and their film set.

Alongside being overshadowed by intense competition, “The Taking of Deborah Logan” struggled to gain recognition due to its specific genre. During the early 2010s, the found-footage trend was at its height, with numerous low-budget horror films trying to cash in on the success of the “Paranormal Activity” series. Consequently, “The Taking of Deborah Logan” was grouped with less impressive contemporaries, leading it to be almost immediately forgotten.

Enhance the narrative with the point that the storyline centers around a supernatural phenomenon known as possession. Interestingly, this indie production faced instant rejection by mainstream audiences for being too similar to previous works. Since the premiere of The Exorcist in the 1970s, possession movies have gained popularity as a subgenre, but the 2000s saw an extraordinary increase in demonic portrayals on screen. The Last Exorcism was produced a few years prior to Deborah Logan, and it uniquely blends possession with found-footage. Although the former film did not fare well, it left an indelible mark on viewers that the latter failed to erase.

What The Taking Of Deborah Logan Does Better Than Many Other Found Footage Movies

The Movie Doesn’t Eschew Proper Filmmaking Techniques

One common criticism of the found-footage genre is that it frequently skips over traditional filmmaking methods in favor of a quicker and less expensive production method. However, The Taking of Deborah Logan does not compromise on the craftsmanship of filmmaking while still maintaining a cinematic feel, even within the found-footage genre. This makes the movie significantly more enjoyable to watch, as it avoids overwhelming viewers with disorienting camerawork and unconvincing motivations. The use of cameras in this film always seems purposeful and never feels unnecessary or forced.

Furthermore, The Taking of Deborah Logan truly delivers on some genuinely unsettling resolutions to its major plot points. A characteristic often imitated from The Blair Witch Project in other found-footage films is an intentionally vague ending, leading many filmmakers to forgo a satisfying conclusion. However, Deborah Logan buckles this trend by providing a genuinely shocking finale that serves a purpose beyond just being a terrifying twist. The movie also includes one particularly harrowing scene that leaves a lasting impression on viewers long after the film has ended.

Ultimately, “The Taking of Deborah Logan” stands out as it carries a significant message. Although the film’s message may be subtle, it offers insightful commentary on trauma, aging-induced bodily decay, mistreatment of the elderly, and shortcomings in the healthcare system when caring for our community’s most vulnerable members. The movie skillfully weaves these themes into its narrative without interrupting the flow or pace.

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2025-05-12 00:39