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Stories of Bigfoot, Sasquatch, or essentially big, hairy creatures have been around for centuries, but peaked in the 1960s and 1970s. Regardless of whether you think it exists, the image of a lumbering hairy "creature" has become so iconic, to the point that it has been copied, parodied, and homaged in all types of media, including this 2014 film.
Exists follows a group of friends spending a weekend in a remote cabin, only to find themselves being stalked and hunted by a mysterious creature. Directed by Eduardo Sánchez, co-director of The Blair Witch Project, this is a film that really lends itself really well for the "found footage" format, and he really makes some good use of it here.
The direction does a great job of creating dread and tension through the possibility of an approaching figure, or because of the actual approaching figure. There are also a lot of effective jumpscares and genuinely scary, creepy moments. Even though I don't think the very conclusion did the trick, I have to admit that I was fidgeting at numerous times during the film.
One of the struggles of "found footage" films is to find reasons for the characters to keep filming, even in the midst of chaotic situations. However, although there is always the need for some stretch, the recording feels mostly organic here. The performances are serviceable; although none of them are great, they do the job.
Ever since "found footage" was catapulted in popularity by Sánchez and partner Daniel Myrick, it has become a frequent target for movie fans that question their purpose and legitimacy. It is perhaps serendipitous that it is Sánchez himself the one that proves to us that effective "found footage" films do exist.
Grade:
EXISTS
(2014, Sánchez)
(2014, Sánchez)
"We're going to be fine, as long as we don't provoke it. There are no credible documented cases of a Sasquatch attack."
Stories of Bigfoot, Sasquatch, or essentially big, hairy creatures have been around for centuries, but peaked in the 1960s and 1970s. Regardless of whether you think it exists, the image of a lumbering hairy "creature" has become so iconic, to the point that it has been copied, parodied, and homaged in all types of media, including this 2014 film.
Exists follows a group of friends spending a weekend in a remote cabin, only to find themselves being stalked and hunted by a mysterious creature. Directed by Eduardo Sánchez, co-director of The Blair Witch Project, this is a film that really lends itself really well for the "found footage" format, and he really makes some good use of it here.
The direction does a great job of creating dread and tension through the possibility of an approaching figure, or because of the actual approaching figure. There are also a lot of effective jumpscares and genuinely scary, creepy moments. Even though I don't think the very conclusion did the trick, I have to admit that I was fidgeting at numerous times during the film.
One of the struggles of "found footage" films is to find reasons for the characters to keep filming, even in the midst of chaotic situations. However, although there is always the need for some stretch, the recording feels mostly organic here. The performances are serviceable; although none of them are great, they do the job.
Ever since "found footage" was catapulted in popularity by Sánchez and partner Daniel Myrick, it has become a frequent target for movie fans that question their purpose and legitimacy. It is perhaps serendipitous that it is Sánchez himself the one that proves to us that effective "found footage" films do exist.
Grade: