Having been a fan of Chris Stuckmann for some time, I was thrilled to see him receive the backing and funding to release his first feature film; 'Shelby Oaks'. Its a journey that will no doubt inspire many others, and its one that gets all my applauds.

Coming away from this directorial debut, it’s clear that the film marks a promising start for Stuckmann — though, not without its flaws. There’s a strong sense of style and a wealth of intriguing ideas that showcase what he can bring to the horror genre, and its subgenres. His clever blending of found-footage elements with more traditional filmmaking techniques creates an effective sense of unease, letting the scares build naturally. However, the film ultimately falters in its third act, struggling to fully deliver on the ambitious concepts it sets up earlier.

But when all is said and done, there's certainly enough thrills and chills to get you invested in its story surrounding the disappearance of Riley - and the determination of her sister, Mia, to find her. With some terrific atmosphere and tension, 'Shelby Oaks' is definitely one to watch over the spooky season.

Full thoughts in this review.