Not too many people have heard about the movie Grave Encounters, even though they released the trailer for it online late last year. There are very few horror flicks that get me excited these days (Insidious was the latest one, and that proved to be a huge letdown for me). Judging by the trailer, though, Grave Encounters is now officially on my movie radar.
It might just be that I am a big fan of those “found footage” movies, because I was also slightly obsessed with The Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield, and Paranormal Activity. But not only does the flick follow that formula, but it also throws in another popular horror genre: reality ghost hunting shows.
Shows like Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures have gained tremendous popularity in recent years, launching from obscure cult favorites to mainstream moneymakers. This new film takes everything we love about those shows, turns the intensity up a few notches, and throws in some Hollywood special effects.
If you’re comparing this fictional group to any real-life ghost hunters, they seem to be most like the guys from Ghost Adventures in that they seem to be a bit more hardcore, they do not use a camera crew, and they are locked in the haunted location overnight.
Directed by The Vicious Brothers, this Canadian import follows the reality show Grave Encounters as they investigate Collingwood Psychiatric Hospital, an abandoned ward that is reputed to be the most haunted place in North America. Like all of these shows, it begins with a walkthrough of the premises, interviews with eyewitnesses, and equipment set up. They are then locked in the hospital to investigate and film what turns out to be their last show.
What makes ghost-hunting shows so popular is the anticipation of something happening. More often than not, they come up empty handed or at the very most come away with some sounds they can’t explain. However, every now and then, they manage to capture something truly amazing and paranormal that makes your skin crawl, and this is what keeps people tuning in week after week. The movie is aiming to take those rare moments and fill an entire movie with them, which is making this film nothing but appealing to paranormal fans across the country.
Good horror movies are all about atmosphere. Effects are great if they aren’t over-the-top and silly, but the right mood in a theater is what really makes for a great flick. By taking the anticipation involved in these reality shows and throwing it in a relatable mode of filming and you have the makings for a great suspenseful movie that will follow you home.
Unfortunately, the film is still listed as in post-production and no release date has been announced yet (but it has been reported that it will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival later this month with a rumored August nationwide release date.) But you can bet that once we know when it’s coming out we will let you know, as well as providing you with an honest review as soon as we can!
What do you guys think of the Grave Encounters movie trailer? Will you go see it when it comes out? Let us know what you think by leaving us some comments below, and check out the super creepy trailer right here!
