#REVIEW: “SHELBY OAKS”

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

Since Fantasia International Film Festival 2024, I have wanted to see Chris Stuckmann’s feature directorial debut Shelby Oaks. So to say that the hype and anticipation for this was drastically through the roof is an understatement. It was going to be near impossible for it to meet expectations. Well, with all that being said, not only did Stuckmann manage to meet my expectations, he somehow exceeds them, creating one of the most unsettling, terrifying, and unnerving movies of 2025. It will be held in the same regards as the likes of The Blair Witch Project with its found footage theme, mixed with a true crime, bringing to life the true horrors that can potentially plague us all.

The Movie is almost two-fold. It focuses on the disappearance of a paranormal investigator Riley (Sarah Durn), and her three colleagues, Laura (Caisey Cole), Peter (Anthony Baldasare) and David (Eric Francis Melaragni) let by her sister Mia (Camille Sullivan). While the Film changes between watching the found footage and footage of Riley and her friends investigating what happened in the town of Shelby Oaks, it pivots to Mia’s investigation as she refused to lose hope that her sister is somewhere out there. When a mysterious man comes to Mia’s house and utters “she finally let me go”, he leaves her with a lot more questions than answers.  Her investigation into what happened to Riley and where she may be, gets a breaking development and her journey just gets started here.

There are so many layers to Stuckmann and Sam Liz’s script that it is impossible to dive into it all without giving away so much of the plot and mystery surrounding the disappearances, the happenings, and the mystery. What works so well here and tenfold over is how they layer this script to balance the genre bending and creating different worlds for the audience to get involved in – the initial journey, the journey to try and find Riley and the cumulative Third Act that takes a lot of swings, that completely knock it out of the park. To create something so layered and creative without losing any of the elements and keeping the intensity and pressure throughout is a hard feet to pull off, but Stuckmann behind the screen and pen certainly does this flawlessly.

Shelby Oaks comes with an engaging Script, and a genius behind the camera as well, but it would all fall apart if it were not for the brilliant Cast, all bringing  their absolute all to the performances. With the focus being on ‘archival’ footage of Riley, Durn manages to perfectly play the paranormal investigator who seemingly feels something wrong is afoot. Whether that be to play up for views or reality is unknown, but when she does disappear her unease and tension of what she senses arounds her becomes that much more eerie. While Camille Sullivan is the standout through and through in Shelby Oaks, her performance is grounded, centered, and convincing. She gets shaken to her core early on, has to deal with the figurative loss of her sister as she refuses to give up hope, and then go on her own to try and follow the clues to find her sister or at least get answers.

Stuckmann who has been reviewing films and has a successful YouTube for years breaks out with his feature debut in Shelby Oaks. This proves to be one of this year’s best movies that is going to shock, terrify, and linger with audiences long after the credits roll. It is rare for a movie to noticeably increase my blood pressure, but that is what Shelby Oaks accomplished. This Movie is made by someone who has a deep understanding of what makes a good movie and what makes a great movie and did everything in his power to ensure he made a great movie. Bolstered by a phenomenal Cast, Shelby Oaks delivers on all fronts making one of the year;s best features.

Elevation Pictures release SHELBY OAKS in theatres on Friday, October 24, 2025.