Hunting Matthew Nichols Review
When it comes to found footage horror, The Blair Witch Project reshaped the entire genre, setting a standard that horror films are still measured against today. Nearly every new entry invites comparisons to its unsettling atmosphere. The Canadian supernatural horror Hunting Matthew Nichols, filmed on Vancouver Island, leans directly into that legacy, paying tribute through explicit references while presenting the same eerie, forest-bound creepiness that made Blair Witch so iconic.
Hunting Matthew Nichols opens with Tara Nichols (Miranda MacDougall) being interviewed on camera for a documentary about her brother, who disappeared with his friend on Halloween night in 2001. Now, two decades later, Tara is teaming up with a documentary filmmaker, played by Markian Tarasiuk—who also makes his feature directorial debut—to find out what really happened.
With access to police files, evidence, and interviews with the original lead investigator, the team begins to piece together the mystery that has haunted Tara and her family for years. Their search takes a chilling turn when they learn of a missing VHS tape from the turned over evidence recovered from a camcorder that was found at a remote cabin the night her brother vanished. This cabin would go on to play a crucial role in both the story and the film.
Once the tape is finally retrieved, it reveals deeply disturbing footage that blurs the line between reality and fiction, especially given that the missing boys were fans of The Blair Witch Project, a detail that reinforces the film’s connection to the very roots of found footage horror. When this lost footage is combined with the other material they’ve reviewed, Tara begins to believe there is a possible link between the boys’ disappearance and a piece of local folklore involving a mysterious cult leader.
Markian isn’t convinced the footage is real, reminding Tara that her brother and his friend were aspiring filmmakers who frequently shot videos on a camcorder. What makes the film particularly compelling, and ultimately effective, is that it doesn’t rely solely on found footage. Instead, it blends that style with a mockumentary approach, intercut with behind-the-scenes moments of Tara and the team as they discuss and analyze the case.
For much of the film, the found footage elements come from the VHS tapes recorded by Tara’s brother. It’s not until the latter half that the found footage aspect fully takes over, shifting focus to Tara and Markian as they become increasingly immersed in the mystery. This is where the horror truly intensifies. Leading up to Tara and Markian’s journey into the same forest where her brother vanished, the film takes its time building tension, creating a slow, deliberate sense of unease that makes the eventual scares all the more satisfying.
Hunting Matthew Nichols is a nice reminder of how effective indie horror can be. It’s layered with a sense of nostalgia and builds toward a payoff that feels worthwhile. At times, it genuinely feels like you’re watching a real documentary about an actual case, and that added layer of realism draws viewers in and makes the experience feel gripping and authentic.
Rating: ★★★★☆
Hunting Matthew Nichols is now playing in theaters.
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