Man Finds Tape is the latest creepy found footage film hoping to land with fans of the oversaturated subgenre. We have all seen our fair share of horror documentaries within a film by this point. However, this one sets itself apart from the most recent slate by being just different enough, and not overstaying its welcome. This unsettling tale is written and directed by Paul Gandersman and Peter S. Hall. The duo crafts a seemingly slow burn that tugs at quite a few interesting strings as it makes its way to a surprisingly effective ending.
Man Finds Tape is a tale of two siblings who find themselves in an unusual predicament. Lucas Page (William Magnuson) hosts a popular YouTube channel called Man Finds Tape. On the channel, he shares disturbing home videos with his followers. Lucas decides to turn an eye to a murder that took place in his hometown. He enlists his reluctant sister, Lynn (Kelsey Pribilski), to help with the investigation, and they soon find out the murder is just the tip of the chaotic iceberg. The siblings find themselves at the center of a supernatural battle that has been brewing for decades.
The film dips its toe into quite a few cool conversations. Is Lucas lying about what he’s found on the tapes to get more traction on the internet? We all see people go to outlandish lengths for the warmth of a like or share. So, it is cool that Man Finds Tape lets the audience wonder for quite a bit if he’s reliable or not. The movie also embraces the small-town vibe of avoiding problems. Although, unlike most media, it explains why nobody has solved the case or investigated any of the supernatural accusations. The townsfolk cannot remember anything because something will not let them remember. This collective black hole of a memory leads to roadblocks in Lucas and Lynn’s investigation. This becomes one of many hindrances to them getting to the truth and uncovering their own family’s involvement in this case.
The town is populated with characters that we’re never completely sure we can trust. Reverend Endicott Carr (John Gholson) seems like the obvious villain and is constantly the most unsettling person in his scenes. However, the movie soon alerts us that this would be too simple to pin and we need to think bigger. Lucas’ girlfriend, Wendy Parker (Nell Kessler), seems like she’s on the up and up. At least until we find out she has agreed to be a surrogate for Reverend Carr. So, that makes her another zany, suspicious person while we wait to see what will become of this fetus situation.
To make things even more interesting, a dangerous stranger (Brian Villalobos) appears and seems to have answers no one is ready for. The movie becomes a moment when The Stranger starts explaining upsetting and horrifying revelations. Man Finds Tape was going off the rails (complimentary) before he arrived, but the film rises to another chaotic level of nightmare fuel once someone with answers enters the chat. It also helps that he’s not precious about what needs to be done to win his side of the supernatural shenanigans that have taken this town hostage for far too long.
Director of Photography, David Coone, captures the creepy vibes and unsettling undertones of this small town in very interesting ways. While the first act of Man Finds Tape takes a bit to find its footing, the visual storytelling keeps us invested. The camera tilts, and angles quickly become part of the atmosphere and help us remember that something juicy is coming. We even get a few stationary moments that crank the tension up and effectively induce some claustrophobic anxiety. Luckily, once the movie puts the first act in its rearview mirror, it catches up to the cinematography and vibes. It suddenly becomes a chaotic banger that worms its way into the crevices of the mind.
While Man Finds Tape almost lost me in the first half, it eventually became a damn good time. I know the fake documentary found footage movies have the subgenre in a chokehold right now. However, this indie moment deserves a chance to win you over. It’s a very promising directorial debut from Paul Gandersman and Peter S. Hall and rewards the audience for committing to the journey. The duo created a complex little nesting doll that leaves viewers chasing one mystery into another. It’s a dizzying riddle-filled ride that I’m sure it will land with many found footage faithfuls upon release.
Man Finds Tape will hit select theaters and VOD on December 5, 2025.
