The camera captures comrade’s captur caper chaos causing committed caring cops to clarify clues and close the case of a calculated cloaked killer.

Stoker Hills starts off how all found footage films end. Two detectives find a camera at a crime scene. They gather that while a group of filmmaking students were shooting a horror film for their class, one of them was abducted. The others follow the car attempting to rescue her. The cops use what was recorded to help with the investigation that follows. Will they find them in time?

Directed by Benjamin Louis, he found a way to reinvent both subgenres. The film students navigate the scenes as the audience watches along with the police to deduce the most logical explanation to where they are and who did it. Half the film is shot in the found footage style while the other half was shot as a conventional film. To blend them, it’s cleverly edited with interesting scene transitions. It’s unlike anything else I’ve seen before.

Written by Jonah Kuehner, he creates a story based on a premise I have wondered about myself. How was the footage filmed by the victims of circumstance allegedly found? Most of those movies take place in remote locations so the odds of them finding anything is slim to none. This reasonable situation is satisfactory. They’re looking for clues based on what was captured on camera. Also, the idea to go down the slasher route was smartly put to use making the film feel fresh as opposed to “just another found footage film.” On top of that, plenty of surprises is provided until the excellently executed conclusion.

Steffani Brass is Erica Gallagher, the student initially abducted in the inciting incident. More than a dumb damsel in distress, she’s written in a way that makes her feel like a real person as she fights off the killer’s various attacks. She has hopes, fears, and reacts appropriately to certain situations making her a relatable, likeable character to root for. David Gridley is Ryan, one of the friends searching. The young aspiring filmmaker came up with the idea for the film in question. The other friends are Vince Hill-Bedford as Jake and Tyler Clark as Dani Brooks. They all band together to escape the clutches of a serial killer and survive the night. They desperately try to make things right as they make their pain and bewilderment felt.

Tony Todd is Professor Smith, their filmmaking teacher. The horror icon makes his presence felt as he wisely advises about how horror films work and what makes a good one. Having him in the picture is a nice touch.

William Lee Scott is Detective Bill Stafford. His partner is Eric Etebari is Detective Adams. Together they discuss personal matters as they search for clues to make sense of what they’re watching on camera. They have good chemistry together and I found the investigation to be an interesting way to push the plot forward. They might be typical bumbling cops,  but their hearts are in the right place and at least they’re not the standard useless cops like in most horror movies.

Overall, Stoker Hills being half-found footage, half traditional film is wonderfully exciting. It helps it’s a slasher, too, instead of the usual paranormal angle of those films. This helps it stand out. The way the rest of the plot plays out is also ingeniously done. The decision was made to have the detectives use the footage as a plot device. A wise choice was made to create a refreshing way to approach two subgenres that are arguably overdone. I highly recommend it. And remember, when evil works in the shadows…film it.

9 out of 10