Man Finds Tape Review: This Chilling Mystery Is One Of The More Exciting Found Footage Horror Movies I’ve Seen In A While

by

When done well, found footage horror films can create a really gripping atmosphere, drawing you into the story and making you care about the characters. This new film, the directorial debut from Paul Gandersman and Peter S. Hall, successfully balances suspense and a supernatural mystery within that style. It doesn’t try to reinvent the genre, but it effectively uses familiar elements to deliver an enjoyable experience.

Documentary filmmaker Lynn Page (Kelsey Pribilski) left her hometown of Larkin, Texas, after the mysterious deaths of her parents. Years later, her brother, Lucas (William Magnuson), contacts her. He’s gained online fame with a web series based on a strange tape he discovered in their parents’ house. He asks for Lynn’s help investigating the footage, which depicts events that no one – not even those who watch it – can recall. What they uncover turns out to be far more frightening than they anticipated.

Man Finds Tape Makes The Most Of Its Story & Chilling Suspense

There’s a lot to enjoy in Man Finds Tape. The intriguing central mystery – where the whole town of Larkin starts forgetting they’ve seen specific footage – immediately grabs your attention, as does the film’s documentary-style approach. This horror thriller skillfully builds suspense, slowly revealing clues that piece together a disturbing puzzle involving characters you genuinely begin to root for. The film provides just enough information to keep you guessing without giving everything away too soon.

Despite a few minor plot issues or confusing moments, the story remains consistently exciting and disturbing. The film’s small-town location effectively creates both a sense of closeness and loneliness. Without Lynn’s return to Larkin to investigate Lucas, the situation felt genuinely dangerous for everyone involved. The visuals, which become distorted and unclear whenever the mysterious Stranger appears, heighten the feeling of dread. Combined with clever editing, Man Finds Tape successfully blurs the boundary between reality and illusion.

I was completely hooked by this film, mostly because of the incredible suspense. What really impressed me was how carefully the story built – it just kept ratcheting up the tension! I found myself totally invested in figuring out the mystery, and while the final reveal wasn’t exactly what I expected, it wasn’t a dealbreaker. The directors really nailed the build-up to the supernatural element and how everything played out afterward. Even though not every question got answered, it didn’t matter – the climax still felt satisfying because we got enough closure.

Man Finds Tape’s Cast Keeps Us Invested In The Characters

The film Man Finds Tape would have been even stronger with more developed characters. Although I was invested in the story and its surprises, I didn’t feel like I got to know Lynn and Lucas very well. I easily understood their conflict, but exploring their relationship more deeply would have made it more impactful. Fortunately, the actors did a great job bringing the characters to life, even when the script didn’t fully establish them.

Pribilski and Magnuson feel like realistic siblings who start off with a strained relationship. Pribilski effectively shows his character’s initial frustration when talking to Magnuson’s Lucas, and Magnuson convincingly portrays a character desperate for his sister’s trust, especially considering their difficult past and the complications caused by his online series. Together, their performances create a believable and nuanced sibling dynamic.

Nell Kessler is the heart of the film, playing Lucas’s former girlfriend and acting as a sort of adopted daughter to the town’s reverend. The movie noticeably improves when her character appears. Kessler’s interview segments are especially compelling; she brings such depth and emotion to the role that you become invested in her story and her link to the supernatural events.

Gandersman and Hall work together seamlessly throughout the film, expertly controlling its mood. The editing, handled by Gandersman and Tyler Mager, effectively builds a feeling of dread and suspense. It’s a refreshing and well-made found footage horror film, and a strong first feature from the directors.

Man Finds Tape premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival.

Note: This review was originally published on June 13th, 2025.

Read More

2025-12-02 20:02