The Documentary is a 2017 found footage horror film directed by Walter Moise. The movie stars Aaron Bowden as himself, the host of a documentary exploring the paranormal, Jake B. Miller as his cameraman, and Christine Nguyen as a psychic medium. The film follows Bowden and Miller as they begin their investigation into a supposedly haunted hotel in downtown Los Angeles. As they interview locals and delve into the history of the hotel, strange occurrences begin to happen. Doors slam shut, whispers echo through the halls, and the elevator seems to have a mind of its own.
When they finally meet with Nguyen, she tells them that the hotel is home to a malevolent spirit that feeds off of fear. As the night wears on, the team becomes scared and paranoid, but they remain determined to capture evidence of the supernatural.
Throughout the film, the camera work is shaky and erratic, contributing to the feeling of unease and disorientation. The use of night vision footage adds to the atmosphere of dread, making it difficult to see what's happening and building tension.
One of the strengths of The Documentary is its use of sound design. Ominous ambient noises, creaky floorboards, and sudden loud bangs contribute to the sense of an unseen danger lurking just out of frame. The music is sparse but effective, with a haunting piano melody that recurs throughout the film.
The performances are mostly solid, with Bowden doing a good job of playing himself. Miller is less successful, with his constant nervy chatter becoming grating over the course of the movie. Nguyen is the standout, bringing a sense of gravitas and authenticity to her role as the psychic medium.
The film's pacing is deliberate, taking its time to build up to the scares. Some viewers may find the first hour slow, as the team conducts interviews and sets up equipment. However, once things start to go wrong, the tension ratchets up quickly, leading to a frenzied final act.
One of the film's weaknesses is its lack of originality. Found footage horror has been done many times before, and The Documentary doesn't bring much new to the table. The plot is predictable, with few surprises or twists. Additionally, some of the scares are telegraphed too obviously, such as when doors begin to open on their own.
Overall, The Documentary is a decent entry in the found footage horror subgenre. While it doesn't break any new ground, it delivers some effective scares and builds a creepy atmosphere. Fans of this type of movie should find it worth a watch.
The Documentary is a 2017 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.4.
