The Garlock Incident from 2012 is a horror film that follows a group of friends who take a trip to the Garlock ghost town, situated in the remote desert of California. They plan on making a documentary about the town’s past and the mysterious disappearance of its inhabitants. The film begins with a warning message saying that the footage is still under investigation and is not suitable to be viewed by the general public. It then moves on to show the amateur filmmaker, Ana (Ana Lily Amirpour), and her team, consisting of cameraman Z (Adam Chambers) and soundman James (Sean Durrie), as they prepare their equipment for the shoot. Ana is the driving force behind the team, and she is determined to uncover the town’s secrets.
As they set out on their journey, they soon realize that the locals are not too keen on outsiders exploring the area. The town has a dark history, and the spirits of those who perished there are said to haunt the place. Ana and her team brush it off as superstition and continue with their plans.
As they delve deeper into the town’s past, strange things start to happen. The crew hears eerie noises, sees unexplainable apparitions, and begins to witness the town's bloody history unfold before their very eyes. Ana tries to push forward with the documentary, but her team grows increasingly nervous and scared.
As the night progresses, things become more sinister, and the team realizes they are not alone. They are being watched by malevolent spirits who want to ensure that the truth about the town never sees the light of day. It soon becomes a fight for survival as the team tries to escape from the haunted town.
The film is a found footage movie, which means that it is shot entirely from the perspective of a handheld camera. The technique lends a sense of realism to the film and immerses the audience in the action. The movie also uses minimal special effects, relying on sounds and shadows to create a sense of dread and unease.
The Garlock Incident is a slow-burning horror film that builds tension as the story progresses. The tension comes from the ominous atmosphere, the creepy location, and the mysterious events that unfold. The film primarily focuses on the characters' reactions to the frightening situation they are in, rather than relying on jump scares and gore.
The performances in the movie are strong, with Ana Lily Amirpour standing out as the determined and focused filmmaker. Adam Chambers and Sean Durrie also deliver credible performances as her team.
The film's setting is another standout aspect, with the desolate and abandoned town adding to the eerie atmosphere. The remote location also adds layers of isolation and danger to the film, making the characters' predicament all the more frightening.
Overall, The Garlock Incident is a well-executed found footage horror film. It has an engaging plot that builds tension convincingly, and the realistic performances from the cast help to immerse the audience in the story. It is a must-watch for fans of slow-burn horror movies and those who enjoy a good ghost story with plenty of scares along the way.
The Garlock Incident is a 2017 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.8.
