Clocking in at a little under an hour, this very much feels like the sort of film to have on just for some background noise.
The premise is somewhat tired and whilst there is a nod to Gogol's tale the formula follows many other low budget found footage movies, just not very frightening. There isn't even much in the way of jump scares (which to be clear I think is a cheap way to try and ramp up tension).
However whilst there isn't much of a fear factor (I'm a big fan of suggestive horror rather than bucket loads of gore) the thing that lets this film down is the acting. In particular the male lead and his partner/girlfriend. The over the top, in your face obnoxiousness (which may even be intentional) is irritating to the point that when they disappear about 2/3 of the way into the film I'm fairly confident most viewers would genuinely be quite pleased about it.
If this were a comedy then it would be a little more forgiveable, but it isn't, and the remaining female lead is left to carry the closing sequences. Due to the poor attempt to link this to a classic piece of literature and poor script it doesn't build to anything resembling an impactive climax. There is simply nothing original or surprising here.
There is much better out there waiting for found footage junkies.
The premise is somewhat tired and whilst there is a nod to Gogol's tale the formula follows many other low budget found footage movies, just not very frightening. There isn't even much in the way of jump scares (which to be clear I think is a cheap way to try and ramp up tension).
However whilst there isn't much of a fear factor (I'm a big fan of suggestive horror rather than bucket loads of gore) the thing that lets this film down is the acting. In particular the male lead and his partner/girlfriend. The over the top, in your face obnoxiousness (which may even be intentional) is irritating to the point that when they disappear about 2/3 of the way into the film I'm fairly confident most viewers would genuinely be quite pleased about it.
If this were a comedy then it would be a little more forgiveable, but it isn't, and the remaining female lead is left to carry the closing sequences. Due to the poor attempt to link this to a classic piece of literature and poor script it doesn't build to anything resembling an impactive climax. There is simply nothing original or surprising here.
There is much better out there waiting for found footage junkies.