Shelby Oaks | Movie Review (A Chris Stuckmann Film | Fantastic Fest 2025)

Shelby Oaks Review

Sean Chandler reviews Shelby Oaks, Chris Stuckmann’s first feature, after seeing its world premiere at Fantastic Fest. Chandler is upfront about his personal connection to the film: he has followed Stuckmann for years, backed the project through crowdfunding, and interviewed him, so he’s rooting for it.

The story follows a woman determined to find her missing sister, even though everyone else has given up. Chandler’s biggest surprise is how effectively the film combines mockumentary, found footage, and conventional narrative. Its documentary-style opening establishes the backstory like a true-crime investigation, while recovered footage becomes part of the mystery, inviting viewers to search for clues alongside the main character. Stuckmann says the approach was partly inspired by the appeal of watching people discover things online and by his own experience of being estranged from his sister.

Chandler also praises the convincing early-YouTube atmosphere, including the use of period-appropriate cameras, and the lead performances, which make the sisters’ bond feel sincere. As the film shifts from investigation to the supernatural, it holds back on showing too much, giving its more frightening reveals extra impact.

The main caveat is that Shelby Oaks doesn’t reinvent horror. Some story beats and influences feel familiar, and viewers expecting relentless gore or a genre-defining shock may want more. The film’s roughly $1 million budget sometimes limits its horror spectacle, though Chandler also sees that constraint as encouraging effective restraint.

Overall, Chandler calls it a solid, heartfelt indie horror film and a strong first feature—not a new horror landmark, but a rewarding watch.

Grade: B Score: 7.5/10

Personalities Featured or Discussed

• Sean Chandler
• Chris Stuckmann