Within the realm of the horror genre, there are a vast multitude of subgenres and troupes that are capable of reaching the crannies of just about anyone’s mind, ensuring that not one person is left without a source of fear. Found footage is one such genre that takes the approach of incorporating its viewers into the narrative of the film, thus creating a realism-induced paranoia that is sure to scare even the most veteran of horror aficionados.

Found footage is executed exactly how it sounds. Typically, a type of video footage is discovered and played after the fact of some kind of notable event. The genre made its first advances in the early eighties with the Italian horror film “Cannibal Holocaust” being one of its first iterations. However, the found footage style didn't blow up until the late nineties following the release of the “Blair Witch Project.”

The “Blair Witch Project” was a game-changer for the found footage genre, the unapologetically dodgy camera work paired with a disinteresting dialogue only more clearly solidified the ‘real-life’ authenticity of the film, each act of low-budget looking cinematography, portraying the intensifying bonafide panic and irrationality of its characters. The success of this project resulted in a phenomenon of found footage film productions in the early 2000s, allowing studios to produce successful box office busters with a smaller budget and lesser crew. This sensation resulted in the “Paranormal Activity” franchise yet died soon afterward.

As audiences became tired of the same old grainy CCT film and predictable plots, directors had to get with the times to continue to keep the genre alive. Thus found footage took a new approach of incorporating our ever-invasive obsession with social media and technology as the new troupe of the genre, giving way to films such as “Unfriended” and '“Host.” While there are many widely known films that have risen from the genre, due to their versatility and budget flexibility, there's a world of unnerving films that will have you continually needing to remind yourself, they're not real.

BE MY CAT: A FILM FOR ANNE - Adrian Tofei, 2015

“Be My Cat” is undoubtedly one of the most disturbing films in existence and upon finishing it, it's unlikely you'll be entirely convinced that it isn't actually real. The film stars the Romanian filmmaker, Adrian Tofei himself, as he goes to extreme lengths to prove to Anne Hatheway that she belongs in one of his films. Everything about this film is too intimate and authentic, making it impossible to believe that there is no truth to the performance. “Be My Cat” portrays an almost too genuine performance of the demented spiral in the development of a serial killer, providing a deeply uncomfortable glimpse into obsession and mania.

Let's hope Anne Hatheway has a restraining order in place.

2. NOROI: THE CURSE - Koji Shiraishi, 2005

“Noroi” takes the form of a VHS-filmed documentary. In the midst of researching a string of seemingly unrelated paranormal incidents, an occult expert begins to uncover the connection of these events to an ancient demon—and then he goes missing, leaving behind only what’s presented to the audience.

“Noroi” evokes similarities to the style of Blair Witch, but with the lore and gore that Japanese cinema is known for.

3. THE TAKING OF DEBORAH LOGAN - Adam Robitel, 2014

Initially portrayed as a tragic medical documentary on Alzheimer's patients and their descent into dementia, “The Taking of Deborah Logan” centers on the favoured trope of possession. Deborah Logan, the central character of this medical documentary is, of course, no normal Alzheimer's patient and shortly after beginning their production, the team begins to realize this. The film is disturbing yet tragic and does a great job of creating an unnerving atmosphere through the portrayal of Deborah's increasingly unpredictable behaviour.

4. LAKE MUNGO - Joel Anderson, 2008

“Lake Mungo” almost plays out the way Twin Peaks would, were it made into a documentary-style film. The film blends complex emotions of dread, through sombre and unnerving scenes while portraying an intuitive commentary on the film as a 'medium' of memory. The story follows the Palmer family as they seek closure from the mysterious drowning of sixteen-year-old Alice Palmer, yet uncover instead the secret double life she led.

5. AFFLICTED - Derek Lee, Cliff Prose, 2013

Adding more realism to the film, director duo Derek Lee and Cliff Prose become the stars of this narrative. The story follows the two as they embark on a year-long backpacking trip for their web series “Ends of the Earth” and also as the last wish of Derek who has a terminal illness that could kill him at any time. As the two enjoy their travels, things take a turn when Derek suddenly wakes up disoriented and bloody. Soon after, he begins to experience strange symptoms such as a sudden aversion to the sun and a sudden onset of superhuman strength. Racing against the clock the two attempt to overcome this freak illness before it consumes them.

6. GONJIAM HAUNTED ASYLUM - Jung Bum-Shik, 2018

“Gonjiam Haunted Asylum” is a clear protege of the “Blair Witch Project,” yet takes the relevant approach of speaking on the lengths that social media stars will go to achieve success. In hopes of reeling in a big payday, a horror-web series team recruits members to conduct what they hope to be their biggest live stream yet. Once they arrive at the Asylum things start to go wrong, and the team begins to realize that their subscribers aren't the only ones watching them. “Gonjiam Haunted Asylum” remains one of the highest-grossing horror films ever in South Korea.

7. HOST - Rob Savage, 2020

Released in the early stages of the pandemic, “Host” portrays a chilling tale of a Zoom seance gone wrong. Four friends meet for their weekly Zoom get-together and decide to spice things up through the invitation of a psychic medium. When one friend makes a detrimental spiritual offence with the intention to play a prank, things turn deadly.

8. THE POUGHKEEPSIE TAPES John Eric Dowdle, 2009

“The Poughkeepsie Tapes” can definitely be considered runner-up on this list for the most disturbingly believable presentation. Shot in the style of a mockumentary, the film portrays the police's discovery of ten corpses buried in the backyard of a home in Poughkeepsie, New York. Once the home is infiltrated, over 800 tapes are discovered exhibiting every gruesome detail of the stalking, kidnapping, torture and eventual murder of each victim.