PopHorror Let's Get Scared
I’ve always loved found footage horror films. They bring a sense of realism and can actually be really creative. When I stumbled upon Chupacabra Territory, it seemed to have all of the ingredients for a good found footage film.
(Synopsis provided by IMDb.com):
Four friends hike into the Pinewood Forest to find evidence of the Chupacabra, an ancient creature believed to be responsible for the disappearance of four experienced hikers a year earlier. As they journey deeper into the forest, their innocent search uncovers more than they had ever hoped for, and with it, a darkness that threatens to consume their very existence. One by one, they are hunted down, their survival is tested, and their lives hang in the balance of fear, friendship, disbelief, and horror.
Chupacabra Territory was Matt McWilliams’ directorial debut. It wasn’t bad for his first film. This movie reminds horror lovers of the Goat Sucker, bringing a good adaptation of the legend and adding a few of its own elements to make it unique.
What Works
Chupacabra Territory has an intriguing story and events that were very reminiscent of The Blair Witch Project, which is a plus in my book because I loved that film. The camera work and special effects were also well done. I thought some of the camera shots were ridiculous at first, but then I remembered that vloggers and filmmakers actually go out of their way for the perfect camera shot, so it actually started to make sense. The actors had great chemistry and were very believable as friends. Bringing witchcraft into the mix was an especially nice touch.
What Didn’t Work
The character of Morgan (Alex Hayek) irked me. I believe he was supposed to be the comic relief, but he just came off as whiny and annoying. It’s never really explained why he tagged along in the first place since he “hates camping, hates filmmaking, and hates chupacabras.” He also tried to be the voice of reason near the end but, considering his attitude, it’s very believable that they wouldn’t listen to him. However, Alex Hayek did a fantastic job playing this character! Like many found footage horror films, Chupacabra Territory was very beautifully edited, which never makes sense and loses the realism. However, editing needs to be done… otherwise the movie would be hours long and be full of boring filler, so, I can’t really complain too much.
Final Thoughts
Chupacabra Territory earned a 3.6 on IMDb. I don’t think that’s a fair score for this film. It has a good story that kept my attention. I believe that fans of The Blair Witch Project and chupacabras would definitely like this film!
