Ever since the success of 'The Blair Witch Project', it's become a trope of modern cinema, that moment when some unwitting bystanders come across a random recording, and uncover the secrets, thrills and downright horrors that have gone before.
This month's 'Devil's Due' taps into this popular way of story-telling. After a mysterious, lost night on their honeymoon, a newlywed couple (actors Allison Miller, Zach Gilford) finds themselves dealing with an earlier-than-planned pregnancy. While recording everything for posterity, the husband begins to notice odd behavior in his wife that they initially write off to nerves,
To celebrate the release of Radio Silence’s 'found footage' horror movie, we’re taking a look at ten great moments in the use of found footage, across films, TV and adverts. Which one is your creepiest?
10 Great 'Found Footage' Moments
The Blair Witch Project (1999)(01 of10)
In a nutshell: It’s THE quintessential found footage movie, presented entirely as “found” to the point where people weren’t convinced they hadn’t witnessed a murder, even after the credits rolled. Cast with unknown actors, the film explored the legend of The Blair Witch, leading the three documentarians deep into the woods, losing their way and their minds.The Moment: SPOILER (but if you haven’t seen it by now, come on!). After building tension for the entire film, never letting us quite see what we’re afraid of, Heather finds her way into the cellar of the abandoned house in the woods. Standing, facing the corner is her friend Michael, a moment that’s so incredibly creepy as it calls back to the stories of child murder told previously in the film.
District 9 (2009)(02 of10)
In a nutshell: Sharlto Copley plays Wikus van de Merwe, an agent with MNU Alien Affairs in Neil Blomkamp’s sci fi thriller 'District 9', a bluntly allegorical tale about racism and apartheid in South Africa. The moment: Many of scenes in 'District 9' are set up like a documentary, with Wikus as the star. It jumps between docu and drama-style storytelling. It’s early on in the film, when Wikus leads the film crew around the alien camps, gleefully pointing out when the creatures are on fire they sound “like popcorn popping” that you get a real shiver down the spine.
Apollo 18 (2011)(03 of10)
In a nutshell: The last manned mission to the Moon is officially known as Apollo 17, but a secret mission named Apollo 18 was sent up, unbeknownst to the public and under false pretences. The only evidence that remains are these tapes recently declassified tapes (of course it’s all fiction, but a fantastic Sci-Fi horror premise).The Moment: Our astronauts go on a moon walk and find footsteps that don’t belong to them… They’re not alone…
Apple ‘Misunderstood’ ad (2013)(04 of10)
In a nutshell: Moving away from TV and films, the world of marketing has cottoned on to the fact that moments presented as real (no matter how fabricated) can have a big effect on people’s pockets. Apple where no different, creating an ad called ‘Misunderstood’, about an apparently grumpy teen glued to his phone during a family-filled Christmas visit.The moment: The family are gathered on Christmas Day, and the surly teen steps towards the telly. Just when we think he’s chosen TV over his family, he plays a short, heart-warming film he’s made about them, all secretly filmed on his phone. The moment just after the film has finished and his family start to understand him. Pass the tissues.
V/H/S (2012)(05 of10)
In a Nutshell: 'V/H/S' is an anthology of found footage horror movies, all tied together by a story which finds four guys breaking into a house and discovering a motionless old man in a room filled with VHS tapes. The final tape they watch (made by Devil’s Due’s Radio Silence) sees four friends going to a Halloween party in a house that’s been dressed up to look haunted. Thing is… it’s really haunted.The Moment: When the friends reach the attic to find a ritual sacrifice of a young, sobbing women taking place. Thinking it’s all part of act they join in the chanting, but they quickly find out that it’s not fun and games. Excellent moment in a neat little horror story.
F.R.I.E.N.D.S- The One with the Prom Video (1996)(06 of10)
In a nut shell: It’s Season Two and our dear friends are still struggling with either their careers, their love lives, or both. After lots of back and forth and miss-timed affection between Ross and Rachel, an old video tape reveals that Ross has been there for Rachel from the beginning.The moment: Ross and Monica’s parents capture Prom Night on video tape, but unwittingly capture Ross’ true feelings for his little sister’s best friend, Rachel. When Rachel’s date lets her down, Ross gets spruces up his ‘fro and puts on his Dad’s suit to escort her to the prom. When Rachel’s date turns up and everyone rushes out the front door, Ross is devastated. Fast forward to today, and Rachel is so moved by the kind gesture she never even knew about, she kisses Ross, and everyone rejoices! He’s her lobster!
Eastenders (2007)(07 of10)
In a nutshell: Found footage shenanigans aren’t confined to the movies. The ‘caught on camera’ plot device is a tried and tested one, and nowhere better than in a classic soap opera context. Characters involved in weeks of wrong doing finally get outed in a climactic and public moment via method of a sneaky hidden camera, leading to a satisfying bust up for audiences.The moment: The epic love in and fall out of the Brannings and the Slaters. Despite being engaged to Bradley, Stacey has been carrying on with his Dad, Max, behind his back, right up until her wedding day. Fast forward to Christmas time, and Max’s daughter Lauren gives the family a movie to remember; a DVD of Stacey and Max in a compromising position. Classic festive Eastenders.
Cloverfield (2008)(08 of10)
In a nutshell: JJ Abrams knows how to produce a movie. Leaving audiences with nothing but the title for months before release, people were none the wiser as to what to expect. What they got was a clever found footage monster movie, all taking place in New York on NYE and filmed by revellers just trying to capture a special evening.The Moment: When the Statue of Liberty’s head flies down the street and skids to a stop right by the panicked party goers. Lots of onlookers pause to take pictures with their phones. Well, wouldn’t you?
Chronicle (2012)(09 of10)
In a nutshell: Seattle teenagers Andrew, Matt and Steve gain telekinetic powers after a freak encounter with a subterranean entity. First they use their newfound powers for fun, then for personal gain, then things get dark…The Moment: When Andrew (Dane DeHaan) starts to use his powers to harm his bullies, he gets a taste for darker things. His speech about natural selection is his true Superhero Villain origin moment; “The lion does not feel guilty when it kills a gazelle. You do not feel guilty when you squash a fly… I think that means something.” And then he crushes a car with his mind.
Devil’s Due (2014)(10 of10)
In a nutshell: Zach and Allison are newly married, very much in love and dealing with the everyday relationship problems that you and I experience. Except that they’re pregnant with the devil’s spawn. Awkward.The Moment: When a group of ne’er do well kids messing about in the woods happen upon Allison, bent over a dead deer. They ask if she’s OK, but when she turns to face them, blood spattered and elbows deep in a deer carcass, it’s clear she’s NOT OK. What follows is a truly chilling moment when the power inside her starts to reveal itself. Devil’s Due is released in UK cinemas on 16 January.
'Devil's Due' is in UK cinemas from 16 January. Watch our spooky clip below of when the footage is 'found'...