Erie (2026) Review: Brooklyn Horror Film Fest
Found footage is one of those genres that changes and evolves along with society. Films like Megan Is Missing focused on the consequences of chatting with strangers online. As technology evolved from the use of video cameras, we saw more screenlife style films like Unfriended. And now, in a time where people thrive off of true crime and mysteries, it makes sense to make a found footage film about someone doing just that.
In Erie, we meet a sibling duo, Stella (Carly Stewart) and Oscar (Grant Carter), who are making a video documenting what they've uncovered about their town and a recent string of suicides. We follow the pair as they investigate the deaths as they get closer to finally revealing what is behind what is plaguing their town. Stella and Oscar believe that what's been happening in Erie isn't people deciding to take their own lives, but that there is something, or someone, causing them-- pushing them to their end. What the police don't know is that the siblings have a tape of their own, one with their sister on it. Directed and co-written by Alison-Eve Hammersly, the film has remnants of the found footage vibe of The Blair Witch Project, leaning on the characters to do the heavy lifting while delivering a suspenseful ending that takes place in the woods.
During their investigation, they meet Red (Ryan Garcia), who claims to be one of the victims' boyfriend. While meeting them at his house, you can't help but feel like you're watching a clip from Mark Duplass' Creep. When the three of them meet up again, it's in the woods. And this is where everything comes to a head, leading into a final act that changes everything about the film. The performances up to this point made the film what it was. Stella and Oscar felt like siblings trying to work together. Then there is a shift that happens near the end, and the performances fall flat, which only adds to the disappointing conclusion.
Erie presents itself as a familiar contribution to the found footage genre. It almost has a nostalgic feel to it, taking me back to the films that made me love the genre. Then somewhere along the way, it tries to be something else which takes away from what came before. Hammersley's approach feels authentic and exhibits a care for the found footage genre. However, the third act falls short, giving us a disappointing end to otherwise strong storytelling.