Found Footage: The Making of the Patterson Project (2025) – Movie Review: Chaos, Comedy & Cryptids Collide
Release Date, Genre & Key Info
Release Date: June 20, 2025 (theatrical), June 24 (digital)
Genre: Comedy Horror / Mockumentary
Runtime: 1 hour 29 minutes
Director: Max Tzannes
Distributor: Vertical Entertainment
Starring: Brennan Keel Cook, Erika Vetter, Suzanne Ford
Watch the Official Trailer
Overview
Found Footage: The Making of the Patterson Project is a fresh and chaotic blend of found footage horror and mockumentary-style comedy that takes a wild swing at indie filmmaking, Bigfoot myths, and demonic possession—all in one 89-minute ride. Produced by Radio Silence (Ready or Not, Abigail), this genre-bending film is equal parts meta satire, absurdist humor, and genuine horror, making it one of the most unique horror-comedy releases of 2025.
Plot Summary: Found Footage: The Making of the Patterson Project (2025)
The story follows Chase (played hilariously by Brennan Keel Cook), an overconfident yet underqualified indie filmmaker with dreams of creating the world’s best found footage horror film. With the help of his girlfriend Natalie (Erika Vetter), and a misfit crew, Chase begins shooting a Bigfoot horror film in a broken-down cabin in the woods.
What begins as a messy, low-budget movie shoot quickly descends into supernatural madness. Between a delusional investor (Suzanne Ford), casting chaos involving mistaken celebrity identities, and bizarre production mishaps—including real threats from a possibly demonic force—the line between fiction and reality blurs. As strange events unfold, the crew realizes they might be living through their own cursed found footage horror movie.
Themes & Style: Found Footage: The Making of the Patterson Project (2025)
This film isn’t just a send-up of found footage tropes—it’s a loving, chaotic tribute to indie horror and the madness of microbudget film production. The tone shifts cleverly from light-hearted parody to genuinely unsettling territory, echoing classics like The Blair Witch Project, This Is Spinal Tap, and Cabin in the Woods.
Mockumentary humor in the first half builds empathy with the cast, while the second half leans into Lovecraftian horror, demonic possession, and cursed texts. It’s this unexpected tonal pivot that gives Patterson Project its bite—and staying power.
Performances & Direction
- Brennan Keel Cook is the standout, portraying Chase as both likable and laughably naive.
- Suzanne Ford as Betsy, the obsessed financier who believes Alan Rickman is still alive, adds surreal charm.
- Erika Vetter plays the rational voice amid madness and anchors the story emotionally.
Director Max Tzannes brings a sharp eye for both satire and suspense, guiding the movie from campy laughs to unnerving terror without losing momentum. His real-world experience in indie filmmaking bleeds into the script, making the satire feel brutally honest and wildly entertaining.
What Works – and What Doesn’t
Pros:
- Original concept that blends genres successfully
- Smart writing and self-aware humor
- Genuinely creepy final act
- Clever industry commentary for film lovers
Cons:
- May confuse viewers expecting straight horror
- The humor won’t land for everyone
- Some secondary characters lack depth
Final Verdict
Found Footage: The Making of the Patterson Project is a wild, weird ride that pokes fun at the chaos of low-budget filmmaking while slowly unraveling into a true horror experience. With clever writing, standout performances, and an unpredictable tone, it’s the rare horror comedy that delivers laughs and scares in equal measure.
Whether you’re a horror buff, mockumentary fan, or indie film lover, this is a hidden gem worth watching.
⭐️ Rating: 4/5 – Smart, silly, and seriously spooky in all the best ways.
