The rise of true crime documentaries and the popularity of shows like Forensic Files should have been a clue that more filmmakers should emulate that style of program for a feature film. In the case of Strange Harvest, they emulate it so well that it all feels entirely too real. Strange Harvest tells the story of Mr. Shiny, a serial killer in the Inland Empire area of Southern California who operated from the 90s until the 2010s. It comes from writer/director Stuart Ortiz, and if you’ve ever seen any of those true crime documentaries or shows, you’ll be right at home.

Told through the lens of surveillance footage, home videos, bodycams, dashcams, and other non-movie cameras, the film is told from the testimony of the people involved with the case like Detective Joe Kirby and Detective Lexi Taylor. They’re played excellently by Peter Zizzo and Terri Apple, respectively. Mr. Shiny, the serial killer at the center of the story is played by Jessee J. Clarkson. And whew, he’s goddamn creepy.

The twists and turns of the story and a strict, steadfast attention to detail of a true crime program are really what makes Strange Harvest special though. But before we get too ahead of ourselves, here’s the Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Strange Harvest.

The Good Of Strange Harvest

Throughout Strange Harvest, there is just a feeling that everyone is on board with the concept of the film. From the cinematography, to the music, to the performances, everyone is trying their best to replicate a real true crime program. It’s just missing the commercial breaks for it to really feel like you’re actually sitting on your couch. Outside of that, Zizzo and Apple both absolutely shine in their roles. You know from minute one about who these characters are. Jessee Clarkson as Mr. Shiny is truly unnerving; it’s a performance that gets under your skin and never leaves.

It starts off following what looks like a normal, well as normal as serial killers get, serial killer. The police do investigations, but the case runs cold until Mr. Shiny comes back out of hiding. He’s meticulous, frightening, and he evades the police, sending them notes to mock them as his spree goes on. The scariest parts of Strange Harvest are all in your own head. There’s one scene, that’s in the trailer of him breaking into a teenager’s home while her parents are gone, and that’s easily the scariest. Outside of that, it’s all put on the audience to imagine just what this guy would be like.

The attention to detail and chills that Strange Harvest give you are the highlight of the excellently paced, and frightening film.

The Bad And Ugly Of Strange Harvest

Realistically, the only thing that I can complain about with Strange Harvest is that there are some logical things that don’t pass the smell test. But even then, that would be severely nitpicking. Who really cares if the police don’t notice the really tall creepy guy in the hospital where one of his victims is staying? Stranger things have happened in real-life cases. The format of the movie does make it so you don’t get quite as much time to feel out the characters, but that’s alleviated by the performances being so strong. You know exactly what kind of people these officers are, you know who the victims/survivors are.

One Of The Strongest Horror Movies Of The Year

All of it adds up to Strange Harvest being in contention for one of the strongest horror movies of the year so far. It’s a refreshing take on a genre (found footage-ish) that will draw anyone in and never let go. For fans of blood and gore, it goes a step further than the programs it emulates and shows off all the grisly details. In a year with plenty of great horror movies, Strange Harvest stands out among the pack.

Strange Harvest is in theaters now.

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