Shadow People (film)

Plot

The film begins with a series of videos posted to YouTube, with users of the website relating their experiences with unexplained sightings. Later, radio talk show host Charlie Crowe (Dallas Roberts) becomes convinced that mysterious nocturnal entities known as shadow people are responsible for a spate of deaths in his hometown. He is joined by CDC investigator Sophie Lacombe (Alison Eastwood), who seeks a more rational explanation.

Cast

Production

Shadow People was filmed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Events depicted in the film are set in Cambodia in 1979 and in Eastern Kentucky in 1971 and 2008.

The film mixes dramatisations with real and faux archival footage. The faux archival footage includes interviews with people who are depicted in the dramatisations. The real archival footage includes segments from the 2008 web documentary Your Worst Nightmare.

The film is dedicated to victims of Sudden Unexpected Nocturnal Death Syndrome (SUNDS).

Release

The film premiered at the Marché du Film in Cannes in 2012. It was released direct-to-video on March 19, 2013.

Reception

Matt Molgaard of Best Horror Movies wrote, "This is a stirring flick, and in truth, I’d be holding back if I called Shadow People anything other than an outstanding success that far exceeded expectations...Shadow People has already established itself as one of 2013’s most inspired efforts." David Maine of Pop Matters wrote, "Shadow People is a spooky little movie that could have been much spookier, but still makes good use of its limited means to convey an unsettling story." Ain't It Cool News declared "it made me think twice about turning on the light as I went to bed. Any film that does that is a winner in my book." Brad McHargue of Dread Central rated the film 1.5/5 stars and called the film "novel and ambitious" but too messy to fulfill the potential of the premise. Pat Torfe of Bloody Disgusting rated the film 2.5/5 stars. Torfe said that Shadow People lacks balance and "doesn't know what it is." Thomas Marcum of The Crypto Crew said "the movie is well done all the way around and well worth watching".