Obayifo Project

OBAYIFO PROJECT has one of those horror movie premises that immediately propels it to the top of my watchlist: a trio of filmmakers want to repeat and film an African Invocation Ceremony originally held 20 years earlier, which ended in a blood bath.

Exorcisms, Seances, and traditional invocations are a staple of the horror genre, and have been almost done to death (pardon the pun) in found footage movies, but a movie based on a supernatural entity of real-life African Folklore I knew nothing about until this film? Hell yeah!

Let me get straight to what this film does best: once the chain of events is set in motion and the obayifo, in this movie portrayed as a sort of African vampire-zombie, is unleashed, it makes for one hell of a scary ride. In this one respect, the movie is outstanding among found footage movies. I am a big fan of such thrill rides in found footage, and I think they do not occur nearly as often as they should in this subgenre (incidentally, the idea of a camera strapped on a monster was also used to great effect in the segment "A ride in the park" of the excellent found footage anthology V/H/S 2 (2013)).

Unfortunately, everything else falls short.

For example, many found footage movies set in exotic locales treat the audience to some of the local scenery and culture. When done well, it enhances the atmosphere and helps transport the audience to that faraway setting. INCANTATION (2022), THE MEDIUM (2021), and JERUZALEM (2015) are examples of found footage movies which are especially strong in this respect. But there is none of that here, except for some generic B-roll. I suspect the movie was not even shot in Africa. The beginning of the movie, however, was definitely shot in Spain, where the filmmakers meet the person who gives them the contact information for the shaman at an amusement park called Fort Bravo/Texas Hollywood, of all places.

Another problem concerns character development: the protagonist undergoes a rather extreme and difficult to fathom character arc, the supporting characters seem really not bright, and the shaman seems oddly unconcerned about the mortal danger to the locals, his own neighbors, his invocation might bring. His subject also seems oddly unconcerned with what might happen to him during the invocation. Even the filmmakers seem oddly unconcerned with the potential danger they wish to bring about. I find their motivations hard to understand. Even if they do not believe in supernatural entities (they don't), I would have expected them to be wary of the possibility that a person who is sincerely convinced that he is possessed might suffer a non-supernatural psychotic episode that poses a danger to others.

There is also a problem with too much shaky cam, too little lighting and really bad CGI, which partially took me out of the film. The footage of the original invocation is teased but what is shown of it is disappointing.

Finally, the ending is not good. An implausible and poorly shot final sequence (where was the security camera footage?) is followed by one of the most cliche epilogues one could think of.

This film could have been so much better if all these other aspects had been attended to with greater care and more money. However, I think many found footage fans will still love this movie for its thrill ride.

If there's one thing Obayifo Project does exceptionally well, it's immersing the viewer in a deeply unsettling atmosphere. Paco Arasanz takes the found-footage formula and elevates it with masterful storytelling, crafting a horror experience that is as unnerving as it is thought-provoking.

One of the film's strongest aspects is its use of African mythology. The legend of the Obayifo isn't just window dressing-it's woven into the film's DNA. This cultural depth adds a layer of authenticity rarely seen in mainstream horror films.

The cinematography and sound design work in tandem to create an overwhelming sense of dread. Every creak, shadow, and sudden cut feels deliberate, adding to the psychological torment. The performances are also top-notch, making the fear feel utterly real.

Fans of slow-burn horror will be captivated, while those seeking an adrenaline rush will be rewarded by the film's final act. Obayifo Project is proof that found-footage horror, when done right, can be a truly haunting experience.

This one took me by surprise and ticked all the boxes for my found footage addiction. Had a great premise and characters that I never got tired of following. Too often with found footage, I get tired of the same cookie-cutter characters doing stupid things and screaming at the camera for 90 minutes straight, but this one didn't get tiring or wear thin and the atmosphere and sense of mystery really kept me engaged throughout.

Without going into spoilers, I also liked that it did some interesting and unexpected things that made it feel more real for me in terms of character's reactions and plot twists.

Nowadays, you have to say "not for everyone" since people's reactions are too extreme, but if you're a fan of this genre then I highly recommend finding a way to check this one out.

This is just an inauthentic Mexican version of the Blair Witch Project, mixed with a lot of first person video gaming sequences. I didn't get scared or whatsoever, I got nostalgic and laughed a lot. It does have the same plot, the 3 students with the first person recording, i don't understand how it got 7.0 on rank and online I saw it have 9.9 crazy right? Looking forward to see more.

This is just an inauthentic Mexican version of the Blair Witch Project, mixed with a lot of first person video gaming sequences. I didn't get scared or whatsoever, I got nostalgic and laughed a lot. It does have the same plot, the 3 students with the first person recording, i don't understand how it got 7.0 on rank and online I saw it have 9.9 crazy right? Looking forward to see more.

Honestly, I didn't know what to expect from Obayifo Project, but it completely pulled me in. It's one of those indie horror films that, despite its budget limitations, manages to create an eerie atmosphere and keep you hooked from start to finish.

The best thing about it is how it uses found-footage without falling into the usual clichés. It feels authentic, almost like a documentary, making the story seem real. Plus, the fact that it explores Obayifo mythology-something rarely seen in horror films-gives it a fresh and unique touch.

That said, it's not perfect. There are moments when the pacing slows down a bit, and some scenes could have been more impactful with better lighting or editing. But honestly, that doesn't take away from the film's strengths. What it achieves with such limited resources is impressive, and the horror here isn't just about cheap jump scares but a constant sense of dread.

All in all, Obayifo Project is a great surprise. If you enjoy horror movies that try something different and can appreciate independent filmmaking, this one is definitely worth watching.