The Oldest View

This "movie" was reviewed by slashfilm as the scariest film of 2023. Dude actually said he had to pause it and walk around because it was so scary. Let me tell you, as a person who devours horror like mosquitoes devour people in Florida, this is NOT scary. At all. It's badly done found footage that doesn't make any sense, doesn't answer any questions, and doesn't really offer anything other than "well that's different". This is a YouTube movie (in 3 parts) about a vlogger trespassing on private property when he finds a hole under a tree that leads to stairs. He follows the stairs. He finds what appears to be an abandoned mall. Things happen. That's about it. I'm claustrophobic and not even that aspect of this made me uncomfortable, it's just so ridiculously far fetched I don't even know where to begin. I won't say there's not a story here...maybe there is, but realistically this isn't a movie so much as it is an art film showing off a dead mall. As a found footage junkie I've seen so many FF movies, some decent, some terrible, some I wished I'd never seen (looking straight at you Megan Is Missing and Leaving D. C.). The biggest pitfall in FF is WHY ARE THEY STILL FILMING. In most movies it's because the camera provides light to see in the dark whatevers (typically woods) but unfortunately this movie provides no motive once it actually starts GETTING somewhere for him to continue holding his phone in such a perfect way that we can see everything. There's literally no reason for him to be filming with his phone while he's running through corridors and such, but he is! It's lazy cinematography and it annoys me that the director/writer/whoever clearly paid to get attention and favorable reviews put up. This was an hour of my life I kinda want back, because the only thing scary about this movie is how boring it was.

This movie/episode is one of the best horrors I've seen. It had great lore behind it. Outstanding that Kane Animated this himself and perfectly replicated it. It made me feel as if I were in a nightmare. I personal have a theory that the spirit of the man that this statue is based off of is possessing the rolling giant and you can see the spirit poking his head out from different corners. The Dallas mall rolling giant project actual feels like something I learned in art class before for some reason. I love what horror comes with the forgotten or the past. Good job Kane you never disappoint can't what for the backrooms movie.

At the time of writing this review, there are 3 episodes of The Oldest View. This will be updated as more episodes get added.

First episode: This is a great starter, doesn't give much away but gives plenty to work with. The cinematography and colour scheme are incredible, with the contrast of the greyer colours and green colours creating lots of questions, which is also hard to pull off, so props to Kane. The rest of the video is simply a panning out of someone making some sort of mask out of cardboard. Leaving us with many questions, and somewhat suspense as to where Kane will lead with this next.

Second Episode: This one is (in my opinion) a lot more exciting and gives us the biggest hints so far in the series. We're introduced to Wyatt, a vlogger who found something he shouldn't have found. A hole in the ground, but steps that lead down and down and down? The CGI here is impeccable, I literally couldn't tell it was until I read a comment later. He goes down and down the steps where it gets darker and darker, the steps also become more worn and chipped, creating suspense as to what this staircase was used by. He also says how the area should be flooded due to recent raining, yet the steps are bone dry, almost a sign of paranormal activity. He then reaches a door, in which I prepared for a Jumpscare, yet there was none, and instead an empty mall playing music, to where the video ends. The suspense throughout is immaculate and I really vibe with it.

Third Episode: This is by far the best episode now. The suspense that Kane keeps throughout this is unreal along with the setting itself. The models are creepy and by far one of, if not the best production I have ever seen in a YouTube video. The tensions keeps you on the end of your seat throughout the whole video, especially the monster which appears unable to do things, however changes, almost as if trolling Kane. The storyline is great and each moment kept my heart racing. I felt that this episode was perfectly crafted as well as an unreal plot twist, which moved my rating up from a 9 to a 10. He's by far one of the best upcoming directors of this generation and I can't wait to see what else he has in store.

(Edit:) I've noticed a negative review stating that Kane paid me to put this review up?? This is completely untrue, and I just highly enjoy the series and been interested in Kane's work for a long time. I doubt Kane even knows I exist. I also wouldn't take any advice from them considering they have 2 reviews and both being negative. Also, this isn't meant to be a high production value film, it's meant to be a single person project which he makes off of donations. Anyway yeah that's my edit of this review. (I hope Kane makes a part 4!!!)

This series captures the liminal suspenseful uneasy feeling even better than Kane's Backrooms series. You can clearly see that he has put detail into every single shot. It's amazing how he created this with CGI. It's hard to spot the difference between the animation and real life. I also like how this is based on a real story. A lot of effort was put in the backstory of the dying mall and especially in the "Giants" and the botanist behind it.

Kane again showed what he is capable of and I am really looking forward to the upcoming Backrooms movie from him with A24 studios. And of course other future projects.

I love that this creator is making videos with stand alone stories. It was nice to watch a short movie based on one liminal location and one looming presence. The creature is a constant looming threat even when it is not on screen. You are truly being pressed with tension and atmosphere. The liminal space is masterly constructed. Using a mall is extremly smart because of the huge empyy space that we get to explore with the main character. We start of feeling lonely and isolated but when the monster is introduced it becomes a game of cat and mouse that creates a completely new vibe. It's a bit of a slower video but so worth it. I was locked in the whole video and would truly recommend it to anyone. This vhs format is also excellent for this because it truly feels like you are in this situation and it's terrifying.