The Mitchin Murders

I had read the reviews for this film which has been getting a lot of press from social media. Some reviews good, some reviews bad, so I thought its definitely time for me to give this a go. First of all I would like to say that I am a slasher movie / proper horror fan so this was definitely more on the myster/thriller side for me, which wasn't quite what I was expecting after the beginning sequence, but I have to say it was well crafted. Its based on interviews around the town which are well acted , the 'ninetiesness' of the camera can get in the way sometimes. Its probably better to use a high res camera and then add 90s grain (my film geek coming out) . Somebody reviewed it on TikTok and said that the shots were amateur looking - they are supposed to be its supposed to be an amateur documentary! - The ending I wasn't expecting and that's why I think this was smart. So yeah not my usual tastes but somebody had to call out that this is a good effort.

So, the premise is a couple of journalists that go investigating murders in a town in Iowa. It's definitely a found footage deal and its set in the 90s. The concept isn't anything majorly new but I like the premise of the interviews. I think some die hard horror people have criticised this and thought that it was just filler and maybe there should be a few more jumps, but to be fair, all the interviews unravel something so they are integral. I think this is definitely not one for people who want to see shocking, crazy horror, but for mystery people like me I found it simple , slick and love the 90s vibe. Nobody seems to mentioning the acting which I think is really great all round , in fact I have seldom seen a horror film this low budget with good acting. Georgie Mcguigan really carries what must be a difficult role well and the smaller characters are good. They probably went a little too far on the raw camera work to be honest which can be a bit of a nuisance but there are some what seems to be HD scenes mixed in and you feel that you are watching something really cool.

I love a detective story and a mystery and I was gripped by the beginning sequence in this film. Its a film that definitely punches above its low budget wait and I enjoyed watching the film unravel. I guess I got confused a couple of times with what was going on and some of the shots take the low quality thing a bit too far.

But overall I was pleasantly surprised, the acting was great from the girls (and the boys) and this director, I believe the name is Jamie B-Debbage or Jamie Bolton-Debbage, whatever it is there is a talent there. Quite a lot of interviews I can see why that might be annoying if you are looking for horror horror but that's not me. Loved the ending, wasn't expecting it - great and fun little Indie flick.

Ok maybe it's because I like the 90's but I find this film cute and nostalgic and I really loved the opening sequence and the soundtrack of the first song. I feel that the cast were beautiful and vibrant. Maybe its because I saw an interview on how they made this and how they had to get through Covid etc and I could have rated it either an 8 or a 7 but yeah its really good straightforward and I didn't expect that twist. This is a fist in your face horror , maybe the grain on Tubi is a little blurry and they took it a bit far but maybe it could have been uploaded with a higher res but I felt cool watching it and it shows that indie films still have beauty.

Really quite liked this film. They have gone hardcore on the 90s VHS vibe, I think it may have even be filmed on one of those old school VHS cameras to be honest. That is a take it or leave it thing I would say but I guess I can see how some people may not like it. The plot is not a crazy scary horror, this is a mystery horror, so don't go expecting a death a minute because its a lot of interviews but I don't need loads of deaths. Its pretty slick and clever and the pace is good. But what makes it great are the actors, the acting is fantastic , all the main characters are great with no weak link . Definitely worth a watch if you want a simple super 90s mystery - horror.