By Becca Johnson September 26, 2024
As technology progresses, the found footage sub-genre has found plenty of ways to adapt. From the early days of shaky cams to todays Mac computer screens, it’s a medium that continues to develop with the times. The newest addition into the fan-favorite sub genre is What Happened to Dorothy Bell?, which makes its mark by utilising online therapy sessions, old home video tapes and more to tell its story. It stars horror alumni Lisa Wilcox (A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise) alongside Michael Hargrove (Candyman, 2021) and Asya Meadows as lead character Ozzie, who dares to delve into the past to see what can be found.
Utilising its modest budget to craft effective scares alongside a succinct storyline and great performances, What Happened to Dorothy Bell? is a competent found footage horror flick that whilst feels too slow in places, certainly manages to crawl under your skin.
Synopsis
Ozzie Gray video documents her investigation into the traumatic events from her early childhood, which involved her late grandmother, Dorothy Bell.
Review
What makes this film as effective as it is, low budget and limitations aside, are the different styles of found footage involved. The movie starts with some very creepy home video-style clips that perfectly set the tone, introduces its paranormal flair and gives us enough background information to get us invested. We know from those first few frames that something wasn’t quite right with Dorothy back then, and its enough to send a shiver down your spine. As the run-time progresses, the footage is presented through home security cameras, phone cameras and even laptop screens during online therapy sessions. Reminiscent of sister films Searching (2018) and Missing (2023) in the way it appears to take place on one screen, it consistently keeps things interesting by employing different methods of showing us Ozzie’s journey to the truth. Complimenting the exemplary found footage style are the horror elements, that whilst do feel a little few and far between, certainly deliver nonetheless. With objects moving in the background, well crafted jump scares, creepy dialogue and jarring distorted facial expressions, there’s plenty in here for horror fans to chew on. What Happened to Dorothy Bell? manages to hit surprisingly high on the scare scale, even with its occasionally subpar visual effects. It makes full use of its format.
There’s more to this found footage flick than scare tactics - the story is fantastic. Exploring familial bonds through Ozzie’s loving yet tainted relationship with her grandmother Dorothy, the script has a lot to say regarding our memories of loved ones, our stop-at-nothing approach to find out what happened to them and our drive to keep their memories alive. These ideas are explored superbly through the character of Ozzie, played beautifully by newcomer Asya Meadows. Meadows delivers an understated yet emotional turn, and what makes them all the more likable is their self awareness. The idea of mental health is toyed with, and despite being a little under-explored, attending Ozzie’s therapy sessions alongside them is both unique and empowering. Having a character that’s so open about their mental health adds to the depth of the story and its characters, whilst providing something that many viewers will be able to relate to. The supporting performances are also great, particularly from horror alumni Lisa Wilcox as Robin Connelly and Michael Hargrove as Darren Gray. They do well with their minimal screen time.
What stops What Happened to Dorothy Bell? from hitting a home run is its slow nature, which is certainly a hindrance with a run-time this snappy. Utilising long sequences that often feel drawn out longer than they need to be, the film feels slow in places, with plenty of sequences not having much to offer in terms of scares or plot progression. At 80 minutes, it doesn’t overstay its welcome, yet it’s easy to pinpoint which scenes could’ve been shaved down or cut out entirely. There are definitely times in which this slowness works, as it forces you to take note of the empty space in the background and looming eerie tone surrounding you, but in other instances, it’s paced poorly enough to lose you from its clutches. With a story this deep and with much potential, it’s a shame that more of the run-time wasn’t focussed on developing it - especially where the important theme of mental health is concerned.
Whilst What Happened to Dorothy Bell? isn’t completely devoid of plot holes, slow sequences and occasional predictability, it manages to surprise with it’s consistently creepy atmosphere, unique story and fantastic cinematography. The found footage style of filmmaking is exemplary, and the performances deliver the material well. It may not be the most memorable or ground-breaking of the sub-genre, but is an addition worth watching.
Star Rating
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