Shubhabrata Dutta
Found footage is a form of presenting a movie where it seems that what we see has been shot by one of the main characters in the film with a camera held in his/her hand. This adds a layer of realism to the narrative. While found footage seems most effective in horror movies, there are other kinds of movies that, too, use the technique. Found footage can be in the form of old recordings of events, memories made and saved, and more. Keeping these in mind, here’s the list of really good found-footage movies on Netflix that are available to stream right now.
11. CTRL (2024)
Not a traditional found-footage drama but offering found footage and many other kinds of footage, ‘CTRL’ is an Indian Hindi-language screenlife thriller directed by Vikramaditya Motwane. The film centers on Nella (Ananya Panday), a social media influencer who uses a new AI-based software to remove her ex-boyfriend, Joe (Vihaan Samat), from all across her social media. However, when the guy is revealed to be dead, she starts reaching out to his friends and digging into his social media accounts to find out any clues about what may have happened, only to uncover a dark conspiracy from whose shackles escaping seems impossible. A compelling commentary on the scary nature of the digital age and the vulnerability of digital footprints, ‘CTRL’ is a must-watch. It can be streamed here.
10. Aftersun (2022)
A British independent drama directed by Charlotte Wells, ‘Aftersun’ is dispersed with footage recorded by 11-year-old Sophie on her MiniDV camera while on a trip with her father, Calum. Calum and Sophie’s mother have separated, and Sophie lives with her mom. These trips are so that she can spend time with her father. As the father-daughter duo make the most of their time together at a Turkish holiday resort, we get a powerful portrayal of the relationship underscored by Calum’s hidden trauma resulting from his separation from his kid and Sophie’s love for him. The conversations, the undertones, and the silence all have meanings that are made crystal clear, thanks to Wells’ impeccable direction. Paul Mescal plays Calum, and Frankie Corio plays young Sophie, both doing a wonderful job. Winner of multiple awards and accolades, including at the British Independent Film Awards, the Cannes Film Festival, and the Chicago Film Critics Association, ‘Aftersun’ is a study of human emotion at its finest. You can watch it here.
9. My Suicide (2009)
‘My Suicide,’ also known as ‘Archie’s Final Project,’ is a comedy-drama film directed by David Lee Miller. In the media-saturated high school landscape, Gabriel Sunday portrays Archie Williams as the center of attention with a harrowing declaration: he intends to end his life on camera for a class project. This sparks a whirlwind of reactions, from genuine concern to morbid fascination. With the weight of teenage life – from love and peer pressure to mental health – captured through Archie’s lens, the film provides a raw commentary on the media’s impact on adolescence. ‘Archie’s Final Project’ transcends typical teenage drama, transforming into a poignant and satirical observation of modern youth, making it a significant addition to this list. You can stream the movie here.
8. Shirkers (2018)
A British-American documentary directed by Sandi Tan, ‘Shirkers’ was supposed to be the first Singaporean road movie, but instead became a film about how it was made in 1992 and then lost, only to be found almost 22 years later in 2011. Director Sandi Tan, who was 19 years old in 1992, shot the film but lost it after she gave it to her mentor Georges Cardona, who disappeared with it. Sandi was contacted by Cardona’s ex-wife in 2011, 4 years after Cardona’s death, and gave her the film, which was then turned into the one now available on Netflix. The documentary has the original footage along with interviews of people associated with the original film as well as those who knew Cardona. You can stream ‘Shirkers’ here.
7. Europa Report (2013)
A captivating and true-to-form found-footage drama, ‘Europa Report’ centers on a group of six astronauts who are sent to Europa, one of the moons of Jupiter, to search for signs of life. Their journey, search, and exploration are covered from multiple angles. This is done by showing the events via different cameras inside and outside the space shuttle, all contributing to making the film more realistic. Starring Anamaria Marinca, Christian Camargo, Daniel Wu, Karolina Wydra, Sharlto Copley, and Michael Nyqvist, ‘Europa Report’ offers an interesting POV on space exploration in movies and does a great job using it to add to the overall vibe of the titular genre. You can watch the film here.
6. Incantation (2022)
‘Incantation’ (Chinese: 咒; pinyin: Zhòu) unfolds as a Taiwanese-found footage supernatural folk horror film skillfully directed by Kevin Ko. The narrative centers on Li Ronan, who, six years prior, incurred a curse for violating a religious taboo. Presently, she grapples with the task of shielding her daughter from the repercussions of her past actions, weaving a tale of ominous supernatural forces and maternal protection. Kevin Ko’s direction adds depth to this gripping story, making ‘Incantation’ a gripping exploration of the consequences of forbidden acts in a world tinged with supernatural dread. You can watch the film here.
5. Time Trap (2017)
‘Time Trap’ is a sci-fi film created by the directors Ben Foster and Mark Dennis. Amidst the vast terrains of Texas, a team of students embarks on a quest to find their vanished archaeology professor, only to stumble upon a mysterious cave. This isn’t just any cave; it’s a vortex of time anomalies and enigmatic barriers. While delving deeper, they confront bewildering temporal distortions and chilling revelations about the past. Led by Brianne Howey and Reiley McClendon, the group’s pursuit of truth becomes a survival battle against time itself. This action-adventure film offers a fresh perspective on the found footage trope, making it an exhilarating, time-bending adventure worthy of mention. You can watch the film here.
4. The Bridge Curse (2020)
Directed by Lester Shih, this Taiwanese horror flick is based on a real legend, that of the haunted bridge at Tunghai University, Taiwan. The bridge is supposed to be haunted by a woman who committed suicide after her lover ditched her. Since then, she has been killing those who visit the bridge at night. The film shows what happens when a group of college students decides to inspect just how true the legend is by going to the bridge and recording the experience. How it goes is what follows, and it’s not a nice one. You can watch ‘The Bridge Curse’ here.
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3. Creep (2014)
This 2014 movie is the story of Aaron, a videographer, who has decided to answer an advertisement for a job that he saw in a newspaper. The ad was from this guy called Josef, who lives in a secluded house all by himself. When Aaron goes to meet Josef, he realizes something is eerily wrong with him, and he should have avoided coming here. Josef, however, acts innocent, but strange objects in his house and a wolf mask make Aaron more alarmed. Later that night, Aaron realizes that Josef is mentally unstable when a phone call warns him about it. He tries to escape, but things are not that easy anymore. ‘Creep’ received widespread critical acclaim from critics who marveled at the use of the found footage format, the intense acting, and the writing of the movie. You can watch it here.
2. Creep 2 (2017)
The sequel to ‘Creep,’ ‘Creep 2,’ also follows the story of Josef, who now goes by the name Aaron. Karan Soni of ‘Deadpool’ fame plays the role of Dave, Aaron’s friend. Aaron admits to Dave that he is a serial killer and kills him. Then begins the story of Sara, who has responded to Aaron’s advertisement for a videographer for a day on Craigslist. When she arrives at his house, Aaron makes a bizarre request, which Sara decides to comply with. Later, things turn sour as their encounter becomes life-threatening for both parties. Like ‘Creep,’ this movie was also lauded by both audiences and critics. You can watch the movie here.
1. Cam (2018)
‘Cam’ emerges as a standout found footage film directed by Daniel Goldhaber. The story revolves around Alice Ackerman, a camgirl who discovers an eerie doppelgänger has taken over her online identity. This psychological thriller expertly utilizes the found footage format, immersing viewers in the unsettling intersection of technology and identity. Goldhaber crafts suspense through the lens of Alice’s webcam, creating an intimate and voyeuristic experience. ‘Cam’ is a chilling exploration of the digital age’s darker side, with Madeline Brewer delivering a captivating performance. Its innovative use of found footage and gripping narrative make ‘Cam’ a compelling and unsettling cinematic journey. You can watch the movie here.
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