Creating a successful found footage movie is no small feat. While classics like The Blair Witch Project and Rec have set the standard, many others, such as Slender and Megan Is Missing, often fall flat, leaving little impact on audiences. Yet, among these, Lake Mungo stands out as a personal favorite. This film effectively blends mockumentary style with found footage, delivering a chilling yet deeply emotional narrative, all within a concise runtime of less than 90 minutes.

At its core, Lake Mungo is a masterclass in crafting a believable mockumentary. Its authenticity is so convincing that it could easily be mistaken for a genuine documentary about a haunting. The film’s execution is flawless—its performances are spot-on, and it maintains a subtlety that many similar films abandon for spectacle. Unlike others, such as the BBC’s acclaimed Ghostwatch, Lake Mungo remains restrained, even when presenting supposed ghost footage, enhancing its eerie appeal.

Joel Anderson, the film’s director and writer, has not ventured into feature filmmaking since this project. However, he has recently re-engaged with the film industry, contributing to 2023’s Late Night with the Devil after a notable hiatus of over a decade.

The narrative revolves around the Palmer family, grappling with the tragic drowning of 16-year-old Alice Palmer. Each family member processes the grief differently: mother June roams the neighborhood at night, father Russell immerses himself in work, and brother Matthew channels his emotions into art. As is typical in this genre, the family begins encountering bizarre phenomena—unexplained noises, mysterious bruises, and even direct encounters with apparitions.

The film’s storyline takes unexpected turns, lifting it above conventional horror tropes. Without divulging too much, its haunting footage and poignant family interviews leave a lasting impression. Eschewing jump scares and gore, the film masterfully builds tension, culminating in a chilling conclusion. The final scene delivers one of the most unforgettable images in horror cinema.

The choice of the Palmer surname appears to pay homage to Twin Peaks, another narrative centered around the mysterious death of a young girl in a secretive small town. As the story unfolds, more is revealed about Alice’s life and her struggle for recognition both in life and beyond. Just when the family seems ready to achieve closure, the film unveils its most shocking revelation.

Because the movie spends its limited run time getting you invested in the characters and building backstory, the ending hits hard. If you want a horror film that packs an emotional punch, this is it. It’s definitely a downer of a flick, but one you’ll want to rewatch immediately.