«Tapeface» by Chandler Balli, Derek Ryan

From a dark corner of the human mind, Tapeface killer emerges for his “annual massacre,” documented on an old VHS, overwriting images of the past with relentless acts of violence. Directed by Chandler Balli and Derek Ryan, this found footage horror takes the viewer into the heart of a brutal and disturbing nightmare.

The atmosphere is, without a doubt, spectral. Set in desolate interiors and exteriors that immerse us in the atmosphere of 1990s American homes, the perfect habitat for the analog relic in a digital world, the cinematography is crucial in creating this sense of claustrophobia and unease, making every frame an immersive experience that pulls the viewer directly into the heart of a disturbing and distorted vision.

The film plays with the unease that comes from simple yet powerful details: flickering neon lights, mysterious shadows, and the irregular hiss of the tape running on the old videotape. The only sounds that accompany the film are the constant, monotonous noise of the tape unwinding, the unsettling breaths of the killer and his victims, and background noises that heighten the realism and tension of the scenes. These distorted and dissonant sounds intensify the oppressive atmosphere, making the viewer feel trapped in the same room as the killer, with every breath heightening the anxiety and impending terror.

It’s almost inevitable to compare it with the most famous film in this genre, The Poughkeepsie Tapes, but Tapeface stands out for its minimalist and visceral approach, where brutality and the psychology of the characters intertwine into a harrowing nightmare. There’s no need for special effects to make the tension palpable: it’s the interaction between the killer, his cult object (the videotape), and the environment that makes the film so disturbing. The presence of psychiatrist Dr. Duke (Martin Fisher), who tries to analyze Tapeface’s disturbed mind, adds a psychological, political dimension, framing the killer as an alienated and dangerous subject.

Though the plot may seem simple and unpretentious, Tapeface is undeniably unsettling. The suspense grows slowly, and the atrocity of the events becomes even more chilling as the film unfolds, leaving the viewer breathless, irresistibly drawn to the madness captured on mysteriously resurfaced tapes.