Found footage is one of the most perfect conduits to tell a story. It’s cheap to film, you can get away with more, and you typically aren’t confined to preconceived tropes. One of the biggest questions in a found footage film is an amalgamation of 1) who is filming, 2) why are they still filming, and 3) how are we seeing this footage that has been found? Frogman and The Outwaters did an excellent job of setting a new bar for found footage going forward. Old Wounds takes found footage and frames it in a new, enjoyable, and frantic light.
Old Wounds Intriguing Story and Twists
Old Wounds follows Ashley (Chelsey Grant) and Steve (Steven Hugh Nelson) as they take a trip to visit some of Ashley’s family. Steve’s old friend Graham (Brian Villalobos) shows up one night out of the blue and throws the entire trip off course. Why is Graham here? How did he know where they were? As the story unravels, so do Ashley, Steve, and Graham.
Written by Steven Hugh Nelson, Chelsey Grant, and Brian Villalobos, and directed by Steven Hugh Nelson, Old Wounds slowly turns typical subgenre fare into a twisting tale of intrigue. One can assume much of the dialogue was improvised as the three actors are listed as writers, and this is one of the few times where improvised dialogue in a found footage film feels natural. Moreover, we get three main characters that are generally (I say generally!) likable. There are countless found footage films where the leads we’re forced to watch are wholeheartedly unlikeable, and it’s refreshing not to sigh or cringe every time they say something.
Chelsey Grant’s Captivating Performance
Chelsey Grant steals the show (as she did in Frogman). Grant seems like a genuinely wonderful person, and it really shines through each of her characters. The relationship between Ashley and Steve feels natural. Their gripes are handled amicably, their banter is cute, and it truly feels like they have each other’s back. Graham’s introduction is the perfect catalyst for bringing the film to its tipping point. It’s where the film gets its footing and doesn’t stop running.
I don’t want to say much more about Old Wounds, as I think it should be experienced as blindly as possible. It takes some turns I wasn’t expecting, setting it apart from much of the found footage we see today. Let’s hope Terror Vision gives this film the full Frogman Deluxe Edition treatment.
A Must-Watch for Found Footage Fans
Old Wounds will keep you on your toes until the very last second, and you won’t be able to take your eyes off the screen. That being said, it’s a found footage fan’s type of found footage film. There’s a good chance a movie like Old Wounds won’t work for those on the fence with the subgenre, but those willing to sit with the film and let the story unravel will be in for quite a treat.