Evil Things Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Five college students go on a weekend trip, film everything, and then get stalked by a mysterious van, proving that ‘found footage’ films always end with you wishing someone had just left their camera at home.

🍿 Evil Things: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Birthday Trip to the Countryside

On January 9, 2009, five college friends — Miriam, Cassy, Mark, Tanya, and Leo — embark on a weekend getaway from New York City to celebrate Miriam’s 21st birthday. Miriam’s Aunt Gail has lent them her secluded, four-bedroom country house in the Catskills, surrounded by vast mountains and dense woods. Leo, an aspiring filmmaker, brings his new video camera, intending to document their entire fun-filled trip. As they drive, the group encounters a mysterious black van that appears to be following them. Despite Mark’s attempt to confront the driver at a diner, the unsettling feeling of being watched persists. They eventually arrive at the spacious house, where Aunt Gail briefly greets them and turns on the power, setting the stage for their supposed relaxing weekend of partying and bonding.

Unsettling Encounters and Growing Paranoia

The friends try to enjoy themselves, filming their interactions and lighthearted moments. However, the eerie encounters don’t stop. The next day, during a hike in the snowy woods, they become disoriented and hear strange, echoing noises, leading to panic and arguments. They eventually manage to find their way back to the house, shaken but seemingly safe. Back at the house, the atmosphere darkens significantly. They receive repeated phone calls with no one on the other end, further escalating their unease. A package is left at their door containing a video tape, which reveals a horrifying truth: they have been secretly filmed and stalked since leaving the city, with the mysterious van driver having even infiltrated the house and their bedrooms while they slept.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Miriam (Elyssa Mersdorf): The birthday girl who invites her college friends to her aunt’s secluded country house for a weekend getaway.
• Leo (Ryan Maslyn): The aspiring filmmaker who documents the entire weekend with his new video camera, capturing the group’s descent into terror.
• Cassy (Laurel Casillo): One of Miriam’s college friends and Mark’s girlfriend, who struggles to cope with the escalating threats.
• Mark (Morgan Hooper): Miriam’s college friend and Cassy’s boyfriend, who attempts to protect the group and confronts their mysterious stalker.
• Tanya (Torrey Weiss): One of Miriam’s college friends whose increasing fear and panic contribute to the group’s chaotic reactions.
• The Stalker (Uncredited): The unseen and enigmatic antagonist(s) who relentlessly follow, film, and terrorize the college students throughout their weekend trip.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Miriam: “Please don’t mention the van to my aunt, she’s way overprotective.” – Miriam tells her friends to keep silent about the mysterious van following them, setting the stage for their isolation and lack of external help.
• Cassy: “Even if we were to call someone, what would we say?” – Said when the friends are unsettled by early encounters, highlighting their helplessness due to the ambiguous and unprovoked nature of the stalking.
• Mark: “Get out of here! What do you want?” – Mark confronts the mysterious van driver at a diner, showing early defiance against their unseen tormentor.
• Tanya: “Are you going to film everything?” – A common meta-question directed at Leo, the aspiring filmmaker, emphasizing the omnipresent camera and a core conceit of the found-footage genre.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,175,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Evil Things Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into ‘Evil Things’ thinking it would be another generic found footage flick, but I was pleasantly surprised! I really connected with the characters – they felt like actual friends, which made their initial carefree road trip super relatable. That escalating tension with the creepy van following them? My heart was pounding! And when they get to the house and realize they’re being watched, especially that videotape reveal… total chills! I loved that it relied on psychological dread and what you *don’t* see, rather than cheap jump scares. It made me feel genuinely vulnerable, even if the ending left me wanting a bit more explanation. It definitely stuck with me long after I finished watching.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of found footage horror films (e.g., ‘The Blair Witch Project’, ‘Paranormal Activity’)”
  • “Viewers who appreciate psychological thrillers over explicit gore”
  • “Audiences who enjoy slow-burn suspense and ambiguity in horror”
  • “Those interested in independent horror filmmaking”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Implied violence and disappearances”
  • “Sustained psychological tension and dread”
  • “Home invasion themes”
  • “Characters in distress and screaming”
  • “Abrupt ending with no clear resolution”

Professional Reviews

• Critic’s Cut: “Dominic Perez’s ‘Evil Things’ delivers a chilling, slow-burn found-footage experience that thrives on unseen terror. The naturalistic performances, especially from Laurel Casillo, make the escalating dread feel unnervingly real. While some genre conventions are present, the film effectively uses its limitations to amplify psychological horror, leaving the audience to imagine the unseen, which is often far more terrifying.
• Film Fanatics: “‘Evil Things’ bravely enters the saturated found-footage arena, offering a surprisingly solid take on the stalker sub-genre. The film’s strength lies in its commitment to realism and the palpable chemistry among its young cast. Despite a few pacing lulls and a controversial use of non-diegetic music, it crafts genuinely suspenseful moments. It’s a reminder that sometimes, what you don’t see is truly scarier.
• Scream Scene: “This indie horror punches above its weight, delivering the authentic, unsettling voyeurism that ‘Blair Witch’ pioneered. The actors feel like real friends, making their journey from carefree fun to sheer terror incredibly impactful. ‘Evil Things’ masterfully builds tension through suggestion rather than gore, culminating in a final act that, while divisive in its ambiguity, solidifies its place as a disturbingly effective psychological thriller.

Audience Reactions

The most chilling moment for many was the discovery of the hidden camera footage, revealing they’d been watched from the start, even in their sleep.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s realistic acting and the strong chemistry among the cast, which made the characters feel authentic and their fear palpable. Many appreciated the psychological horror aspect and the suspense built through unseen threats, rather than relying on gore.

The slow burn approach created a pervasive sense of dread, especially during the isolated cabin scenes and the unsettling presence of the mysterious van.: The film’s atmosphere and ability to create tension through ambiguity were frequently commended. However, a common point of contention was the perceived slow pacing by some, and the abrupt, ambiguous ending that left many wanting more concrete answers.

Overall Consensus: Evil Things is a polarizing but generally well-regarded found footage horror film, praised for its authentic performances and psychological suspense, though its slow pace and ambiguous ending might not satisfy all viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Dominic Perez decided to make “Evil Things” after being informed he would be laid off from his investment banking job during the 2008 financial recession, fulfilling a long-held dream of filmmaking.”
• “The film was shot in an incredibly short period of just seven days, with the director stating the principal photography and editing budget was around $10,000, and total production costs closer to $20,000.”
• “Much of the dialogue was improvised by the cast, a deliberate choice to enhance the naturalistic performances and add to the authenticity typically sought in found-footage films.”
• “Despite being a found-footage film, the director and actor/camera operator Ryan Maslyn consciously worked to minimize excessive shakiness, aiming for clearer and more fluid shots than often seen in the genre.”

🖥️ How to Watch Evil Things?

As a found-footage horror film, “Evil Things” was noted to be available on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video during its release period. While direct streaming availability may vary, it is generally available for rent or purchase on major digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube. Check your preferred VOD service for current options and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Evil Things, you might like these similar films:

• The Blair Witch Project (1999): A seminal found footage horror film, often cited as a direct comparison for ‘Evil Things’ due to its style of storytelling, isolated setting, and unseen, psychological antagonist.
• Paranormal Activity (2007): Another highly successful found footage film known for its slow-burn tension, psychological dread, and home invasion elements, sharing stylistic and thematic similarities with ‘Evil Things’.
• The Strangers (2008): Offers a similar home invasion and stalker theme with unknown, masked assailants creating intense psychological terror, without relying on supernatural elements, akin to the ambiguous threat in ‘Evil Things’.
• Creep (2014): A modern found footage film that excels in building suspense and discomfort through a single, increasingly disturbing individual, appealing to fans who appreciate psychological horror and ambiguous threats.
• Lake Mungo (2008): This Australian mockumentary, while focusing on supernatural elements, shares the found footage format and a focus on unsettling ambiguity and psychological horror rather than overt scares or gore.

🛒 Evil Things Related Products

• Evil Things Collector’s Edition Blu-ray: Immerse yourself in the chilling found-footage horror with the ‘Evil Things’ Collector’s Edition Blu-ray. Features a pristine transfer, director’s commentary, deleted scenes, and ‘Behind the Lens: Making of Evil Things’ documentary.
• Found Footage Anthology: The Best of Found Footage Horror (Digital): A curated digital collection featuring critically acclaimed and cult-favorite found footage horror films. Includes ‘The Blair Witch Project,’ ‘Paranormal Activity,’ and other genre staples that challenge traditional storytelling.
• Vintage-Style Handheld Camcorder Replica (Prop): A meticulously crafted, non-functional replica of a classic ’90s-style handheld camcorder, designed to evoke the authentic aesthetic of found footage films. Features realistic detailing and a faux ‘recording’ light.
• Catskills Survival Handbook: Staying Safe in Remote Wilderness: An essential guide for anyone venturing into remote wilderness areas, covering topics from navigation and shelter building to emergency communication and dealing with unexpected encounters. Not just for horror movie scenarios!

🎧 Soundtrack

Evil Things features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Original Score” – performed by Uncredited Composer
• “Ambient Droning Cues” – performed by Uncredited Composer

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Worst Things Homelander has done in The Boys So Far…

Ever wondered just how depraved Homelander truly is? This video dives deep into the most shocking and truly awful acts he’s committed throughout ‘The Boys’ universe – it’s a wild ride that really highlights why he’s such a compelling, terrifying villain. You won’t believe some of the stuff he gets away with!

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