Always Watching (2015)

Always Watching: A Marble Hornets Story (2015) is a gripping horror film that plunges viewers into a chilling narrative rooted deeply in the found-footage horror subgenre. Directed by Jay Cheel and written by Joseph DeLage, this movie is a spin-off inspired by the popular YouTube web series 'Marble Hornets,' which revolves around the mysterious and sinister figure known as 'The Operator' or Slender Man.

Plot Summary:

The film revolves around the protagonist, Brooke Holloway, played by Alexandra Breckenridge, who is trying to piece together the unsettling events that occurred when her boyfriend, portrayed by Christopher Rodriguez Marquette, mysteriously disappeared. The story unfolds through a mixture of surveillance camera footage, online videos, and eerie discoveries that slowly reveal the terrifying truth behind his disappearance.

Brooke receives a cell phone that contains disturbing footage captured by her boyfriend before his disappearance. As she delves deeper into the content, strange phenomena begin to occur, and the presence of a supernatural entity looms. The film effectively uses atmospheric tension and the found footage device to create a sense of dread and realism, drawing viewers into this unnerving mystery.

Main Cast:

• Alexandra Breckenridge as Brooke Holloway - She delivers a compelling performance, anchoring the film's emotional core and driving the narrative forward as the determined and terrified protagonist.
• Christopher Rodriguez Marquette as Brooke's boyfriend - Though his screen time is limited, his character's disappearance sets the central mystery in motion.

Director and Writer:

Jay Cheel helms the direction with a clear understanding of the found-footage style, managing to maintain a claustrophobic and suspenseful atmosphere throughout the film. Joseph DeLage, the writer, crafts a storyline that stays true to the original 'Marble Hornets' mythos, expanding on the eerie mythology while keeping the plot engaging and accessible even for audiences unfamiliar with the web series.

Genre and Style:

Classified under action and horror genres, "Always Watching: A Marble Hornets Story" leans heavily on psychological horror elements combined with supernatural themes. The film's style is reminiscent of popular found-footage films, utilizing shaky cam sequences and first-person perspectives to immerse viewers in the unfolding suspense. The horror is built less on jump scares and more on an unsettling atmosphere and the terrifying unknown represented by 'The Operator.'

Critical Reception:

The film received mixed reviews, with particular praise for Alexandra Breckenridge's performance and its faithful adaptation of the 'Marble Hornets' lore. Fans of the original web series appreciated the expansion of the story and the visual realization of 'The Operator.' However, some critics felt that the film struggled to balance its horror elements with action components, and that its pacing could be uneven at times.

Final Thoughts:

"Always Watching: A Marble Hornets Story" is a must-watch for aficionados of supernatural horror and fans of the Slender Man mythos. Its use of found footage to create an immersive narrative experience, combined with solid performances and a eerie storyline, makes it a compelling addition to the horror genre. While it may not reinvent the wheel in terms of horror cinema, it effectively taps into the feeling of paranoia and fear of the unseen, leaving viewers watching over their shoulders long after the credits roll.

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive updates for latest hindi movies. Stay Connected!