Anoraks Assemble

The Unfolding is a 2016 horror film, written and directed by Eugene McGing

With the world teetering on the brink of nuclear war, paranormal researcher Tam and his girlfriend Rose travel through the English countryside to investigate supposed ghostly goings-on in an old country house. On arrival, they are greeted by the current occupier who is packing up to leave, having been driven from the home by unexplained events.

Tam and Rose decide to stay and, after a quiet start, things begin to escalate. They are joined by Tam’s friend Harvey, and eventually Professor Chessman and Muriel, a psychic, as they try and unlock the house’s terrible secrets.

First things first. The Unfolding is clearly a very low-budget film. The audio is a bit unclear at times, although that could be down to the creative use of camcorders and security cameras, as well as traditional cameras for filming. It is sort of a found footage film but not exactly.

On the positive side, it really has a wonderful atmosphere. The washed out colours give it a real downbeat vibe, and the incidental music is very evocative.

After a slowish start there are a few creepy moments. Doors creak open, shadows appear on camera, and disembodied screams fill the house in the dead of night.

At one point, Tam and Rose’s bedroom door is battered from the outside, as he valiantly tries to hold it shut. It is very reminiscent of a scene in The Haunting (my all-time favourite haunted house film).

Acting wise, everybody plays their part well. Robert Daws would be the most recognisable face and he is very believable as the professor. Lachlan Niebor is also convincing as the increasingly obsessive Tam.

Yes, it is low budget, and no, it won’t change the world in terms of horror films, but I would much rather watch a film like this than yet another entry into the insufferable Paranormal Activity series.

Definitely worth a look.