Apr 11, 2026 4:44pm PT

‘Hunting Matthew Nichols’ Review: A Missing Brother’s Cold Case Heats Up In Canadian Found-Footage Horror

Markian Tarasiuk’s directorial bow openly tips hat to “The Blair Witch Project” in a watchable mockdoc thriller whose thrills get delayed a little too long.

Dennis Harvey

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Dennis Harvey

Film Critic

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Though it was not entirely without precedent as the progenitor of faux-found-footage horror, few films have been more widely imitated than 1999’s “The Blair Witch Project” — if only because its premise was so, well, economical. With no pressing need for FX, sets, name actors or stunts, just about anyone could make a marketable knockoff. Unfortunately, almost everyone did, creating an overtaxed genre where mediocre, sometimes barely-watchable titles far outnumber the few inspired entries.