The Review (Spoiler Free)
“Bad Ben” is a unique entry into the found footage horror genre, a film that stands out for its minimalistic approach and surprising effectiveness. The movie, released in 2016, was directed, produced, and performed by Nigel Bach, who also happens to be the owner of the house where the film is set. With a budget of merely $300, Bach has managed to create a film that has garnered a cult following for its straightforward storytelling and genuine scares.
The plot revolves around Tom Riley, played by Bach, who purchases a house at a sheriff’s sale, planning to flip it for a profit. However, he soon discovers that the house is not as empty as it seems. The film cleverly utilizes its limited resources, relying on security cameras installed throughout the house to capture the eerie happenings that unfold.
Bach’s performance is noteworthy for its authenticity. He doesn’t come across as an actor but rather as an average person documenting his experience, which adds to the film’s realism. The scares are well-executed, with a reliance on timing and atmosphere rather than high-end special effects. This lends an air of believability to the film that is often missing in more polished productions.
The narrative is tight, with no unnecessary exposition, allowing the tension to build naturally. The backstory of the paranormal entity, revealed through a child’s drawing, is minimal yet effective, adding to the overall creepiness without overcomplicating the plot.
“Bad Ben” has been praised for being one of the more entertaining found footage movies, with a solid payoff and a few decent scares. It’s a testament to Bach’s skill that the film remains engaging throughout its runtime, despite the limitations in budget and cast.
Bad Ben is first of trilogy series. There is Badder Ben: The Final Chapter, and Steelmanville Road is prequel to Bad Ben. Unfortunately, these movies are not worth watching.
In the Nutshell
“Bad Ben” is a commendable effort in the horror genre, particularly within the found footage niche. It proves that a compelling story and a dedicated creator can overcome the constraints of low-budget filmmaking. For fans of horror looking for a raw and unpretentious scare, “Bad Ben” is definitely worth a watch. It’s a reminder that sometimes, less is indeed more when it comes to creating suspense and terror. [3 out of 5 stars]
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Genre: Paranormal Found-footage
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I’m a fan of all four of these movies (bad Ben the Mandela effect having the best jump scare in my opinion of any of them).
Steelmanville Road is worth watching only for the old medium lady. She’s so terrible it’s absolutely amazing.
I liked Badder Ben, I enjoyed Nigel’s character returning and his confrontational method of dealing with these issues.
The whole series is just so bad it’s great.