Watch Hungerford

Hungerford is a found footage horror movie set in the small town of Hungerford. It follows an 18-year-old named Cowen as he documents the bizarre and terrifying events that begin to unfold in his hometown. Cowen starts out filming a simple day in his life with his friends, including Josh, Adam, and Selena. However, things quickly take a dark turn when a mysterious energy field appears in the sky, causing strange occurrences and mutations among the town's residents. People start attacking each other without reason, and Cowen and his friends quickly realize that they need to flee or risk being caught up in the chaos.

One of the most interesting things about Hungerford is its use of both on-screen and off-screen events to build tension and create an immersive experience. The first half of the movie is dedicated to setting up the characters and their relationships, showing us what their lives were like before the invasion. We see Cowen's day at school, Selena's job interview, and Josh's attempts to woo a girl named Beth. Meanwhile, news reports in the background of the scenes reveal that strange occurrences have been happening around the world, hinting at the impending arrival of something ominous.

Once the energy field appears and the invasion begins, the movie shifts into high gear. Cowen and his friends try to survive while also documenting what's happening for posterity. This leads to some genuinely tense moments as they wander the deserted streets, encountering mutated creatures and other survivors who may or may not be trustworthy. Hungerford doesn't skimp on the gore, either - there are plenty of scenes showing people being attacked, mutilated, and killed.

The film's use of found footage lends a certain authenticity to its portrayal of the invasion. We see Cowen and his friends struggling to get a signal on their phones, and we hear news reports in the background that are being broadcast simultaneously with the events we see on screen. This makes the invasion feel like a real event that's happening to real people, even as the filmmakers use tricks like jump scares and clever editing to keep us on the edge of our seats.

The movie does have a few flaws, however. The found footage genre can be limiting at times, as it requires the characters to have a reason to keep filming even when it puts their lives in danger. There are a few moments in Hungerford where this strains credibility - for example, why would Cowen keep filming as he and his friends are being attacked by monsters? The film's pacing also drags a bit in the middle, with a few scenes that could have been trimmed or cut entirely.

Overall, though, Hungerford is an impressive example of the found footage genre. It uses its small-town setting effectively to create a sense of claustrophobia and isolation, and the characters are likable enough that we care about their fates. The movie's use of off-screen events and news reports adds a layer of richness to the world-building, and the special effects are effective at creating a sense of horror and dread. If you're a fan of found footage movies or horror in general, Hungerford is definitely worth a watch.