Watch SX Tape

SX Tape is a found footage horror film directed by Bernard Rose, known for helming the iconic horror movie "Candyman". The movie was released in 2013 and can be categorized broadly within the horror genre that explores supernatural elements through the lens of amateur footage. The narrative of SX Tape follows Adam and Jill, a couple who share a passion for video art and urban exploration. Jill is an artist fascinated by capturing raw and sometimes unsettling images on camera to incorporate into her artwork. Adam, her boyfriend, is often the one behind the lens, recording their experiences and explorations. The concept of voyeurism and the desire to document even the most intimate moments is a central theme throughout the film, creating an atmosphere of intrusion and unease.

The plot kicks off when the couple stumble upon an abandoned hospital which Jill is eager to explore for its eerie, artistic potential. Despite the dilapidated and foreboding nature of the setting, they decide to film their expedition into the mysterious building.

As is common in found footage style films, SX Tape utilizes the perspective of the couple's hand-held camera to create a sense of authenticity and immediacy. The shaky, unpolished camera work is intended to immerse the viewer in the experience, as if they too are part of the exploration and the unfolding events within the derelict structure.

The abandoned hospital serves as the perfect backdrop for the movie, offering a range of unsettling environments, from decaying walls and long, shadowy corridors, to remnants of its previous life as a bustling center of healthcare. This plays into the horror trope of liminal spaces - places that are between their intended purpose and complete obsolescence, often depicted as being inherently creepy or haunted.

As Adam and Jill delve deeper into the building, they begin to uncover disturbing secrets and unravel the dark history entwined within the hospital's moldering halls. The tension steadily builds as strange occurrences suggest they are not alone, and the couple starts to feel an increasing sense of dread. The hospital’s past becomes a significant focal point, hinting at gruesome activities that may have taken place years ago, and suggesting that the place might be haunted by more than just memories.

Moreover, SX Tape touches on themes of obsession, as the couple's quest for exciting, unconventional art leads them further into danger. Their commitment to capturing everything on camera amplifies the suspense, as viewers are led to question what might be lurking just out of frame or in the softly-focused background of their recordings.

As the story progresses, the horrors that lurk within the building begin to manifest more physically and violently, playing into the familiar horror film pattern of a slow build-up leading to intense and often terrifying climaxes. SX Tape capitalizes on the found footage style to blur the lines between reality and the supernatural. The idea that the footage being watched was discovered and may represent real events adds an extra layer of excitement and fear for the audience.

The sound design of the movie complements the visuals, using a minimalistic approach to underscore the eerie silence of the abandoned hospital and punctuate the startling moments with jarring, discordant noises. The fact that the viewers, like the characters, are limited to the sights and sounds captured by the camera, amplifies the movie's psychological impact by trapping them within the camera's narrow point of view.

SX Tape doesn't solely rely on jump scares to unsettle its audience. It also delves into psychological horror, interrogating the characters' mental states as they are subjected to an increasing number of terrifying encounters. The strain on the couple’s relationship, as well as the personal demons each character wrestles with, adds depth to the film, making their situation not just physically perilous but emotionally harrowing as well.

While the movie draws upon various elements that are commonly found in horror films and found footage genre pieces, it also aims to stand apart by instilling a raw and gritty essence that speaks to indie film sensibilities. The performances of the actors are grounded in an attempt to deliver a realistic portrayal of how average people might react when faced with the inexplicable and horrifying.

SX Tape is structured to provide a relentless and disconcerting experience for viewers who are fans of the horror genre and, in particular, the found footage sub-genre. It joins the ranks of movies that have used this filmmaking technique to tap into something visceral, leveraging the power of suggestion and the imagination to evoke fear and dread. With its haunting setting and psychological depth, SX Tape is a movie designed to linger in the mind long after the credits roll.

SX Tape is a 2014 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes.