Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gore and mature content in OK horror from YouTuber.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Shelby Oaks
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In SHELBY OAKS, a documentary filmmaker tells the story of Riley Brennan (Sarah Durn), who's gone missing. She was part of a popular quartet of YouTube ghost hunters who called themselves the "Paranormal Paranoids." But after investigating an abandoned prison, they suddenly disappear. Three of the group turn up dead, but Riley's whereabouts remain unknown. Interviewed for the documentary years later, Riley's sister Mia (Camille Sullivan) has vowed to find her. When a strange man shows up on her doorstep and shoots himself in the head, Mia discovers that he has a videotape in his hand. The tape contains the last footage Riley and her crew shot—and, finally, after 12 years, it has the first clues that Mia needs to truly begin her investigation. But there are unknown dangers ahead in the town of Shelby Oaks.
Is It Any Good?
This so-so horror movie combines both documentary-like "found footage" and regular fictional storytelling, but, that gimmick aside, it never really goes anywhere terribly compelling. The feature writing and directing debut of popular YouTube film critic Chris Stuckmann, who raised the money for the film via Kickstarter, Shelby Oaks has a few interesting things going for it, such as a haunted amusement park, a haunted prison, and a town filled with effectively moldy, grimy, and rundown structures that inspire revulsion; you don't want to touch anything.
But it's curious that Mia goes on her investigation alone; it feels like the suspense might have been bumped up a notch had there been more pushback or friction involving another character or element. Perhaps even the found footage could have been better incorporated into the whole piece, rather than just used as an introduction. Plus, a conclusion that's meant to be shocking mostly leaves viewers with an uneasy, icky feeling. For the most part, Shelby Oaks dabbles in the familiar, calling attention to better-made movies. Alas, it never takes off on its own.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Shelby Oaks' violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
The movie briefly shows viewers three online "trolls," i.e., people using their platforms to comment in a negative way on something terrible that's happened. Would you classify these characters as cyberbullies? Why, or why not?
Is the movie scary? What's the appeal of horror movies? Why do people sometimes like to be scared?
In what ways does the movie comment on the nature of truth and perception, especially given its found-footage elements?
What might the movie be saying about grief, obsession, or trauma through its supernatural elements?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 24, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : November 18, 2025
- Cast : Camille Sullivan , Brendan Sexton III , Keith David
- Director : Chris Stuckmann
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Neon
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Fantasy ( Monsters )
- Run time : 91 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violent content/gore, suicide and language
- Last updated : November 4, 2025
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