While we have seen many found footage films, there hasn’t really been one this reviewer has since up until this point which feels like it was made for the YouTube and TikTok generations.
Mean Spirited, in some ways is like the most annoying vloggers, but in this case they are documenting a reunion of two childhood friends.
This is the follow-up to the hugely enjoyable Mass Hysteria from director Jeff Ryan, who effortlessly manages to mix horror and comedy.
Mean Spirited feels like an evolution for the filmmaker with an oddly heartfelt yet at times scary tale, involving demons and other supernatural goings on.
Ryan himself plays one of the leads, Bryce, a childhood friend of Andy who has gone on to television fame while his former best friend is still stuck at home and searching for meaning through vlogging.
Both Ryan and Will Madden as Andy are outstanding performances, giving nuance to characters in lesser hands, which would look hammy.
Mean Spirited also has plenty of twists and turns and odd, blink and you’ll miss moments that only hit the mark in found footage films.
Up until this point, this has been my favourite film to review for Arrow Video Frightfest; this is a real gem. Mean Spirited is definitely one spirit that doesn’t need exorcising.
Mean Spirited screens at Arrow Video Frightfest 2022.
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