Shelby Oaks: Chris Stuckmann Struggles to Find His Creative Identity in His Directorial Debut

From well-known YouTube critic Chris Stuckmann comes his directorial debut, Shelby Oaks—a story about a woman searching for her long-lost sister, only to discover that a demon from their childhood might have been real all along.

Let’s start with the positives: the film is beautifully shot, with eerie cinematography and strong set design that really sell the creepy tone. The score perfectly adds to the dark, ominous atmosphere, and a few jump scares actually land. Plus, the performances are solid across the board.

Unfortunately, that’s where the praise stops. The writing and dialogue feel stiff, and some character choices are just bizarre—like the main character keeping blood on her face all day after witnessing a suicide. The found-footage opening and early mystery were the most intriguing parts, but the middle drags, and by the end, it all feels disappointingly familiar.

Instead of carving out its own identity, Shelby Oaks feels more like a mashup of classic horror influences without a unique voice. With 2025 being a strong year for horror, this one sadly lands as another formulaic and forgettable entry.