‘Man Finds Tape’ Review: Fascinating Found Footage With Too Much Polish [Tribeca 2025]
To put it simply, we’re currently in the middle of a new found footage boom, brought on by an ever-shifting film market, the COVID pandemic, and the undying desire to create, no matter how small the budget. Riding on this wave are writer/directors Paul Gandersman and Peter S. Hall with their feature film, Man Finds Tape, which had its world premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival. More specifically, the duo creates a pseudo-documentary formatted like a true crime special. Only this time, what the filmmakers discover is far scarier than any serial killer.
The film follows a similar format to films like Hell House LLC, where, like a documentary, it opens by building context around the horror story they’re about to tell. Man Finds Tape opens with the low, dulcet tones of a preacher, encouraging us to pray in a 4:3 frame, which is immediately recognizable as VHS footage. Talk of blessings in a syrupy sweet Southern accent quickly clues in the viewer that this is a film interested, at least in some part, in the power of religious belief, particularly in smaller, rural communities.
A voiceover, later identified as Lynn Page (Kelsey Pribilski), begins to explain the story at hand, the story of Larkin, Texas, and how she and her brother revealed something monstrous that fed on their community for years. It’s a dramatic yet cleverly edited intro reminiscent of true crime documentaries, providing a juicy morsel that teases the drama ahead, hooking the viewer in mere minutes. This isn’t your typical shaky cam found footage experience, but a cleverly edited and crafted package that layers different types of media to build a familiar yet troubling world.
Also Read: ‘Dog of God’ Review: A Surreal Piece Of Horror Animation [Tribeca 2025]
The pseudo-documentary starts in earnest with Lynn’s brother Lucas (William Magnuson) begging her to come home after a mysterious and disturbing murder captured on surveillance camera. Importantly, Lucas once ran a successful YouTube channel called “Man Finds Tape”, where he published creepy videos about things happening to him in Larkin that went viral. With such fame came a rather shoddy reputation with both locals and his family alike. But he promises Lynn that this is real and something he needs help investigating.
This is all revealed through sleek talking head interviews, intercut with voiceover, old “Man Finds Tape” videos, screenshots of Reddit threads, and even old voicemails. The story continues to unfold through these typical documentary techniques as Lynn’s voiceover explains her family history, Lucas’ initial spiral after he first went viral, and how Reverend Endicott Carr (John Gholson) became a villain in Lucas’ mind. Man Finds Tape crafts a story that could quickly veer into tragedy, but Gandersman and Hall never let it get too dark. Instead, they get really weird with it (which here is a high compliment).
After the groundwork is laid, sleek documentary techniques fade away and are replaced with raw footage, either shot on handheld cameras or security cameras. We’re placed more directly into this world and taken on a journey to discover the true horrors of Larkin alongside Lynn and Lucas. This is when Man Finds Tape evolves into something bizarre, freaky, and surprisingly goopy.
Also Read: Queens of the Dead Review: A Bloody, Gay Blast [Tribeca 2025]
With a runtime of 85 minutes, Gandersman and Hall keep the script tight and economical while still crafting an interesting world. Everything is purposeful, luring you into a false sense of security and delivering one hell of a third-act twist. It’s a testament to the team’s writing and their ability to craft interesting character beats that propel the narrative into hell.
This all culminates in a cinematic ending that’s undoubtedly exciting, but also feels out of place in a film like Man Finds Tape. In fact, there’s almost too much polish for a found footage film here, as if the filmmakers were resisting in-world camera techniques despite adopting them in the name of lowering the budget. It’s an interesting tension I’ve seen arise over the last few years in the wake of the aforementioned found footage boom, as filmmakers adopt the format as a cheaper way to make a movie, rather than necessarily loving the subgenre. And there’s no denying that strategy, especially in the face of a challenging film market. But it’s also apparent, especially to found footage fans who devour these films like it’s our job.
This polish may be just what some are looking for, though. It depends on what you look for in your found footage films! Regardless, there’s no denying that Gandersman and Hall know what they’re doing when it comes to writing intricate yet emotionally affecting stories. It’s no wonder that Rustic Films (Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead’s production company) produced the film. Man Finds Tape is an exciting glimpse into the future of found footage, one that’s full of the wacky, the weird, and plenty of practical effects.
Man Finds Tape is currently on the festival circuit.
-
Man Finds Tape
Summary
Man Finds Tape is an exciting glimpse into the future of found footage, one that’s full of the wacky, the weird, and plenty of practical effects.
Categorized:Reviews
