Hangar 10

Hangar 10 from 2014 is a gripping found-footage, science-fiction horror film, directed by Daniel Simpson. Starring Robert Curtis, Abbie Salt, and Danny Shayler, the movie bravely explores the frightening realms of UFO encounters and alien abductions, all set in the background of Rendlesham Forest which famously witnessed one of the most notable reported UFO incidents in the 1980s.

The film traces the spine-chilling journey of three friends - Gus, Jake, and Sally, beguilingly portrayed by Robert Curtis, Danny Shayler, and Abbie Salt respectively. The trio plan a trip to the storied Rendlesham Forest in Suffolk, England. Gus is an experienced treasure hunter and metal detecting enthusiast, Jake is an adventure-loving videographer, and Sally is Gus's girlfriend. They set out, packing all their gear and equipment, full of anticipation, with hopes to uncover some historical artifacts. While Jake is primarily responsible for documenting their adventure, his camera unwittingly becomes the chief medium through which the story unfolds, dramatizing the viewer's experience, and heightening the sensation of suspense and fear.

As their expedition begins, they serendipitously discover strange readings on their equipment, notably on the very night when there is an impending meteor shower. The series of unsettling anomalies lead them to suspect extraterrestrial signs. This innocuous hunting trip rapidly descends into an alarming investigation of the unusual, and slowly, they find themselves surrounded by uncanny incidents reminiscent of the infamous UFO sighting and reported alien contact at the locale.

Hangar 10 smartly employs the found-footage technique which amplifies the narrative's eeriness and authenticity, creating an atmosphere of raw fear and panic. The handheld camera technique employed has you rooted to your seat, as the gripping narrative plainly transforms from casual adventure to an intense struggle for survival. The triumvirate of protagonists convincingly portray their roles, contributing to the dynamic of eerie authenticity and collective dread.

Director Daniel Simpson, known for his independent films with a knack for atmospheric horror, uses the historical backdrop of the Rendlesham Forest incident to his advantage, injecting allure and dread into the narrative. The forest landscape itself becomes a character in the story, the quiet eerie wilderness a breeding ground for tension and terror.

As the film progresses, the viewer is drawn into a question of the unknown and the inexplicable. It smoothly transcends the boundaries of a typical horror movie, inciting questions about extraterrestrial life, the unknown, and our puny existence in the larger cosmos. The film exhibits a spectacular blend of mystery, science fiction, and horror that fascinates just as much as it terrifies.

The effects and production design add weight to the ominous atmosphere all throughout the movie. While the visual effects of the film will make you question reality, so strong is their impact, the sound design, and the unsettling score plays a contributory role in crafting an extraordinary sense of tension, terror, and impending doom.

The fear factor in Hangar 10 is not driven by grotesque views or gruesome exploitation. Rather, it thrives on the unseen, the unheard, the inexplicable, and the impending, which make it the bone-chilling thriller that it is. It probes into the human fear of the unknown, and the advancement of this fear when one is in the midst of it. The suspense unraveled in each frame is palpable and the terror real as viewers witness the harrowing ordeal of three friends against an unknown alien force.

Hangar 10 is not just about alien encounters, it is also about human resilience and survival in the face of cosmic horror. It takes viewers on a roller-coaster ride of emotions, from anticipation to fear, elation to despair, fascination to sheer terror. The movie is a gripping portrayal of the classic human-alien encounter narratives and sketches an appalling picture of the chilling consequences of coming face-to-face with the alien unknown.

In all, Hangar 10 with its unique plot setting, intense performances, and skilled use of found footage technique is a fresh addition to the genre of science fiction horror. Silent, eerie, and foreboding, this film would be a treat for fans of both science fiction and horror.