The Final Project

The Final Project is a riveting 2016 found footage style horror film that dives into the world of the supernatural. Directed by Taylor Ri’chard and co-written by the director and Zachary Davis, the film features several talented actors in the lead roles, including, Benjamin Anderson, Amber Erwin, Tiffany Ford, and Teal Haddock, among others.

The premise of the movie relies on the level of interest and intrigue that old, abandoned structures with a haunted history can generate. The movie revolves around six college students studying Film & Media at the fictional University of Atlanta. They get an assignment that requires them to document an unexplored subject. With their graduation just around the weekend, they decide to film an old antebellum Southern plantation known as the Lafitte Plantation, located in Vacherie, Louisiana.

The film blends standard horror cliches of group dynamics, such as frictions, personal ambition, and romantic alliances, with a foreboding plot that leans heavily into the supernatural trope of 'don't disturb things from the past.' The college students, eager to submit a documentary for their final project and oblivious of the dangers that lay in their path, are excited about exploring the abandoned Lafitte Plantation. It was the scene of gruesome occurrences and horrific slave abuse back in the day.

The group includes Benjamin Anderson's character Genevive L'Esperance, a rather vision-centric leader of the group with significant camera expertise. Amber Erwin plays Misty Gilroy, a kind-hearted yet timid character good at research and figuring out historical truths. Tiffany Ford plays the role of Anna Davenport-Baxter, a lively character who is also part of the crew. The dynamics between the group, their individual wants, and their collective fear magnify the tension that subsequently unfolds.

The Lafitte Plantation, the central location of the movie, has stood deserted for over 200 years since the family disappeared in 1825 under mysterious circumstances. This adds to the 'creepiness' factor of the film and amplifies the suspense that looms over them throughout their expedition into finding something 'extraordinary.' This unnerving movie aims to offer chills and thrills as the story unfolds about their fateful journey on the plantation.

The director uses the mockumentary approach quite effectively as it helps build the tension and even manages to blur the lines between reality and fiction. All the footage shown is presumably taken by the students themselves, which adds to the visceral fear and engages the audience in an intimate understanding of the dread surrounding the characters. It's a journey that begins with enthusiasm quickly turns into a nightmare.

Despite the students' initial skepticism and disregard for local legends, the terrifying reality of the plantation's past starts to reveal itself as the night draws on. The horror slowly ratcheting up as the group begins to witness strange happenings and hear unexplained sounds - with fear creeping in and their camaraderie tested to the limits. Suspense and terror form the crux of the plot as they struggle to comprehend the reality of what's happening around them.

The Final Project is an intense paranormal horror film that explores the fallout from disrespecting the past, venturing into forbidden territories, and underestimating urban legends. Taylor Ri’chard pace the film well, unspooling the story in a gradually more menacing way, allowing characters to be established, and a genuinely ominous atmosphere to build. It captures the haunting aura of southern plantation history and leverages it to create a thrilling narrative.

Overall, The Final Project thrives in its simplicity. It's a no-frills horror film that finds its strengths in the very basic building blocks of the genre. The film's found footage style brings a sense of realism that is as edgy as it is terrifying. It intricately ties history, ghost legends, and the modern drive for exploration into a thrilling narrative that keeps the audience on their toes. The diverse character set brings drama, and their growing fear and desperation as things start going horribly wrong adds layers to the narrative.

Whether you're a casual fan of the horror genre’s found-footage sub-genre or a full-fledged southern gothic horror enthusiast, The Final Project's blend of history, horror, and nerves stretched thin strikes the right cord of fear and makes for an interesting watch.