FilmQuest 24: "Hunting Matthew Nichols" - movie review
- Travis Brown
- Oct 29, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 6, 2024
Young men can be obsessed to the point of losing themselves, often isolated and disconnected. We’ve all heard the jokes about guys living in their moms’ basements, shut-ins with interests that remain hidden. Is it just gaming, or something darker? These anxieties were rampant during the “Satanic Panic,” but today, we find new idols and obsessions. In horror, The Blair Witch Project became one such phenomenon, inspiring countless would-be filmmakers who saw the dream of creating a classic with just a camcorder. This spirit lives on today, where any film can inspire others to chase their vision.
But what happens when the pursuit of a dream spirals into a nightmare? Hunting Matthew Nichols, a compelling docudrama thriller by Markian Tarasiuk, follows a young woman searching for answers 23 years after her brother’s disappearance. Like similar faux-documentaries, new discoveries resurface old wounds with devastating impact. The standout performances by Tara Nichols and filmmaker Tarasiuk add a human touch that keeps the suspense engaging.
Lately, docudramas have been flooding the market, but Hunting rises above, skillfully blending found footage, narrative, and interviews. The setup appeals to true crime enthusiasts within the horror community, making it a strong entry in the genre. Though the deeper dive into Matthew’s story dulled some of the initial intrigue, perhaps due to the overwhelming volume of films I watch weekly, Hunting Matthew Nichols still offers a fresh, well-paced take. Even if the hunt itself doesn’t fully grip you, this film outshines many overdone documentaries on streaming platforms. It’s a promising addition to a genre currently gaining serious momentum.
3/5
Hunting Matthew Nichols
Directed By: Markian Tarasiuk
Produced By: Markian Tarasiuk, Sean Harris Oliver, Amy Laurel Barager
Lead Producers: Lucy McNulty, Matt Villeneuve
Cinematography: Justin Sebastian
This review captures the obsession at the heart of Hunting Matthew Nichols — the hunt for truth is as gripping as any stalker thriller. It even made me want to trace the real filming locations myself. A tool like where is this place can pinpoint where any photo was taken with AI spatial analysis, a fun rabbit hole for true-crime fans who love digging into locations.
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This balanced FilmQuest review offers sharp insight into Hunting Matthew Nichols’ unique faux-documentary formula, blending found footage, interviews and true-crime tension. I admire how the reviewer highlights its heartfelt human performances while honestly noting mild pacing flaws mid-story. Its Blair Witch-inspired premise brings fresh grief and obsession themes to the saturated mockumentary horror space. Could you share director Markian Tarasiuk’s festival Q&A takeaways in a follow-up feature? --try on
The faux-documentary framing and the 23-year cold case setup are exactly what make Hunting Matthew Nichols work - Tarasiuk's mix of found footage and interviews gives it that unsettling, real-world Blair Witch feel without ever feeling derivative. Reading this review also reminded me of a much less scary but equally overdue "measurement" problem, and I finally sat down and sorted it out with the SizeCalculator.app bra size calculator. Underbust, overbust, done in about a minute.