For all its purported mystery and experimentation, Robbie Banfitch’s tale of four unlucky friends out in the wilds comes off as decadent
We’ve reached the late baroque stage for found-footage horror movies; the signature moves of the genre have become so familiar that directors are reaching for new extremes. Jump scares are even more abrupt, and the gore, often just glimpsed for microseconds, is so horrible it verges on ludicrous. The cinematography is so verité-shaky, the storytelling so eerily elliptical, that you get a film like this – entirely abstract in its last act. Be warned: the end of The Outwaters is mostly just darkness pierced by a wee spot of light from a handheld camera illuminating blood-drenched crime scenes and desert floor all smeared together. It lurches towards a climactic act of self-harm so horrible it’s up there with art history’s worst sufferings of saints.
Writer-director-cinematographer-editor...
We’ve reached the late baroque stage for found-footage horror movies; the signature moves of the genre have become so familiar that directors are reaching for new extremes. Jump scares are even more abrupt, and the gore, often just glimpsed for microseconds, is so horrible it verges on ludicrous. The cinematography is so verité-shaky, the storytelling so eerily elliptical, that you get a film like this – entirely abstract in its last act. Be warned: the end of The Outwaters is mostly just darkness pierced by a wee spot of light from a handheld camera illuminating blood-drenched crime scenes and desert floor all smeared together. It lurches towards a climactic act of self-harm so horrible it’s up there with art history’s worst sufferings of saints.
Writer-director-cinematographer-editor...
- 4/4/2023
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Guardian - Film News
A New York Times Critic’s Pick, found footage cosmic horror hit The Outwaters will stream exclusively on Screambox and release on digital platforms this Friday, 17th February, via Cinedigm and Bloody Disgusting. During its theatrical run, the film set off Apple Watch heart monitors, made viewers uncomfortably nauseous, and caused in-theater anxiety. Now fans can experience what Jezebel calls a “mind-twisting, narrative-pulverizing vision of horror” from the comfort of home. Critics are responding to The Outwaters, which is currently 71% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Rolling Stone hailed it as “obscenely effective,” while JoBlo said, “The film’s final 10 minutes are amongst the most gruesome and uncomfortable moments in any horror film I have ever seen.” Memory cards unearthed in a remote stretch of the Mojave Desert tell the story of four travelers who vanished during a sun-drenched camping trip. One night, everything changes when the foursome is sent on a...
- 2/17/2023
- by Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins
- Horror Asylum
At first glance, Robbie Banfitch's found footage nightmare, "The Outwaters," may read as experimental. It certainly has to a lot of viewers, and the Letterboxd review section is peppered with the word. But Banfitch, who not only wrote and directed the movie but also starred in it, never viewed the film this way.
"I never thought of 'The Outwaters' as experimental as I was making it," the multi-hyphenate told "Skinamarink" writer-director Kyle Edward Ball in a recent New York Times interview. "The logic of the story — what would be filmed or not in the situation — makes it experimental in parts. But that was never the plan."
The movie's gory descent into hell — which follows a group of friends who set out to film a music video in a secluded region of the Mojave Desert — is a wild ride, the kind of film that needs to be seen to be believed.
"I never thought of 'The Outwaters' as experimental as I was making it," the multi-hyphenate told "Skinamarink" writer-director Kyle Edward Ball in a recent New York Times interview. "The logic of the story — what would be filmed or not in the situation — makes it experimental in parts. But that was never the plan."
The movie's gory descent into hell — which follows a group of friends who set out to film a music video in a secluded region of the Mojave Desert — is a wild ride, the kind of film that needs to be seen to be believed.
- 2/16/2023
- by Lex Briscuso
- Slash Film
The Outwaters, Robbie Banfitch’s compellingly creepy new horror flick, takes the found-footage genre and the lost-in-the-desert nightmare, smashes them together, and spins them off their axis. Watching it, I kept thinking of that Matt Damon and Casey Affleck movie Gerry, from 2002, about two men who go off-trail during a desert hike, lose their way, and suffer from delirium until one of them is killed by the other. The Outwaters sometimes feels like a nightmare inverse of that movie, in which the people involved, camping out in the Mojave Desert to film a music video,...
- 2/9/2023
- by K. Austin Collins
- Rollingstone.com
We were treated to four brand new horror movies this past Tuesday, and today brings another two as we head towards the weekend. One is playing in theaters, the other available at home.
Here are the two new horror movies released on Thursday, February 9, 2023.
For daily reminders about new horror releases, be sure to follow @HorrorCalendar.
Robbie Banfitch‘s nightmare found footage movie The Outwaters opened in limited theaters today from Cinedigm, Bloody Disgusting, and Screambox.
Beginning its theatrical run in 100+ theaters, tickets for The Outwaters can be found over at Fandango or on the official website.
The film plays out over three memory cards found in a sun-drenched section of the Mojave Desert. The footage within is that of a foursome, who set out to make a music video while camping, led by a charismatic LA filmmaker. Their trip starts out uneventful, though their peace is occasionally disrupted by unexplained sounds,...
Here are the two new horror movies released on Thursday, February 9, 2023.
For daily reminders about new horror releases, be sure to follow @HorrorCalendar.
Robbie Banfitch‘s nightmare found footage movie The Outwaters opened in limited theaters today from Cinedigm, Bloody Disgusting, and Screambox.
Beginning its theatrical run in 100+ theaters, tickets for The Outwaters can be found over at Fandango or on the official website.
The film plays out over three memory cards found in a sun-drenched section of the Mojave Desert. The footage within is that of a foursome, who set out to make a music video while camping, led by a charismatic LA filmmaker. Their trip starts out uneventful, though their peace is occasionally disrupted by unexplained sounds,...
- 2/9/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
We’re less than a quarter into 2023 and independent horror appears to be having a moment. Technically it started several months ago when Kyle Edward Ball’s “liminal horror” Skinamarink gained word-of-mouth buzz after leaking online, but its official release in January spawned an inexplicable indie hit. A slow, dread-inducing experimental work made on a micro-budget, Skinamarink received comparisons to avant-garde filmmakers like the late Michael Snow and somehow earned millions in a semi-wide release. One month later we have Robbie Banfitch’s The Outwaters, a found-footage horror movie with an experimental edge. Given both films’ willingness to buck convention, earn raves from terrified viewers, and receive theatrical runs so close together, lumping both Skinamarink and The Outwaters together feels inevitable (even the New York Times had the directors interview each other when reporting on them).
So with that context established, let’s compare. Both are slow burns taking their...
So with that context established, let’s compare. Both are slow burns taking their...
- 2/9/2023
- by C.J. Prince
- The Film Stage
First, there was Terrifier 2, and then there was Skinamarink. Now, the unholy trinity of indie horror completes its circle this weekend when Robbie Banfitch‘s nightmare The Outwaters opens in limited theaters from Cinedigm, Bloody Disgusting, and Screambox.
Beginning its theatrical run Tonight in 100+ theaters, tickets for The Outwaters can be found over at Fandango or on the official website.
While the film’s performance ultimately will decide just how much it expands, we’re kicking the hype to 11 on the cosmic horror that critics are calling “suffocating” and “terrifying”.
If you want to witness a film truly descend straight into the pits of depravity, The Outwaters slow-rolls into the seven levels of Hell and can only be described as Blair Witch Project meets Event Horizon. The film takes viewers off the beaten path and into their own nightmares… Believe the hype.
“Robbie Banfitch‘s film plays out over...
Beginning its theatrical run Tonight in 100+ theaters, tickets for The Outwaters can be found over at Fandango or on the official website.
While the film’s performance ultimately will decide just how much it expands, we’re kicking the hype to 11 on the cosmic horror that critics are calling “suffocating” and “terrifying”.
If you want to witness a film truly descend straight into the pits of depravity, The Outwaters slow-rolls into the seven levels of Hell and can only be described as Blair Witch Project meets Event Horizon. The film takes viewers off the beaten path and into their own nightmares… Believe the hype.
“Robbie Banfitch‘s film plays out over...
- 2/9/2023
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
First, there was Terrifier 2, and then there was Skinamarink. Now, the unholy trinity of indie horror completes its circle this weekend when Robbie Banfitch‘s nightmare The Outwaters opens in limited theaters from Cinedigm, Bloody Disgusting, and Screambox.
Beginning its theatrical run in 100+ theaters, tickets for The Outwaters can be found over at Fandango or on the official website.
While the film’s performance ultimately will decide just how much it expands, we’re kicking the hype to 11 on the cosmic horror that critics are calling “suffocating” and “terrifying”.
If you want to witness a film truly descend straight into the pits of depravity, The Outwaters slow-rolls into the seven levels of Hell and can only be described as Blair Witch Project meets Event Horizon. The film takes viewers off the beaten path and into their own nightmares… Believe the hype.
“Robbie Banfitch‘s film plays out over three...
Beginning its theatrical run in 100+ theaters, tickets for The Outwaters can be found over at Fandango or on the official website.
While the film’s performance ultimately will decide just how much it expands, we’re kicking the hype to 11 on the cosmic horror that critics are calling “suffocating” and “terrifying”.
If you want to witness a film truly descend straight into the pits of depravity, The Outwaters slow-rolls into the seven levels of Hell and can only be described as Blair Witch Project meets Event Horizon. The film takes viewers off the beaten path and into their own nightmares… Believe the hype.
“Robbie Banfitch‘s film plays out over three...
- 2/8/2023
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
Plot: The film plays out over three memory cards found in a sun-drenched section of the Mojave Desert. The footage within is that of a foursome, who set out to make a music video while camping, led by a charismatic LA filmmaker. Their trip starts out uneventful, though their peace is occasionally disrupted by unexplained sounds, vibrations, and unnatural animal behavior. Then one night everything changes, sending the foursome on a mind-bending trip through terror.
Review: Found footage is a tricky genre. Since The Blair Witch Project ushered the modern version of the found footage horror movie in 1999, there have been countless attempts to harness the handheld camera approach, with a few films rising above the rest. From Paranormal Activity and V/H/S to Rec and Cloverfield, movies presented as found footage have been dominated by grainy VHS camcorders or night vision security cameras. Made on micro-budgets, found footage is Hollywood...
Review: Found footage is a tricky genre. Since The Blair Witch Project ushered the modern version of the found footage horror movie in 1999, there have been countless attempts to harness the handheld camera approach, with a few films rising above the rest. From Paranormal Activity and V/H/S to Rec and Cloverfield, movies presented as found footage have been dominated by grainy VHS camcorders or night vision security cameras. Made on micro-budgets, found footage is Hollywood...
- 2/7/2023
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Ahead of the EFM, Blue Finch Films has boarded international sales, excluding North America, on horror The Outwaters.
The film follows four friends who set out to make a music video whilst camping in the sun-drenched Mojave desert. Their trip starts off like any other, but the group soon realizes something is not right. Mysterious sounds haunt them, and when a menacing force descends, their horrifying journey begins.
North American rights have been acquired by Cinedigm who plan to release The Outwaters in theaters on February 9 followed by a launch on its horror streaming service Screambox, which is powered by studio Bloody Disgusting.
Written and directed by Robbie Banfitch, The Outwaters has screened at Chattanooga and Panic Fest, and also took home the Jury Prize for Best Feature at Unnamed Footage Festival and Dead of Night Film Festival.
Cast includes Angela Basolis, Michelle May, Scott Schamell and Banfitch and...
The film follows four friends who set out to make a music video whilst camping in the sun-drenched Mojave desert. Their trip starts off like any other, but the group soon realizes something is not right. Mysterious sounds haunt them, and when a menacing force descends, their horrifying journey begins.
North American rights have been acquired by Cinedigm who plan to release The Outwaters in theaters on February 9 followed by a launch on its horror streaming service Screambox, which is powered by studio Bloody Disgusting.
Written and directed by Robbie Banfitch, The Outwaters has screened at Chattanooga and Panic Fest, and also took home the Jury Prize for Best Feature at Unnamed Footage Festival and Dead of Night Film Festival.
Cast includes Angela Basolis, Michelle May, Scott Schamell and Banfitch and...
- 2/3/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
In her Chattanooga Film Festival review, Michelle Swope wrote that Robbie Banfitch's The Outwaters is an "...unsettling, frightfully blood-splattered found footage film..." and beginning on February 9th, Cinedigm and Bloody Disgusting will bring the otherworldly horrors of The Outwaters to theaters, followed by an eventual streaming release on Screambox!
Ahead of the film's anticipated theatrical release, we've been provided with an exclusive character poster and clip from The Outwaters, inviting Daily Dead readers to "see what Angela Bocuzzi saw."
You can check out our exclusive clip and character poster below, and we also have the official press release with more details on The Outwaters:
A throwback to the early days of the found footage genre, The Outwaters will open in select theaters beginning February 9 from Cinedigm and Bloody Disgusting. Following its theatrical run, it will stream exclusively on Screambox.
Memory cards unearthed in a remote stretch of the...
Ahead of the film's anticipated theatrical release, we've been provided with an exclusive character poster and clip from The Outwaters, inviting Daily Dead readers to "see what Angela Bocuzzi saw."
You can check out our exclusive clip and character poster below, and we also have the official press release with more details on The Outwaters:
A throwback to the early days of the found footage genre, The Outwaters will open in select theaters beginning February 9 from Cinedigm and Bloody Disgusting. Following its theatrical run, it will stream exclusively on Screambox.
Memory cards unearthed in a remote stretch of the...
- 1/30/2023
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Every year it seems there's a horror film that manages to play with convention but ultimately feels fresh and new. Last year, it was "Smile," a horror movie that borrows from the tradition of films where our lead is living on borrowed time like "The Ring." In 2023, it's newcomer writer-director Robbie Banfitch's "The Outwaters," a movie that rightfully feels like our generation's "Blair Witch Project" but also manages to be unique, specific, and wholly singular. More and more often, people jump to conclusions and say that found footage horror is finally dead— but "The Outwaters" is a live wire bursting with cosmic horror rage that promises to live inside you on a loop for as long as the unknown stays unknown.
"The Outwaters" is a collection of footage pulled from three memory cards found in the Mojave Desert that chronicle several days in the life of four friends who...
"The Outwaters" is a collection of footage pulled from three memory cards found in the Mojave Desert that chronicle several days in the life of four friends who...
- 1/23/2023
- by Lex Briscuso
- Slash Film
If you saw "Terrifier 2" in theaters, you probably remember feeling unsettled by one particular trailer that played in front of it. That trailer, for a project called "The Outwaters," showcased a ton of eerie, upside-down, and unexplainable footage. If you're anything like me, it's been in the back of your mind ever since.
Well, that initial trailer for "Outwaters" is like a trailer for "The Muppet Movie" in comparison to its latest one. Still flanked with strange imagery and promotional quotes hyping up its scares, it starts to paint a picture of what Robbie Banfitch's film has to offer. Four friends are embarking into the Mojave Desert, dressed in their Coachella finest. Unfortunately, what awaits them is no festival, but the isolating and unforgiving wilderness, one that has been haunted by something truly wicked.
Just how wicked are these strange occurrences, you might ask? Throwing up blood, a proliferation of lacerations,...
Well, that initial trailer for "Outwaters" is like a trailer for "The Muppet Movie" in comparison to its latest one. Still flanked with strange imagery and promotional quotes hyping up its scares, it starts to paint a picture of what Robbie Banfitch's film has to offer. Four friends are embarking into the Mojave Desert, dressed in their Coachella finest. Unfortunately, what awaits them is no festival, but the isolating and unforgiving wilderness, one that has been haunted by something truly wicked.
Just how wicked are these strange occurrences, you might ask? Throwing up blood, a proliferation of lacerations,...
- 1/11/2023
- by Erin Brady
- Slash Film
"A terrifying, suffocating viewing experience." Cinedigm has revealed an official trailer for an indie found footage horror thriller called The Outwaters, the latest from director Robbie Banfitch. This premiered at a few smaller festivals last year, including at Panic Fest and originally at the New Jersey Film Festival. Four travelers experience a mind-bending trip through terror while camping in a remote stretch of the Mojave desert. What exactly do they discover out there…? You'll have to watch to find out. Early reviews praise the film, saying that "Banfitch mercilessly lulls viewers with a soothing intro before ripping open a dark abyss beneath them, flinging them into an immersive pit of visceral madness." The film stars Banfitch, along with Angela Basolis, Scott Schamell, and Michelle May. This trailer doesn't give away anything, showing only bits of footage and a few splatters of chaos. Looks like it gets bloody & terrifying out there in the desert.
- 1/11/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
If you’re like me and want more unapologetic and brutal horror we’ve got you covered with The Outwaters, a throwback to the early days of the found-footage genre that is “the most effective use of the found footage format since The Blair Witch Project” (@DanScully).
Collider is the first to share the trailer and announce that Cinedigm and Bloody Disgusting will be releasing Robbie Banfitch‘s frightening The Outwaters in theaters beginning February 9th. Ticket links are forthcoming.
The buzz around the film has been growing steadily since its successful festival run and culminated when its teaser trailer was shown ahead of Terrifier 2, which was also distributed by Cinedigm and Bloody Disgusting, this past October.
Following its theatrical run, The Outwaters will land exclusively on our horror streaming service as a Screambox Original.
“The Outwaters takes viewers off the beaten path and into their own nightmares.
“The...
Collider is the first to share the trailer and announce that Cinedigm and Bloody Disgusting will be releasing Robbie Banfitch‘s frightening The Outwaters in theaters beginning February 9th. Ticket links are forthcoming.
The buzz around the film has been growing steadily since its successful festival run and culminated when its teaser trailer was shown ahead of Terrifier 2, which was also distributed by Cinedigm and Bloody Disgusting, this past October.
Following its theatrical run, The Outwaters will land exclusively on our horror streaming service as a Screambox Original.
“The Outwaters takes viewers off the beaten path and into their own nightmares.
“The...
- 1/11/2023
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
"A chronicle of omen and doom." That sounds ominous! Cinedigm + Screambox have revealed a first look teaser trailer for some kind of scary indie horror film titled The Outwaters, made by a filmmaker named Robbie Banfitch - who did almost everything on this himself, from sound to FX to editing. It premiered at a few smaller film festivals earlier this year, which is where all the quotes in this trailer are coming from. The synopses provided are all vague: four travelers encounter menacing phenomena while camping in a remote stretch of the Mojave Desert. The trailer is especially vague too, teasing barely anything besides three quick shots, mostly quotes about how crazy and scary and "disturbing" and "divisive" it is. I just wish we could see some more acutal footage. The film stars Banfitch, plus Angela Basolis, Scott Schamell, Michelle May, Leslie Ann Banfitch, Aro Caitlin, and Christine Brown. Check...
- 10/10/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
It was announced two weeks ago that Cinedigm, Bloody Disgusting, and Screambox have teamed to acquire all North American rights to Robbie Banfitch‘s haunting and hellish horror nightmare, The Outwaters.
While the film won’t be released until next year, we did stick a really cool teaser trailer ahead of Terrifier 2 in over 900 theaters this past weekend. The trailer celebrates the film’s festival run and critical praise, while teasing the chaos that will erupt early next year in both theaters and on Screambox.
The visceral, chaotic, and disorienting horror film is hands down one of the scariest films of the year. Nightmarish Conjurings noted it was “a rare gift in horror” and “something [viewers] haven’t seen before,” while our very own Meagan Navarro called it “a singular, experimental descent into depravity and gory chaos.” You have to read her review.
In fact, DailyDead calls it “a terrifying,...
While the film won’t be released until next year, we did stick a really cool teaser trailer ahead of Terrifier 2 in over 900 theaters this past weekend. The trailer celebrates the film’s festival run and critical praise, while teasing the chaos that will erupt early next year in both theaters and on Screambox.
The visceral, chaotic, and disorienting horror film is hands down one of the scariest films of the year. Nightmarish Conjurings noted it was “a rare gift in horror” and “something [viewers] haven’t seen before,” while our very own Meagan Navarro called it “a singular, experimental descent into depravity and gory chaos.” You have to read her review.
In fact, DailyDead calls it “a terrifying,...
- 10/10/2022
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
Huge, huge, huge news today as we’re excited to announce that Cinedigm, Bloody Disgusting, and Screambox have teamed to acquire all North American rights to Robbie Banfitch‘s haunting and hellish horror nightmare, The Outwaters!
The news was first reported by Variety this afternoon.
The visceral, chaotic, and disorienting horror film is hands down one of the scariest films of the year. Nightmarish Conjurings noted it was “a rare gift in horror” and “something [viewers] haven’t seen before,” while our very own Meagan Navarro called it “a singular, experimental descent into depravity and gory chaos.” You have to read her review.
In fact, DailyDead calls it “a terrifying, suffocating viewing experience,” while iHORROR says it’s “on track to become the next cult horror movie,” adding that it’s “the most disturbing movie of the year.”
A throwback to the early days of the found-footage genre, Cinedigm plans to...
The news was first reported by Variety this afternoon.
The visceral, chaotic, and disorienting horror film is hands down one of the scariest films of the year. Nightmarish Conjurings noted it was “a rare gift in horror” and “something [viewers] haven’t seen before,” while our very own Meagan Navarro called it “a singular, experimental descent into depravity and gory chaos.” You have to read her review.
In fact, DailyDead calls it “a terrifying, suffocating viewing experience,” while iHORROR says it’s “on track to become the next cult horror movie,” adding that it’s “the most disturbing movie of the year.”
A throwback to the early days of the found-footage genre, Cinedigm plans to...
- 9/26/2022
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
Cinedigm has acquired all North American rights to horror film “The Outwaters,” a throwback to the early days of the found footage genre.
Written and directed by Robbie Banfitch, “The Outwaters” plays out over three memory cards found in a sun-drenched section of the Mojave Desert. The footage within is that of a foursome, who set out to make a music video while camping, led by a charismatic filmmaker. Their trip starts out uneventful, though their peace is occasionally disrupted by unexplained sounds, vibrations, and unnatural animal behavior. Then one night everything changes, sending the foursome on a mind-bending trip through terror.
The film is enjoying a festival run and won the jury prize for best feature at the Unnamed Footage Festival. It was also appreciated at Panic Fest, The New Jersey Film Festival and the Chattanooga Film Festival. It will play at the Dead of Night Film Festival in Liverpool in October.
Written and directed by Robbie Banfitch, “The Outwaters” plays out over three memory cards found in a sun-drenched section of the Mojave Desert. The footage within is that of a foursome, who set out to make a music video while camping, led by a charismatic filmmaker. Their trip starts out uneventful, though their peace is occasionally disrupted by unexplained sounds, vibrations, and unnatural animal behavior. Then one night everything changes, sending the foursome on a mind-bending trip through terror.
The film is enjoying a festival run and won the jury prize for best feature at the Unnamed Footage Festival. It was also appreciated at Panic Fest, The New Jersey Film Festival and the Chattanooga Film Festival. It will play at the Dead of Night Film Festival in Liverpool in October.
- 9/26/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
As a big fan of found footage, I try to watch as many films in the either loved or hated subgenre as possible. Found footage involves a lot more than just shaky camera work. A good found footage movie succeeds at convincing the audience they are participating in the horrors being documented in the film. Robbie Banfitch’s The Outwaters premiered at this year’s virtual Chattanooga Film Festival and does a great job of making the viewer feel like a part of the terror onscreen, setting up a believable story, and utilizing outstanding practical effects. Unfortunately, the film’s runtime doesn’t do it any favors.
The Outwaters opens with the audio of a 911 call made in 2017, which contains voices screaming for help. Fast forward to 2022, when police discover three memory cards belonging to a group of people who went missing in the Mojave desert. Banfitch plays Robbie Zagorac,...
The Outwaters opens with the audio of a 911 call made in 2017, which contains voices screaming for help. Fast forward to 2022, when police discover three memory cards belonging to a group of people who went missing in the Mojave desert. Banfitch plays Robbie Zagorac,...
- 6/29/2022
- by Michelle Swope
- DailyDead
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