Mind Body Spirit is an Effective Found-Footage Horror Film

At this point, we’ve witnessed countless representations of found footage in the horror genre. However, the new indie flick titled Mind Body Spirit from Welcome Villain Films emerges as a fresh addition to horror, offering a niche perspective that amalgamates elements of our influencer/streamer era, and an exploration of family dynamics and identity, all wrapped in a cloak of pure tension-driven horror.

Mind Body Spirit | Welcome Villain Films

Leveraging the Influencer/Streamer Era

Mind Body Spirit intelligently taps into the nuances of today's influencer and streamer culture, serving as a mirror to the society obsessed with curating online personas.

As the film delves into the protagonist's aspiring journey as an influencer, the Yoga-esque horror flick explores the blurry space between reality and performance, thus questioning the authenticity of one's online presence and its impact on mental well-being. And these aren’t empty or basic conversations either — there are some real opportunities to show that these ideas can be applied with more than one personality (as seen with Kenzie Fit) opening doors for conversations surrounding appropriation.

Complex Family Dynamics and Identity Crisis

At the center of the film lies the intricate family relationships that shape these characters' identities, going across three generations of women. Through a series of unsettling events and carefully addressed relationships, the film elucidates how familial histories and traumas can profoundly influence individual behavior and redefine one's sense of self.

While the backdrop is something that’s clearly rooted in supernatural elements and spiritual horrors, the true terror stems from its grounded depiction of unsettling family conflicts. And these conflicts run deep.

A Return to Subtle Terror

Contrary to the contemporary trend of bombarding audiences with gratuitous jump scares or a hair-raising score, Mind Body Spirit opts for a more realty-focused, restrained approach, focusing on building tension through psychological horror and eerie atmospheres.

For example, within the first few minutes, the film wastes no time and crafts a sense of unease that remains throughout its duration, proving that horror can still rely on a less-is-more approach where scares are associated with the unknown. Or in this case, a vacant space within her new house. Dark corners, dingey crawl spaces, a book with a step-by-step process as depicted through spooky doodles — we’re here for all of it.

Mind Body Spirit is available to rent and purchase via all major digital platforms, now.