Review: ‘Horror in the High Desert 3: Firewatch’ holds its chilling cards close to the vest

Few found footage series are as consistent as Dutch Marich’s Horror in the High Desert. With the third installment, titled Horror in the High Desert 3: Firewatch, the filmmaker expands upon the lore established in the previous two entries to create an alarming world of desert “people.” Marich builds upon foundational elements, as he introduces a new character named Oscar (Marco Parra) and reveals how he links to the previous films. What is marvelous and terrifying about Marich’s latest outing is that he banks on the things you don’t see in suffocating darkness. His talent for building dread is impressive; Firewatch requires a bulldozer to crash through the mood and atmosphere he’s constructed. Sometimes, less is more, and the mastermind knows exactly what that means, teasing you ever step of the way.

Oscar becomes obsessed with Gary Hinge’s disappearance — so much so that he mounts an expedition of his very own out into the expansive Nevada deserts. A charming character, Oscar galavants across the terrain, first exuding excitement for what could be a defining moment of his life. But as he treks further into the sweltering, dusty heat, he grows wary and more tense, his mental space clearly rattled. What lies in the thick of Nevada is far and beyond his wildest imagination.

In many ways, it’s difficult to describe exactly how unsettling the film really is. You have to experience it for yourself to feel the pressurized nature of the blackness that surrounds Oscar. What’s hidden within the shadows leaves plenty to the imagination; it’s far better to allow the audience to fill in the blanks than reveal the entire hand. Marich tugs the viewer into his world and lets their minds run wild. Horror in the High Desert 3: Firewatch puts you in a chokehold, leaving you to gasp for breath. Much like the previous films, it’s the third act that is most deliciously disquieting.

Just when you expect a jump scare, Marich pulls back the reins. It’s less about jolting you awake than it is about blanketing you in fear. The world seems to engulf Oscar, and the eyes in the darkness track his every move. You never know exactly what could be waiting for you around the next corner. The film’s strengths lie in keeping the cards close to the vest, exposing only glimpses into the mystery. Dutch Marich brilliantly captures what scares us the most: the unknown. Found footage is a much better genre with Marich firmly planted within its mesmerizing sphere.

Horror in the High Desert 3: Firewatch is expected to hit VOD soon.

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