In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, YouTube vlogger Gary Hinge disappeared while on a survival quest in the Nevada high desert. Director Dutch Marich uses a mixture of fictional talking head interviews, drone footage and the found footage narrative style to build up the mystery around Gary’s disappearance. On his return to the mystery cabin, Gary smells smoke and hears what sounds like chanting with distortion. He decides to investigate.
What Happened To Gary Hinge?
While it’s not clear what happened to Gary Hinge in the end of Horror in the High Desert, it is important to note that this pseudo-documentary was made just after the pandemic hit and people were encouraged to stay home and under quarantine. As such, director Dutch Marich had to get creative in order to create his film using a combination of talking heads, drone footage and fictional found footage to tell Gary’s story. Gary was an experienced hiker who often traveled to remote areas of Nevada on his own to hike and camp. When he failed to return from his latest excursion, his sister Beverly reported him missing to authorities and they began searching for him. The search was eventually called off due to the secluded nature of the area and the fact that Gary had turned off his cell phone before he left. However, a few months later, a backpack containing Gary’s belongings was discovered at a campground. The contents inside included a camcorder with Gary’s severed hand still holding it.
The video camera was a big clue for investigators as Gary had posted several videos online about his recent hiking trip to the desert and even mentioned this mysterious cabin that was nearby. Upon viewing the video, many of his followers were skeptical about his claim and questioned why he didn’t offer any proof or documentation. Others demanded that he reveal the location of the cabin while another group of viewers dared him to return and prove it once and for all. A private investigator named Bill Salerno and investigative journalist Gal Roberts were brought in to examine the evidence at the scene of the crime. Initially, they focused on the truck where numerous fingerprints were found, but none of them match Gary’s and a set of barefoot footprints was also uncovered. However, since the John Doe’s fingerprints didn’t match any database, the case seemed to be at a dead end.
But as time went by and no news of Gary was heard, Bill and Gal started to dig deeper. That’s when they came across a promising clue on the YouTube channel where Gary used to post his hiking and survival adventures under the moniker Scorpion Sam. It turns out that a group of social media users and influencers had begun documenting their own excursions to the desert in hopes of finding the mysterious shack and the man who attacked the vlogger.
Is Horror In The High Desert A Good Movie?
Dutch Marich has done a good job of creating an intriguing world with terrifying implications in his film, and his movie will definitely thrill found footage fans. However, the scope of the story may have been a little bit too big for the film’s short runtime. He bounces from one victim to the next without any real transition, and the expansion of the lore and characters is a little too rapid for the film’s pace. Taking inspiration from the disappearance of vlogger Kenny Veach, Horror in the High Desert is a pseudo-documentary that follows outdoor enthusiast and survivalist Gary Hinge (Eric Mencis) as he explores a mysterious desert cabin in Nevada. He is later slashed to death by a mysterious attacker and the case remains unsolved until a break in the investigation leads to shocking video evidence.
The film combines talking head interviews with footage from Gary’s hiking expeditions to create a narrative that is both informative and frightening. The documentary elements work well to build up a mystery around what happened to Gary, and the use of long stretches of intimidating emptiness adds to the feeling that the audience is on the edge of their seat as they await a horrifying conclusion. As the movie progresses, it becomes clear that something is lurking in the desert. A strange noise, a smokey smell, and disorienting music all point to the possibility that the attacker was a supernatural force. However, it is also possible that the attacker was a human who killed Hinge for reasons that are not entirely clear.
In the end, the movie delivers a surprising twist that reveals the truth behind Gary’s death. The shocking climax is well-executed, and the use of shaky camera work and creepy background music helps to create a sense of tension that will send chills down the spine of viewers. The ending is shocking and leaves the viewer wanting more. It is clear that director Dutch Marich has a vision for his film series and will continue to develop the lore and world of Horror in the High Desert with each new installment.
Is Horror In The High Desert A Bad Movie?
The film’s eerie setting and blurring of reality and fiction make it a compelling watch for horror enthusiasts and those interested in exploring the boundaries of documentary filmmaking. The lack of a musical score allows the film’s natural sounds to play an important role in building tension and creating an unsettling atmosphere. In addition, the film’s use of found footage and its realistic portrayal of Gary’s disappearance adds to the intrigue and suspense. Although the film claims to be based on true events, no concrete evidence has been presented, so it is impossible to determine its authenticity. Regardless, the film’s unique approach to documentary filmmaking and its realistic depiction of the desert’s landscape create a compelling story that will keep viewers guessing as to what actually happened.
Despite its low-budget, independent production, Horror in the High Desert is a well-crafted horror film that utilizes the ambiguity of its genre to great effect. Director Dutch Marich’s background in documentary filmmaking gives the movie a genuine feel, while his dedication to blurring the line between reality and fiction heightens the tension. The movie’s creepy atmosphere is enhanced by the use of a haunting sound track and a menacing desert backdrop. In addition, the movie’s minimal use of dialogue helps to build suspense and maintain the audience’s attention. The characters in the film are believable and well-written, adding to the overall effect of the movie’s horror. However, the lack of a traditional musical score may detract from the film’s overall effectiveness.
Conclusion
In the end, the story leaves some questions unanswered, but there is enough evidence to suggest that a sequel is in the works. Hopefully, this sequel will improve upon the first movie’s flaws and deliver a satisfying conclusion to the story of Gary Hinge. Unlike its predecessor, Horror in the High Desert 2 Minerva takes a quicker and more focused approach to its storytelling. The movie expands on the mythology of the desert, introducing new characters and potential supernatural elements. In addition, the sequel’s use of voiceover ‘journalism’ and blurred imagery adds to the ambiguity of the narrative.
