British writer and director Matthew Butler-Hart (Two Down, The Isle) brings to life an all new horror film, Dagr. Co-written alongside Tori Butler-Hart (Two Down, The Isle), this film is an interesting blend of found footage and folk horror that pits Gen Z YouTubers against a dark entity with murderous intentions.

While Dagr might not necessarily bring anything new and exciting to the found footage subgenre of horror, it’s still a thrilling film with a healthy dose of dark humor to keep audiences entertained. The film introduces us to two groups of people with their own storylines, eventually bringing these lines together for the frightening climax. First, we meet two best friends with a very unique YouTube channel where they film themselves stealing things from rich people, which they then sell and donate the money, like a modern-day Robin Hood. This time, they’re posing as caterers for a commercial shoot. The duo plans to set up cameras around the location, as well as wearing body cams, to film themselves stealing any wardrobe or film equipment they can. The audience also meets the small cast and crew of the commercial shoot as they beginning filming, until the day takes a sudden, deadly turn.

What makes Dagr such an intriguing film is how it allows the audience to get to know the characters, especially the YouTubers, before diving into the horror. What these women do for their show will surely seem dumb and dangerous to older viewers. However, the audience gets a bit of a behind-the-scenes look at how these friends interact and learn why they do the show, making these well-meaning yet naive young women endearing. On the other hand, some viewers might wish there had been a bit more context for the supernatural elements. There are really only two brief scenes that provide a bit of incite into the history of the remote house the commercial is filming at. It’s enough for the events of the film to make sense, but there may still be some unanswered questions by the time the film ends.

When it comes to found footage, the performances can make or break the film. Luckily, Dagr has a great cast. Riz Moritz makes her feature-film debut as Louise, one half of the YouTuber duo. Louise is the more sweet and cautious friend, which means she is naturally the first one to express concern when things get weird. Moritz is fantastic in this role and portrays Louise in a way that allows the audience to instantly connect with her. Ellie Duckles (The A List, The Bay) plays the second member of the YouTube team, Thea. Thea is a very outgoing, vibrant person that easily draws people in with her charm. Duckles embodies Thea’s personality quite well, while also making it apparent she is the more skeptical of the two women, naturally coming up with logical explanations for the strange things they encounter. While individually both Moritz and Duckles are wonderful, their chemistry together is what makes these two so fun to watch. Their friendship feels so genuine, especially with one being more introverted, while the other being extroverted.

Throughout the film, the audience is meant to believe there are two different groups doing their own filming, and Dagr is the result of that footage being edited together to help the police with their investigation. The editing is certainly well done. It weaves back and forth between the two groups, eventually bringing them together, implementing different film formats such as iPhones, professional cameras, hidden cameras, and more. There is only a bit of blood and gore featured in the film that is still well done. At the climax of Dagr there is also a bit of CGI used to create a mysterious, pixelated glimpse at the evil entity threatening these people. While this looks fine and adds to the fear of the unknown, it might have been more terrifying and impactful if the filmmakers had leaned into a practically created occult look for the folk horrors ruling the secluded country estate.

Dagr puts the modern, technological age against ancient occult terrors in this found footage, folk horror mash-up. Butler-Hart creates a film with interesting, dynamic characters that the audience can connect with before thrusting them into the horrors awaiting them in the countryside. Moritz and Duckles are the highlight of Dagr, giving compelling performances as they bring these Gen Z, internet-famous YouTubers to life. The plot could have expanded on the occult elements and created more unique visuals, but the end result is still quite entertaining, disarming the audience with laughs before delivering thrills and chills.

OVERALL RATING: 7/10