Portland Horror Film Festival audiences were treated to the US premier of the haunting film It Needs Eyes. Written and directed by filmmaking duo Zack Ogle (We Got a Monkey’s Paw) and Aaron Pagniano (We Got a Monkey’s Paw), the film follows a teenage girl who becomes lost in online videos in the wake of a traumatic event. After coming across a video of a missing woman named “Fish Tooth,” the teen becomes dangerously obsessed with the mystery.

There have been some great horror films in recent years that showcase the darker side of teens on the internet, but nothing quite like this. Something about the plot that unfolds in It Needs Eyes feels like watching a creepypasta story or a modern age urban legend. When the audience first meets Rowan, the teenage lead, she’s gone to stay with her aunt for the summer after seeing something she shouldn’t have. Teenagers these days are already withdrawn and spend most of the time on their phones, but in this case, it becomes Rowan’s entire life. From the moment she first encounters a video of Fish Tooth, Rowan falls deeper down the rabbit hole as she tries to figure out what happened to this woman. Audiences will be caught in the web of intrigue and terror, firmly at the edge of their seat until the credits roll.

There are so many layers to this story. On the surface, it’s a commentary on how people today, especially teens, spend so much time on their phones seeking some kind of connection, only to become more and more isolated from the world. This can be especially detrimental during those formative years when kids find themselves on the way to adulthood. On a deeper level, the film speaks to the voyeuristic nature of constantly watching what people post online without actively participating. This is especially unnerving when many of those videos, which are all too easy to find, depict violent, horrific events. All of these themes add to the mystery and the horrors that unfold, leading to a frightening finale. The filmmakers brilliantly lay everything out on the table for the audience to put the pieces together, allowing each person to decide for themselves what really happened.

It Needs Eyes has a small core cast, but each performance is a knockout. Raquel Lebish (Becoming Vera) stars as Rowan. Lebish gives a wonderfully layered performance. At first, Rowan comes across as innocent and a bit naive, albeit still quite angsty and withdrawn. As she becomes obsessed with the mystery she stumbled upon, Lebish conveys how easily obsession and determination can mask utter denial. Isadora Leiva (Death of a Fool) plays Rowan’s neighbor, Alex. Alex is the opposite of Rowan in almost every way. She’s outgoing, confident, and rebellious. Leiva is so charismatic as Alex, even when revealing the more self-absorbed, inconsiderate side of the character. Lebish and Leiva have electrifying chemistry, adding an authenticity to their flirtatious connection. Audiences will also be captivated by Lola Blanc (Under the Silver Lake) as the mysterious woman known as “Fish Tooth.” Seen only in online videos, Blanc makes the character enigmatic and haunting to draw viewers in.

This film was shot on a small budget, and it’s amazing what the filmmakers were able to achieve. Through editing and clever camera work, It Needs Eyes at first hides the images from Rowan’s trauma. As the story unfolds, the audience is shown more of that trauma along with what she uncovers in her investigation. Because much of the film consists of Rowan on her phone or her computer, the filmmakers implemented clever tricks to show this while still being visually interesting. Sometimes this is a close-up of Rowan’s eye reflecting what she’s watching. Sometimes this means projecting her text messages onto the wall as she’s texting. While none of this is necessarily that new, the fact that it was all done practically makes it quite the achievement. The deeper Rowan gets, the more disturbing and frightening the imagery becomes. Adding to the artistic appeal are some fantastic locations and a dreamily creepy score composed by Gregory Michael Deiulio (Yes).

It Needs Eyes is a modern urban legend complete with a cautionary tale, relatable characters, and a terrifying mystery to burrow under the skin. Ogle and Pagniano make a fantastic filmmaking team, as they are able to tell an intricate, frightening story on a limited budget. It beautifully weaves together themes most can relate to including loneliness, falling down internet rabbit holes, and self-discovery in a technological age. Both Lebish and Leiva light up the screen, while the sights and sounds deliver the frights. It Needs Eyes is truly a thought-provoking cinematic experience with lore audiences will be buzzing about.

OVERALL RATING: 8.5/10