If you’re someone who spends a lot of time on YouTube or TikTok, you likely will recognize popular content creators Kris Collins (aka KallMeKris) and Celina Myers (aka CelinaSpookyBoo). Now, these two have made their way to the big screen with House on Eden, Collins’s feature film debut as writer and director. The film follows three paranormal investigators who go to a house hidden away deep in the woods. Once there, the trio experience bizarre happenings that become increasingly sinister.

House on Eden is a found footage style film that begins with a familiar setup. These three friends make a living by filming their paranormal investigations to share online. While on the way to a cemetery the team researched, Kris decides to surprise her friends by taking them to a reportedly haunted house no one has ever investigated before. Despite some initial pushback, the others decide to check the place out. From the moment they enter the secluded home, it’s clear something is off. As the plot progresses and the pieces of the supernatural puzzle come together, it feels as if the film heavily borrows from other features such as The Blair Witch Project and Hereditary. The basic idea driving the plot is interesting, but it fails to live up to the films it’s trying to emulate. It leaves too many things unknown and various scenes lead to nowhere. Having some elements remain a mystery is fine, but leaving the film with more questions than answers ultimately dampens a lot of the suspense. With found footage, a lot of the time filmmakers can get away with a loose plot as long as it delivers the scares. There is one scene in House on Eden that might deliver chills, but overall it feels more like waiting for scares that never come.

While the people in House on Eden are acting, they’re also playing themselves. Collins plays herself, but she also wrote her character in a way that makes her seem rather unlikeable. There are times she delivers some laughs, but for the most part she comes off as selfish and rude. This might make sense with the plot, but it seems like a strange choice when playing yourself. Myers also plays herself. At first, her performance comes across a bit exaggerated to the point of being annoying. Yet as the plot progresses, it’s clear she becomes more comfortable and natural. Jason-Christopher “Jay” Mayer is another online content creator and editor playing himself. Mayer delivers one of the more grounded, realistic performances of the film. Even when no one else is listening, he manages to be the voice of reason. Because these three are friends in real life, it makes their on-screen chemistry quite strong.

With this being a low budget, indie found footage film, there isn’t much money to put towards visual aspects. Yet House on Eden manages to create some interest. This is primarily achieved by showing the events through a range of different film formats. The different film qualities and aspect ratios showcase a range of POVs while also giving a nod to found footage throughout film history. On top of that, there are a few subtle yet well done practical effects for the more intense moments. The real standout is the set. Surrounded by woods, the isolated home is imposing and eerie. It has a labyrinthine layout, especially in the upper levels, making the floor plan confusing and easy to get lost in. There is also an interesting outdoor set used for one of the most eye-catching scenes of the film. House on Eden really lucked out finding these locations, because they help to elevate the production value significantly.

Fans of Kris Collins and Celina Myers are sure to appreciate House on Eden, but horror fans will find themselves wishing for more depth and scares. Collins certainly could have a future in horror filmmaking, but she would likely benefit from more lore building and creating new characters not based on real people. The performances are fine, the visuals are minimalistic but decent, and the final shot of the film is as striking as it is memorable. Because House on Eden has a rather barebones plot and lacks scares, it ultimately suffers the worst fate that can befall a found footage film – it’s forgettable. You can see House on Eden for yourself exclusively in theaters beginning July 25th.

OVERALL RATING: 4/10