Shadow People (previously known as The Door) is a 2013 American supernatural horror thriller film written and directed by Matthew Arnold in his feature directorial debut. It stars Dallas Roberts, Alison Eastwood, Anne Dudek, and Mattie Liptak.

Shadow People
DVD poster
Directed byMatthew Arnold
Written byMatthew Arnold
Story byMatthew Arnold
Travis Rooks
Produced byMichael Ohoven
StarringDallas Roberts
Alison Eastwood
Anne Dudek
Mattie Liptak
CinematographyMatthew Heckerling
Edited byMartin Hunter
Todd Killingsworth
Herbert James Winterstern
Music byCorey Wallace
Production
companies
Infinity Media
Upload Films
Distributed byAnchor Bay Films
Release date
  • March 19, 2013 (2013-03-19) (USA)
Running time
89 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

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The film begins with a series of videos posted to YouTube, with users of the website relating their experiences with unexplained sightings. Later, radio talk show host Charlie Crowe (Dallas Roberts) becomes convinced that mysterious nocturnal entities known as shadow people are responsible for a spate of deaths in his hometown. He is joined by CDC investigator Sophie Lacombe (Alison Eastwood), who seeks a more rational explanation.

Cast

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Production

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Shadow People was filmed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Phnom Penh, Cambodia.[citation needed]

The film mixes dramatic scenes with both real and simulated archival footage. The simulated footage includes interviews with the characters from the dramatic scenes, while the actual footage incorporates segments from the 2008 web documentary Your Worst Nightmare.[1]

The movie is dedicated to victims of Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome (SUNDS).

Release

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The film made its Marché du Film premiere during the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.[2] It was released on DVD and Blu-ray on March 19, 2013.[3]

Reception

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Matt Molgaard of Best Horror Movies wrote, "This is a stirring flick, and in truth, I’d be holding back if I called Shadow People anything other than an outstanding success that far exceeded expectations ... Shadow People has already established itself as one of 2013’s most inspired efforts."[4] David Maine of PopMatters wrote, "Shadow People is a spooky little movie that could have been much spookier, but still makes good use of its limited means to convey an unsettling story."[5] Ain't It Cool News declared that "it made me think twice about turning on the light as I went to bed. Any film that does that is a winner in my book."[6] Brad McHargue of Dread Central rated the film 1.5 out of 5 stars and called the film "novel and ambitious" but too messy to fulfill the potential of the premise.[7] Pat Torfe of Bloody Disgusting rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, writing that Shadow People lacks balance and "doesn't know what it is."[8] Thomas Marcum of The Crypto Crew said "the movie is well done all the way around and well worth watching".[9]

References

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  1. ^ Sedensky, Ian (March 13, 2013). "Shadow People (2012)". Culture Crypt. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  2. ^ Kemp, Stuart (May 25, 2012). "Cannes 2012: 'Shadow People' Picked Up by Anchor Bay for North America, the U.K, New Zealand". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  3. ^ Turek, Ryan (January 22, 2013). "Anchor Bay Sets Release Date for Shadow People Starring Walking Dead's Dallas Roberts". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  4. ^ Molgaard, Matt (March 27, 2013). "'Shadow People 2013 Review'". Best Horror Movies. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  5. ^ Maine, David (March 19, 2013). "'Shadow People', a Low Budget Creeper, Is Low on Effects, High on Atmospherics". PopMatters. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  6. ^ Miller, Mark (March 19, 2013). "'AICN HORROR talks about Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome with director of Shadow People, Matthew Arnold! Plus a review of the film!'". Ain't It Cool News.
  7. ^ McHargue, Brad (March 17, 2013). "Shadow People (Blu-ray / DVD)". Dread Central. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  8. ^ Torfe, Pat (March 24, 2013). "[BD Review] 'Shadow People' Flickers Between Creepy and Confusing". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  9. ^ Marcum, Thomas (March 14, 2013). "'Shadow People Movie Review'". Crypto Crew.
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