Southern Scares is fun, albeit somewhat underwhelming

Southern Scares from Last Caress Productions opens with a heavy dose of ‘90s nostalgia. 

The story follows two sisters Ellen and Roberta, who host a haunted lore show exploring Southern urban legends and haunted locations. Ellen decides to leave the show, leaving Roberta to find a new co-host and cameraman Cameron. When Roberta suddenly disappears, the only clues left behind are the VHS tapes from their investigations, which mysteriously begin appearing on the doorstep of their grandfather’s video store. Believing her sister is still out there somewhere, Ellen begins watching the tapes to piece together what happened.

Credit: Last Caress Productions

Helping unravel the mystery is Cameron, Roberta’s cameraman, colleague, and sort-of boyfriend. As the tapes progress, you slowly watch Roberta’s mental and emotional deterioration after visiting increasingly haunted locations, with one investigation in particular setting off a strange chain of supernatural events. The film leans more into psychological mystery than outright horror, giving off The Grudge vibes without relying on constant jump scares.

The concept itself is genuinely interesting, and I really enjoyed the overall storyline. The cinematography is one of the film’s strongest points, creating an eerie atmosphere that fits the 90s in the  South perfectly. That said, I think the execution occasionally misses the mark. Several of the scares don’t quite land, and some moments that should build tension lose momentum instead of pulling the audience deeper into the mystery.

As someone who grew up in the South, this movie was especially nostalgic. I recognized many of the locations, and a few of them were even from areas I grew up around, which made the experience much more personal. That familiarity added another layer of enjoyment for me.

The ending was probably the weakest part of the film. While it definitely leaves the door open for a sequel, it felt a little abrupt and left me wanting a stronger payoff. Still, I’d be interested to see where they take the story next if they continue the series.

Overall, Southern Scares has a solid premise, memorable atmosphere, and some playful cinematography, but it falls a bit short when it comes to delivering consistent scares and a satisfying conclusion.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars