Confronting family trauma has long been a common theme in horror films. Whether it’s about becoming like our parents or dealing with a generational curse, it’s a topic many filmmakers have shown.
However, this doesn’t mean new movies can’t bring fresh ideas to these familiar themes.
As the saying goes, we’ve been telling the same few stories since Shakespeare’s time, but in the hands of the right filmmaker, these stories can still feel new and exciting.
This is exactly what happens with Danny Villanueva Jr.’s What Happened to Dorothy Bell.
The film, which premiered at this year’s Fantastic Fest, follows Ozzie Gray (played by Asya Meadows) as she returns to her hometown to face difficult truths about her past, particularly the death of her grandmother.
Ozzie feels a deep connection to her grandmother’s death, which happened under tragic circumstances.
The movie is presented as found footage, mostly through Ozzie’s video diaries, where she tries to process her trauma. Her family has also become part of an urban legend about the “Witch Librarian of Spellbound.”
This ghostly figure is said to be the spirit of Ozzie’s grandmother, who once worked at the local library. After a breakdown, she took her own life, leaving Ozzie with both physical and emotional scars.
The movie takes viewers through Ozzie’s journey of grief. She convinces a janitor to let her spend time in the library after hours and attends therapy during the day. The film mostly focuses on Meadows, with other actors playing minor roles.
Despite being relatively new to acting, Meadows carries the entire film on her shoulders.
Her performance truly shines when she begins to suspect that there may be some truth behind the frightening stories about her grandmother.
As Ozzie digs deeper, the film takes on a more intense tone, and Meadows’ abilities as a horror actress become evident.
A Fresh Take on the Found Footage Format
The found footage style used in What Happened to Dorothy Bell might not be the most dynamic, but it is still effective. For someone with vision issues, the static black-and-white security footage might not seem like the best way to build tension.
Despite this, the film manages to find creative ways to use the format. One interesting choice is to include Ozzie’s online therapy sessions as part of the film.
The mix of found footage and urban legend is a smart move, as it allows the movie to pull from online sources like Google and YouTube, not just Ozzie’s video diaries.
Still from What Happened to Dorothy Bell (Credit: How Bizarre Pictures)
Ozzie’s connection to the urban legend keeps the story moving forward, even when it could have slowed down.
Although the mental health aspect isn’t shown as deeply as it could have been, Ozzie’s personal involvement in the legend adds to the suspense.
Instead of just waiting for the next scare, the viewer becomes invested in finding closure for Ozzie. Without giving too much away, the scares that do happen are well-timed and effective, adding to the full creepiness of the story.
Making the Most of a Short Runtime
At just 80 minutes long, What Happened to Dorothy Bell could have used more time to fully develop its story.
The film picks up speed in the final ten minutes, and some parts feel underdeveloped. There are moments of silence that could have been filled with more content.
Still, for an indie film with a small budget, it’s a well-crafted story. Unlike other films at Fantastic Fest, What Happened to Dorothy Bell feels original, not just a mix of ideas borrowed from more famous movies.
While the film doesn’t nail everything perfectly, it’s clear that Villanueva Jr. has a strong vision for the story he wants to tell.
He doesn’t rely on the found footage style to cover up weaknesses in the plot. Instead, he uses it as a tool to show deeper themes like family, mental health, and legacy.
The format fits the story perfectly. Villanueva Jr. shows great promise as a filmmaker, with a clear and focused approach to his storytelling.
It’s not about fancy effects or digital tricks, but about telling a story that comes from a deep place in both the mind and the heart. This is what both Villanueva Jr. and Ozzie are doing — telling a story that refuses to be forgotten.
The first trailer for The Last of Us Season 2 has been released, and it brings a lot of emotion for fans of the game. The trailer carries an emotional tone that everyone who has played the game anticipated after Season 1 ended.
Even though it might be a while until the new episodes are available, the trailer offers a view into what awaits Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey). Fans are excited to see what lies ahead in their journey. But, watch out for the clickers!
“Future Days” by Pearl Jam Has Deep Meaning in Season 2
Throughout the trailer, Pearl Jam’s song “Future Days” plays in the background. Music has always been essential in The Last of Us, and this song holds special importance for Joel and Ellie. Joel plays it for Ellie when they settle in Jackson after the events of the first game.
The song’s lyrics reflect Joel’s feelings for Ellie, as she is the person keeping him grounded. The chorus of the song reflects Joel’s hope for a peaceful future with Ellie, treating her like his daughter as they both live in Jackson. Eventually, the song will hold a new meaning for Ellie, too.
New Characters Appear in Jackson in Season 2
At the end of Season 1, Joel saves Ellie and they return to Jackson. They are welcomed by Joel’s brother, Tommy (Gabriel Luna), and his wife, Maria (Rutina Wesley). The first part of the game takes place in Jackson and introduces several new characters.
The trailer gives a quick look at some of them, including Jesse (Young Mazino) and Dina (Isabela Merced), two of Ellie’s close friends. Jesse and Dina were once together, but even though Dina becomes pregnant, they part ways while staying close for their child’s sake.
A later scene shows Ellie playing guitar to Dina, hinting at their relationship becoming romantic. Another new character is a therapist, played by Catherine O’Hara, who speaks to Joel about his guilt over his past actions.
Winter Brings New Challenges for Joel and Ellie in Season 2
While there are tender moments, such as Joel and Ellie playing the guitar together, it is clear that winter has set in. The trailer shows snow-covered scenes filled with clickers, even attacking humans. Ellie is also seen fighting clickers in snow-covered corridors.
The beginning of the game also takes place during the winter, with heavy snow everywhere. Joel and Tommy save survivors from clickers in the buildings near Jackson. Ellie and Dina join later, and they fight through dark and cold areas, just like in the scenes from the trailer. However, the battles aren’t just against clickers.
New Enemies With Ties to Joel and Ellie’s Past Appear in Season 2
Among the snowy scenes, the trailer introduces a young woman with red eyes, likely from crying. This is Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), the main antagonist of the game. Joel and Ellie are likely the reason for her pain. Abby has a personal connection to both of them, and she is seeking revenge.
While she plays the role of an antagonist, she also has her own storyline in the game, where the player controls her character. Abby’s story explores her past, making her a tragic figure similar to Ellie. Her journey brings her to meet Joel and Ellie near Jackson, but she comes from Seattle.
Old Places Return and New Locations Emerge in Season 2
Season 2 begins in Jackson during the winter, but Joel and Ellie must leave the safety of their community to find new quests. Some of their journey will bring them back to places from the first game, like Salt Lake City, but new places will also be shown.
Most of the action happens in Seattle. The trailer shows Ellie and Dina moving through a subway train bathed in red lights, which likely happens in Seattle or on their way there.
In Seattle, Abby and her friends are part of the Washington Liberation Front (WLF), a group formed after the fall of FEDRA. The WLF is led by Isaac (Jeffrey Wright), who appears interrogating a man in the trailer. This man might be the same person seen earlier, with scars on his face.
These scars are typical of another group from Seattle, the Seraphites. The Seraphites are religious zealots who control an island off the coast and fight the WLF for dominance.
The Last of Us Season 2 Will Arrive in 2025
Fans of The Last of Us can look forward to the next chapter in 2025. Until then, Season 1 is available for streaming on Max in the U.S.
