Just as horror fans were clearing their weekend schedules for the lo-fi nightmare Dooba Dooba, the film has mysteriously vanished. Dark Sky Films pulled the movie from theaters and digital platforms just as it was about to hit the finish line. And they’re giving the cryptic explanation that it was “for a good reason.”
Whether this is a genius marketing stunt or a genuine behind-the-scenes drama, the hype for this “analog horror” has just hit a fever pitch. Here is why everyone is obsessed with a movie they can’t watch right now.
The Hook: Babysitting Gone Bad
If you thought babysitting was just an easy way to make cash, Dooba Dooba is here to ruin your day.
The story follows Amna (Amna Vegha), a struggling singer who takes a last-minute gig. The parents seem a bit “off,” but the real twist is the “child”: Monroe (Betsy Sligh), a 16-year-old girl who is severely traumatized after witnessing her brother’s murder years ago. To keep Monroe from spiraling, Amna has to follow two terrifyingly weird rules: The entire house is monitored by CCTV. And you must say “dooba dooba” every single time you move from one room to another, so Monroe knows it’s you.
The Vibe: Analog Horror at its Best
Director Ehrland Hollingsworth is leaning hard into the “analog horror” trend that has taken the internet by storm. Shot entirely on grainy, glitchy in-home security cameras.
Critics are calling it the lovechild of Paranormal Activity and Skinamarink. It’s 77 minutes of pure, suffocating tension that feels like you’re watching a “snuff tape” found in a dusty attic.
What starts as an awkward night quickly turns into a prison scenario where the power dynamics flip disconcertingly.
Why the Critics are Scared
Before it was pulled, the film was a massive hit on the festival circuit, taking home Best Feature at both the Nightmares Film Festival and Midwest WeirdFest.
Betsy Sligh is reportedly “wonderfully unhinged” as Monroe, creating a parasitic relationship with Amna that is hard to look away from.
It’s described as a “77-minute panic attack” that relies on psychological dread rather than cheap jump scares.
Where is it?
As of right now, Dooba Dooba has no new release date. Dark Sky Films is staying tight-lipped, which only adds to the film’s “cursed” reputation. It’s the ultimate “word-of-mouth” movie. And we’re all asking, “When can I actually see this?” Right now, we’re just going to wait and see. Hopefully, a new date will come soon.
