Found footage is having a massive resurgence in 2026, and Dark Atlantic Studios is leaning into the chaos with the first trailer for Strawstalker. Written and directed by George Henry Horton, this campy, “over-the-top” nightmare proves that the only thing more dangerous than a supernatural entity is a content creator with a dead battery.
The film is set to be harvested by Indie Rights for a release later this spring.
Do It for the ‘Gram (and the Gore)
Meet Henry and Haley. They are a rising influencer power couple who have just secured their dream home in Oak Bridge. Their home sits in a curated Los Angeles neighborhood marketed as the “safest place on Earth.” Naturally, they plan to film every “spontaneous” second of their domestic bliss.
However, the land has other plans. When a menacing scarecrow appears behind their backyard hedge, Henry assumes it’s just a viral marketing prank designed to boost their engagement. Haley, the more grounded (but still complicit) half of the duo, keeps the camera rolling even as the vibe shifts from “lifestyle vlog” to “slaughterhouse.”
It turns out Oak Bridge isn’t just a neighborhood; it’s an audience. And the local legend is clear: the Strawstalker specifically hunts those who aren’t what they seem. In a city built on filters and fabrications, that’s bad news for everyone.
A Word from the Creator
Director George Henry Horton is aiming for a “tongue-in-cheek” critique of the performative nature of modern LA:
“I’ve always been fascinated by the San Fernando Valley. Not that long ago, it was all farmland,” Horton shared. “You can’t help but wonder what the land remembers… and what it might say about us now. Strawstalker was born out of those ideas and a bit of eye-rolling at how performative life in LA can be.”
Why We’re Watching
A supernatural scarecrow in the middle of a gated suburb? It’s the kind of practical, campy horror that feels like a throwback to 90s urban legends. The film targets the “carefully crafted lie” of influencer culture. It makes the protagonists’ inevitable panic feel both earned and hilariously frantic. Oak Bridge is designed to feel “slightly off.” Leaning into that uncanny valley of suburban perfection where the silence is as loud as a scream.
The Bottom Line: If your brand is built on being fake, you might want to steer clear of the San Fernando Valley and turn off our phone. Strawstalker is coming to prove that some secrets are best left buried under the asphalt.
