True crime documentaries have become a huge staple of modern entertainment culture. From movies to miniseries, the documentation of grisly murders and corrupt cover-ups has become a permanent subgenre of documentary filmmaking. Because of how widespread it is, it also leaves room for inspired works of fiction to crop up in its stead. This is where Strange Harvest comes in, a true crime mockumentary about an occult serial killer the media dubs “Mr. Shiny”, who returns two decades after his initial murder spree to spread more chaos. Interviews with fictional detectives Joe Kirby and Lexi Taylor round out the mystery. Strange Harvest is also very much a horror movie, filled with plenty of terrifying tropes you’d expect from your typical slasher film. These are stitched together with the documentarian presentation of the film. Not only does it make this one of the unique horror movies of 2025, but an experience that expertly blends the line between reality and fiction. There is, however, one glaring constant that dampens some elements. But, story and character-wise, the film is an immersive roller coaster.
Strange Harvest Perfectly Blends The Line Between Reality & Fiction

Strange Harvest opens with a convincing introduction, revealing a family of three as the first victims in Mr. Shiny’s return. Right away, the movie establishes that it will be like a real true-crime documentary. Interviews with Peter Zizzo’s Kirby and Terri Apple’s Taylor feel genuine, with the way they hold themselves and the terminology they use typical of any detective being interviewed. That convincing nature spreads outward to many other memorable interview subjects as well. But interviews are nothing without true-to-life presentation, and for the most part, Strange Harvest doesn’t disappoint. Utilizing elements of both documentary and found footage horror, the movie puts together a narrative that’s fully convincing in how real it feels. Even though the premise is clearly fictitious, it’s been a while since I’ve felt so locked in watching a horror movie’s events unfold. It excels at making you forget that you’re watching a fictional film. This is aided by the portrayal of Mr. Shiny himself. As the movie progresses, more is revealed about his motives and what’s driving him to kill. What aids in making him a terrifying force is not only how cunning the movie makes him out to be, but also the clear influence that’s pulled from real-world serial killers. Shiny’s murders are Zodiac Killer meets the Son of Sam, with a unique spin that keeps the trail fresh as the detectives’ pursuit of him unfolds.
Strange Harvest’s Attempts At Bringing Shock & Horror Often Fall Flat

Unfortunately, Strange Harvest’s weakest element is one it tries so desperately to make its strongest: shocking horror. The movie doesn’t shy away from showcasing Mr. Shiny’s murders in gruesome detail. However, the presentation of these disturbing images is often more visceral than anything a real true-crime documentary would present, sensationalized with generic horror sound effects. It’s also muddled by multiple deaths that are censored or not shown in ways a real documentary would approach them. While there’s something to be said about the sensationalism of horrible deaths and what message Strange Harvest might be trying to send with them, the moments are jarring and out of place, especially in contrast to the tactful mixture of clinical and dramatic the rest of the movie presents. Luckily, the further along the film progresses, the less these moments transpire, eventually leading to a forceful second act that just keeps building on its more positive attributes.
There’s one spoilery element that is my favorite part. The film pulls from the likes of True Detective in how it portrays the occult murders Mr. Shiny is committing. However, there’s a unique element to this that shines through, especially in the back half, that makes the movie stand out even more. The incorporation is stellar and succinct, perfectly portrayed up to Strange Harvest’s very last second. Although its shoddy attempts at horror are more immersion-breaking than intended, Strange Harvest is still a monument to how well the true crime genre can be employed for fictional storytelling. By taking advantage of its documentary style, the movie offers a twisted narrative that only gets better over its runtime. The structure and scariness of Mr. Shiny’s motives go hand-in-hand to create a chilling crime mockumentary that I’ll remember for a long time to come. Strange Harvest will be released on August 8, 2025.

Strange Harvest

7/10

Release Date

September 22, 2024

Runtime

94 Minutes

Director

Stuart Ortiz

Writers

Stuart Ortiz

Peter Zizzo

Det. Joe Kirby

Terri Apple

Det. Alexis Lexi Taylor

Pros & Cons

Strange Harvest’s true crime documentary presentation makes the horror more immersive.
Convincing performances bolster an already stellar display.
The movie does some very unique things with the genre in its second half.

Attempts at shock horror can severely break the immersion.