Found Footage Movie Review – LearX

I have to say that I think with “LearX” we have a new niche in this subgenre, and that’s the ASMR horror film. There’s something soothing about hearing the main character talking about the challenge they are engaging in, and then going about some routine household chores to pass the time as they wait for the evening. I am sure it wasn’t intended, but it’s there, and ya know what, I ain’t mad. In a forest of similar films where everyone is screaming every time the wind blows, it’s nice to not have that – until things get for real-real and the main character comes face to face with, well…

“LearX” is the story of a man trying to win a social media challenge. The challenge, posted online by a mysterious account, offers a prize of $100,000 to the person who can film themselves making it through the night in what is purported to be a haunted house. The house has a dark history, but the lure of the prize is strong, and so our protagonist sets up a camera and begins to detail what brought him there, the contest, and then goes about biding his time while he waits for night to fall. As the evening approaches, there are strange sounds, an eerie feeling, and whether or not there is prize money waiting at the end becomes second to the question of how real the legend of the malevolent spirit that haunts it is. 

Like the filmmaker’s film “Bagma,” this is a one-person production with the weight falling solely onto the shoulders of the character we see on screen. Largely, this works, as they are engaging, sincere, and don’t stammer as they tell you about what is going on. While the style of the film isn’t as engaging, that’s a conscious choice, as the camera is steady and appears to be a stand-in for a webcam. 

Anyone who can make a film on their own, starring only themselves, and using what they have available, gets my admiration. People talk themselves out of making movies all the time because they can’t do it the way they want to do it. There’s something to be said about just doing it. And, while you can tell they are learning as they are making movies, there’s something to be said for that as well. The willingness to keep evolving storytelling and style to get better at your craft. 

Overall, this feels like a short film idea stretched into a feature film. There just isn’t enough going on, or enough lore to make it a feature. The core idea needs to be fleshed out and refined, there needs to be a few more scares, and there needs to be fewer moments that feel like padding.

I saw the ending coming, but it still works, though, again, it could be refined. It’s not easy to make a film on one’s own, but with some more work put into the story, and some time put into figuring out some effective ways to create scares, this definitely becomes a movie to recommend. 

As it stands, it’s charming and admirable, but still needs some seasoning. The flavor is getting there, and a style for the filmmaker is emerging; it just needs a little time to cook and a little more flavor to make it irresistible. 

Keep at it! 

2 out of 5