‘Shelby Oaks’ trailer: Chilling first look at Chris Stuckmann’s found-footage horror debut

The first official trailer for Shelby Oaks, the debut feature from YouTuber-turned-filmmaker Chris Stuckmann, has been released ahead of its theatrical premiere this October. The horror film, backed by Neon, is generating interest as the most crowd-funded horror project in Kickstarter history.

Shelby Oaks stars Camille Sullivan as Mia, a woman searching for her sister Riley (Sarah Durn), who vanished while investigating paranormal activity. The trailer introduces the film’s central mystery, revealing found footage elements and a disturbing VHS tape that propels Mia into the titular town of Shelby Oaks. There, she begins to uncover dark secrets tied to their shared past and a potentially real childhood demon.

The film’s visual style leans on handheld camera work, faux-documentary framing, and traditional found footage techniques, drawing comparisons to earlier genre entries like The Blair Witch Project and The Ring. Stuckmann, best known for his YouTube film reviews, has cited those influences in shaping the tone and pacing of his first feature.

Neon has scheduled Shelby Oaks for a theatrical release on October 3, positioning it as part of the studio’s Halloween slate. Earlier this year, the production underwent additional filming in Ohio, reportedly costing around $1 million, to increase the level of horror and intensity. These reshoots added more blood and gore to the final cut, aligning it more closely with audience expectations.

The film is produced by Aaron B. Koontz, Cameron Burns, and Ashleigh Snead, with executive producers including Mike Flanagan and Trevor Macy. The supporting cast features Brendan Sexton III, Keith David, and Michael Beach. Music is composed by The Newton Brothers.

Shelby Oaks also incorporates elements from the “Paranormal Paranoids” online video series, which served as inspiration for the film’s story and promotional campaign. With over two million YouTube subscribers, Stuckmann has kept fans updated on the project’s development since its crowdfunding success.