Confronting family trauma has long been a common theme in horror films. Whether it’s about becoming like our parents or dealing with a generational curse, it’s a topic many filmmakers have shown.
However, this doesn’t mean new movies can’t bring fresh ideas to these familiar themes.
As the saying goes, we’ve been telling the same few stories since Shakespeare’s time, but in the hands of the right filmmaker, these stories can still feel new and exciting.
This is exactly what happens with Danny Villanueva Jr.’s What Happened to Dorothy Bell.
The film, which premiered at this year’s Fantastic Fest, follows Ozzie Gray (played by Asya Meadows) as she returns to her hometown to face difficult truths about her past, particularly the death of her grandmother.
Ozzie feels a deep connection to her grandmother’s death, which happened under tragic circumstances.
The movie is presented as found footage, mostly through Ozzie’s video diaries, where she tries to process her trauma. Her family has also become part of an urban legend about the “Witch Librarian of Spellbound.”
This ghostly figure is said to be the spirit of Ozzie’s grandmother, who once worked at the local library. After a breakdown, she took her own life, leaving Ozzie with both physical and emotional scars.
The movie takes viewers through Ozzie’s journey of grief. She convinces a janitor to let her spend time in the library after hours and attends therapy during the day. The film mostly focuses on Meadows, with other actors playing minor roles.
Despite being relatively new to acting, Meadows carries the entire film on her shoulders.
Her performance truly shines when she begins to suspect that there may be some truth behind the frightening stories about her grandmother.
As Ozzie digs deeper, the film takes on a more intense tone, and Meadows’ abilities as a horror actress become evident.
A Fresh Take on the Found Footage Format
The found footage style used in What Happened to Dorothy Bell might not be the most dynamic, but it is still effective. For someone with vision issues, the static black-and-white security footage might not seem like the best way to build tension.
Despite this, the film manages to find creative ways to use the format. One interesting choice is to include Ozzie’s online therapy sessions as part of the film.
The mix of found footage and urban legend is a smart move, as it allows the movie to pull from online sources like Google and YouTube, not just Ozzie’s video diaries.
Ozzie’s connection to the urban legend keeps the story moving forward, even when it could have slowed down.
Although the mental health aspect isn’t shown as deeply as it could have been, Ozzie’s personal involvement in the legend adds to the suspense.
Instead of just waiting for the next scare, the viewer becomes invested in finding closure for Ozzie. Without giving too much away, the scares that do happen are well-timed and effective, adding to the full creepiness of the story.
Making the Most of a Short Runtime
At just 80 minutes long, What Happened to Dorothy Bell could have used more time to fully develop its story.
The film picks up speed in the final ten minutes, and some parts feel underdeveloped. There are moments of silence that could have been filled with more content.
Still, for an indie film with a small budget, it’s a well-crafted story. Unlike other films at Fantastic Fest, What Happened to Dorothy Bell feels original, not just a mix of ideas borrowed from more famous movies.
While the film doesn’t nail everything perfectly, it’s clear that Villanueva Jr. has a strong vision for the story he wants to tell.
He doesn’t rely on the found footage style to cover up weaknesses in the plot. Instead, he uses it as a tool to show deeper themes like family, mental health, and legacy.
The format fits the story perfectly. Villanueva Jr. shows great promise as a filmmaker, with a clear and focused approach to his storytelling.
It’s not about fancy effects or digital tricks, but about telling a story that comes from a deep place in both the mind and the heart. This is what both Villanueva Jr. and Ozzie are doing — telling a story that refuses to be forgotten.
