The film centers on outdoor enthusiast and survivalist Gary Hinge (Eric Mencis) whose disappearance in the Nevada high desert sparks a police investigation. The pseudo-documentary uses fictional talking head interviews, beautiful landscapes footage and the found footage narrative style popularized by “The Blair Witch Project” to elicit unbearable anticipation and tap into the instinctive fear of not being able to see in the dark.
The story
The film’s protagonist, Gary Hinge, was an outdoors enthusiast and survivalist who disappeared while hiking in the Nevada desert. He was well-known on social media, where he hosted videos about his hiking and survival adventures. He was also an amateur explorer and claimed to have found a mysterious cave in the desert. His YouTube videos prompted many subscribers to visit the site, but he soon disappeared. Campers later discovered his cleanly severed hand, but his body was never found.
The fake documentary/found footage film follows a reporter, a private investigator, and Gary’s sister (Tonya Williams-Ogden) as they search for clues about his disappearance. It is set in 2021, just one year after the Covid-19 pandemic sent most people home from work and school. The film’s pseudo-documentary style combines talking heads, drone footage, and fictional found footage from a YouTube vlog to tell Gary’s story.
It quickly becomes apparent that Gary was a reclusive individual who viewed solitude as a way to escape his daily life. He frequently ventured into the desert for days on survival quests and documented his expeditions on his YouTube channel. His fans looked to his vlogs as an escape from the stressful and chaotic world of everyday life.
When he was discovered missing, police searched his truck and discovered that several fingerprints did not match his. They also found a trail of barefoot footprints near the truck. Despite these clues, no evidence of Gary’s whereabouts was ever found.
As a result, many people began to explore the desert in search of the lost explorer. The film ends with a black title card that tells viewers one of these groups was on track to reveal their findings in 2022. Despite the film’s unsatisfactory conclusion, the movie still manages to be eerily effective by using the found footage genre to evoke feelings of suspense and horror. The film also uses a plethora of visual effects to enhance the tension, including slow-motion shots and ominous music. This creates a sense of foreboding throughout the movie and makes the audience feel like they are watching something real.
The cast
Gary Hinge was an outdoor enthusiast who disappeared while on a hike in the desert. His disappearance prompted an investigation by police, journalists and family members. His disappearance was also a catalyst for conspiracy theories involving Area 51, satanic rituals and aliens. The film’s pseudo-documentary format uses talking heads, drone footage and fictional found footage to tell the story of Gary Hinge. The movie is about a man who has gone missing in the desert.
The film starts with a video interview of Gary Hinge by his sister Beverly and roommate Simon. The film then switches to his last hike and the footage from that night. The footage reveals that Gary had an encounter with a disfigured monster in the desert. It then shows the creature severing his arm.
The footage sparked an interest in Gary and people wanted to know what had happened to him. Gary’s followers, known as Scorpion Sam, started speculating about aliens and witches being to blame for his death. They also speculated that he had killed himself because he was depressed. Ultimately, his body was never found but his cleanly severed arm was discovered by campers.
Although the film does not allude to it, Gary’s disappearance is a clear allusion to the real-life disappearance of hiker Kenny Veach, who vanished in 2014. He was a YouTube content creator and outdoor enthusiast, like Gary Hinge. His disappearance sparked a series of conspiracy theories involving Area 51, satanic sacrifice and secret military information.
After searching for him, the police were unable to find any evidence that he had been murdered. They did not have any fingerprints that matched his and they were not able to locate his truck. They also did not have any clues about his location and were unable to search his home.
The film is a creepy and unnerving piece of horror fiction that is set in the desert of Nevada. Its pseudo-documentary style and use of real and fake interviews makes it a terrifying watch. The acting is top notch and the story is well-crafted.
The plot
A survivalist named Gary Hinge (Eric Mencis) disappears in the desert after filming a YouTube video about a mysterious cabin. He was a quiet man who liked to explore the wilderness and post videos of his discoveries on social media. His followers, who knew him as Scorpion Sam, were eager to find out what happened to him. They guessed that a cannibal could be to blame, but they also feared aliens, witches, and ghosts.
When Gary’s sister Beverly reports him missing, authorities begin a search for him. They try to narrow down the area by pinging his phone, but it has been turned off. They then discover that numerous fingerprints found on his truck do not match his, and they deem it a crime scene. They hire private investigator Bill Salerno to dig deeper.
The investigation is stifled by a lack of leads, but Gal Roberts finds something promising in one of Gary’s videos. In it, he claims to have felt a presence in a cave, but this claim is met with ridicule by his subscribers. He then mentions that the cave is shaped like an M, which piques the interest of the audience.
After this, a strange man appears in the video and begins slashing at him with a machete. He then shouts at Gary to run away, and the man starts stalking him in a game of cat and mouse. This is a brilliantly filmed sequence with shaky camera work, burnt and blurry infrared footage, and an excellent use of creepy background sounds. It culminates in a terrifying climax that sends shivers down the spine.
Horror in the High Desert is a fantastically made thriller that uses the found footage narrative technique to its advantage. Dutch Marich, who directed the bone-chilling REAPTOWN last year, has crafted a terrifying tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat until its shocking end. Although it is not the best found footage movie of all time, it is a solid thriller that is sure to scare you. It is a must-see for fans of the genre.
The ending
A vlogger named Gary Hinge vanished from the Nevada desert in 2017. He was an outdoorsy survival enthusiast who frequently hiked and documented his expeditions on YouTube. During one trip, he found an uncanny little cabin in the middle of nowhere that sparked his interest and curiosity. He decided to film it, but soon he felt a sense of horror creep over him. He fled the site, and when he didn’t come back, his family reported him missing.
Investigators searched for him and found his truck nearby with a set of barefoot footprints that did not match his. They then switched gears and began examining his social media. Private Investigator Bill uncovered that Gary had made an online connection with a person whom he met in a small community in Nevada. The man was an explorer who claimed to have discovered a cave that is shaped like the letter M. This was a huge red flag for Billy because he knew that Gary and this man were both into exploring.
Eventually, they found that Gary was being tracked by someone who is not human. The person is wearing a costume that makes them look more like a zombie or demon. They also hear a haunting voice in the background. The shaky camera footage is effective in creating an ominous atmosphere. The movie also uses eerie music and the smokey smell of the desert to create an ominous feeling.
The conclusion of the movie is a shocking and unexpected twist. The vlogger is seen being attacked by the deformed monstrous creature and his hand is cleanly severed. The deformed person also attacks a group of hikers that are camping near the area.
The ending of gary hinge is a great example of the way that indie horror movies can be effective in using fake talking head interviews and shaky cam footage to create a believable suspense. The film is a perfect blend of a psychological thriller and a horror movie that is based on a true story. It is a must-see for fans of these genres.
