Strange Harvest
Directed by Stuart OrtizDetectives are thrust into a chilling hunt for "Mr. Shiny"-a sadistic serial killer from the past whose return marks the beginning of a new wave of grotesque, otherworldly crimes tied to a dark cosmic force.
Strange Harvest Ratings & Reviews
- cultfilmlikerJanuary 12, 2026EVIL GHOST FROM PRINCESS MONONOKE: THE MOVIE Featureless Mr. Potato Head ass lookin mf “Goofy” and “terrifying” should never be this interchangeable Scared the living shit out of me and also had some hilariously bad (?) definitely unique production and casting choices! Two things can be true at once! Only half of this was technically “au naturale” bc I got too scared after night 1 and had to finish it with the doors and windows closed lol Loud but effective music and sound effects. lmao @ the dude working half a shift as a nurse Confused what his intention was with the fake diabetic hitching a ride considering he had the life history of all of his victims What a weak ending. Entire third act felt like a rough draft ‘exsanguination’ is a term that will stick with me Currently Ranked #154/193 in 2025 Ranked
- ShahinOctober 16, 2025Strange Harvest is a low‑budget indie mockumentary in the best way possible. It nails the feel of an authentic documentary, from the ominous voice‑overs and grainy police footage to the staged reenactments that seem real enough to make you forget it’s scripted. If you love the genre, you’re in for a treat.
- Timeless CinemaApril 9, 2026A fun blend of thriller and cosmic horror. As things get creepy and mysterious, keeping your intrigued through the end. One of the best, most approachable found footage films made.
- greddy91February 14, 2026Started off on a middle ride, but kinda veers back to the ground real fast and stays buried through the ending.
- jdhannOctober 4, 2025One of the better found footage films. Makes me scared to eat seafood.
- jackmeatJanuary 7, 2026My quick rating - 6.4/10. Strange Harvest is one of those flix that quietly dares you to believe it. Presented entirely in a mockumentary style, it opens not with a jump scare or a murder, but with someone calmly explaining a strange, possibly unsolvable puzzle. That framing choice might sound dry on paper, and I’ll admit it nearly put me off at first, but it didn’t take long before the film had me anxiously awaiting the next kill. The series begins on July 19th, 2010, with a welfare call to 911 that uncovers a chilling scene in the San Bernardino suburbs. A family of three was found bound, drained of blood, and deliberately arranged under a symbol painted on the ceiling using blood. Detectives Joe Kirby (Peter Zizzo) and Lexi Taylor (Terri Apple) immediately recognize the symbol as the calling card of a killer who vanished 15 years earlier. Naturally, that killer has a name that sounds unsettling even before you know what he does - Mr. Shiny. And it isn’t long before he’s back in business. What follows is a chilling combination of true crime procedural and horror. Victims appear in grotesque ritualistic circumstances - pickled in a swimming pool full of living leeches and hanging flayed in a public park. What's strange is that despite all this horrific gore on screen, there is very little actual horror content in this film. It is all in crime shots, recovered video footage, and still photographs that feel all too real. Some of these are bone-chilling moments that aren’t necessarily so due to over-the-top presentation, but with a matter-of-fact tone that speaks to a real documentary. Writer-director Stuart Ortiz deserves a lot of credit here. If you weren’t told this was fictional, it would be incredibly easy to mistake Strange Harvest for something ripped straight from the ID Channel or Netflix’s true crime library. The two lead detectives are especially effective, bringing exhausted determination and credibility that anchors the more cosmic elements of the story. The sunbleached suburbs of the Inland Empire setting add to the uneasy feel of being lifeless and oddly exposed. As this all unravels, it would appear that Mr. Shiny's murders might deal with something much more sinister: cosmic phenomena and forces beyond human explanation. The film never fully explains everything, and that works to its benefit. I couldn’t help but think of Se7en while watching, not because this reaches that level, but because even prompting that comparison feels like an achievement. Strange Harvest is a slow burn that would rather build up some sense of dread. It is not always an easy watch, especially if you have the patience to sit through some of the awkward early scenes, but once the mythology gets in your system, it will stick around after the credits roll. It might not be perfect, but it's well worth the watch for those into true crime documentaries with a dark twist.
- drosanDecember 30, 2025Dialogue seemed inauthentic/unnatural at times, but otherwise a pretty good documentary-style / found-footage style horror show. Grounded in reality with a sprinkling of cosmic demonology, if that is a thing.
- HakihikoDecember 26, 2025Simple, Entertaining, and Easy to Enjoy "Strange Harvest" is one of those films that doesn't try to be more than it needs to be, and that's exactly why it works. It's a straightforward, entertaining watch that keeps things moving and never overstays its welcome. The movie has a confident pace and a tone that's easy to settle into. It doesn't chase big twists or heavy themes, instead focusing on delivering a consistently engaging experience. The atmosphere is well handled, and the direction keeps the story flowing without unnecessary detours. Performances are solid and fit the film's intentions well, helping the characters feel believable without demanding too much emotional investment. Nothing here is groundbreaking, but everything is functional and enjoyable, which goes a long way. "Strange Harvest" may not leave a lasting impression or spark deep reflection, but it doesn't need to. It's fun, accessible, and entertaining from start to finish - the kind of movie that simply does its job well and earns its place as a solid, enjoyable watch.
- cat_packDecember 17, 2025This is cosmic horror done right! Enough info you get the jist of it but still enough unknowns to keep you wondering. It's all shot as a mockumentary and done well
- cjre41November 23, 2025Perfectly executed MOCKumentary!!!!
- VidNovember 7, 2025Quite original & never dull, but pretty forgettable.
- Scott ThomasOctober 25, 2025I’ve been a fan of horror my entire life, and sometimes I feel like I’ve seen it all. That’s why I’m so thrilled when a movie actually frightens me.
- andrewturner11September 18, 2025Surprisingly good... Went into it blind, as should you if you like found footage films.
- NiztradamusSeptember 16, 2025Very cool mockumentary about the hunt of a serial killer. The ending leaves many questions open for interpretation and could have been more satisfiying. Other than that I can't find too many faults here.
Strange Harvest Trivia
Strange Harvest was released on August 8, 2025.
Strange Harvest was directed by Stuart Ortiz.
Strange Harvest has a runtime of 1h 34m.
Strange Harvest was produced by Bruce Guido, Stuart Ortiz, Alex Yesilcimen.
Detectives are thrust into a chilling hunt for "Mr. Shiny"-a sadistic serial killer from the past whose return marks the beginning of a new wave of grotesque, otherworldly crimes tied to a dark cosmic force.
The key characters in Strange Harvest are Det. Joe Kirby (Peter Zizzo), Det. Alexis 'Lexi' Taylor (Terri Apple), Jared Kelly (Andrew Lauer).
Strange Harvest is rated R.
Strange Harvest is a Horror, Crime, Mystery film.
Strange Harvest has an audience rating of 6.3 out of 10.