‘Shelby Oaks’ Turns YouTube Horror Into a Chilling Movie — And the Trailer Is Out Now
The new horror mystery Shelby Oaks is getting ready to scare audiences this October, and the official trailer has just dropped. The movie is the feature directing debut of YouTuber and film critic Chris Stuckmann, who also wrote the script. It’s produced by Aaron B. Koontz, Cameron Burns, and Ashleigh Snead, with Neon set to release it in the United States on October 3, 2025.
Who took Riley Brennan?
— NEON (@neonrated) August 4, 2025
Official trailer for SHELBY OAKS. A new horror from writer/director Chris Stuckmann and executive producer Mike Flanagan. In theaters 10.3. pic.twitter.com/plALnZ2mfE
The story follows Mia Brennan, played by Camille Sullivan, who has been searching for her sister Riley for over a decade. Back in the 2000s, Riley ran a YouTube channel called The Paranormal Paranoids with her friends, visiting haunted locations and filming their ghost-hunting adventures.
During one trip to the abandoned town of Shelby Oaks, Ohio, Riley’s three friends were found murdered. A disturbing tape hinted that Riley was either kidnapped or killed by an unknown man. Twelve years later, Mia discovers another tape that makes her believe something even darker is going on.
The film also stars Brendan Sexton III, Michael Beach, Robin Bartlett, Keith David, and Sarah Durn as Riley. Shooting took place in Ohio at eerie real-life locations like the Ohio State Reformatory and the abandoned Chippewa Lake Park. In March 2025, the cast and crew returned for reshoots to add more violence and gore, which doubled the budget.
Getting the movie made wasn’t easy. Stuckmann first announced the project in 2021, but production was delayed due to money issues and a possible strike by the IATSE trade union. He turned to Kickstarter for help, and horror fans rallied behind the project. According to Kickstarter, the campaign broke records for a horror film, raising $650,000 in just weeks and later crossing $1 million from over 11,000 backers.
Shelby Oaks had its world premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival in July 2024, followed by a screening at the FrightFest film festival in August. Reviews have been mostly positive. Rotten Tomatoes reports that 81% of critics liked it, praising its creepy atmosphere and Sullivan’s performance. Metacritic’s score is lower at 58 out of 100, suggesting some mixed opinions.
Now, with the trailer out, horror fans can finally get a peek at the tense mystery, creepy found footage moments, and unsettling locations that make Shelby Oaks stand out. Whether you remember the old viral Paranormal Paranoids videos or are just looking for a fresh horror experience, this one looks ready to send chills your way this fall.
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