Excellent!

Rating: 10/10 (8 October 1999)

Without a doubt the most interesting and frightening movie I've seen in a long time. The Blair Witch Project scares in a way that horror films haven't been able to since "Halloween": subtly. There's no outright, in-your-face terror and no discernible antagonist; what frightens you is whatever your mind conjures up - it's sad that so many people require the film makers to do that for them. There's a consistent sense of dread that saturates each scene, though it isn't always obvious, and watching the three kids slip irresistibly into madness is, at once, frustrating and mesmerizing. Pure emotion can be shattering to witness and The Blair Witch Project comes about as close as possible to capturing it. There is one particular scene in which an apology is recorded that is absolutely heartbreaking. It's that rawness and realism that make the days so captivating. Find me three cold, tired, wet, hungry and scared 20 year-olds who get along and don't swear like sailors and I'll give you a thousand dollars! At night dread manifests itself in the form of pitch darkness, obscure noises and what sounds like children's voices, and the fear is not about being startled out of your seat as much as it's about burying yourself in it and not breathing. The movie builds on this fear and dread at night and returns to the frustration of day, continuously escalating. Each day becomes more unbearable and each night becomes more frightening culminating in what is, truly, one of the most terrifying scenes I've ever watched. The final frames are absolutely haunting.
It's certainly not for everyone - what movie ever is? - but I can't recommend it enough.