Chris Stuckmann’s Shelby Oaks Set for Halloween Cinema Release in the UK and Ireland
Altitude has confirmed that Chris Stuckmann’s long-awaited debut feature Shelby Oaks will receive a Halloween release in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on 31 October 2025. With its haunting premise, record-breaking production story, and powerful emotional core, the film is shaping up to be one of the year’s most talked-about horror releases.
A Chilling Story of Family, Grief, and the Supernatural
Shelby Oaks follows Mia, portrayed by Camille Sullivan, who has spent twelve years consumed by the disappearance of her sister. Her desperate search takes a dangerous turn when she begins to suspect that a demon from their childhood — a figure they once believed to be imaginary — may be all too real. The film also stars Brendan Sexton III and Michael Beach, bringing weight and gravitas to the unsettling tale.
Stuckmann has noted that the film’s emotional roots are inspired by his own personal history. He has spoken candidly about being forced to sever ties with a sibling during childhood due to religious shunning, a trauma that he has reshaped into the film’s central theme of fractured family bonds and unresolved grief. The result is a story that blends supernatural terror with deeply personal human pain.
From YouTube Critic to Filmmaker
Chris Stuckmann is best known to millions as a prominent YouTube film critic, where he built a reputation for insightful reviews and video essays over nearly a decade. His transition into filmmaking has been followed closely by fans and the wider industry alike. Shelby Oaks represents his first full-length feature, and it has already been hailed as a remarkable leap from online critic to serious filmmaker.
Record-Breaking Kickstarter Success
The journey to making Shelby Oaks is just as remarkable as the film itself. When traditional funding options fell through, Stuckmann turned to Kickstarter in 2021. The campaign exploded beyond expectations, ultimately raising nearly $1.4 million from over 4,500 backers — making it the most successful horror project in the platform’s history.
This grassroots success not only proved the appetite for Stuckmann’s vision but also drew the attention of major names in horror. Among them was filmmaker Mike Flanagan, creator of The Haunting of Hill House and Doctor Sleep, who joined the project as an executive producer, lending additional credibility and industry support.
Style, Influences, and Early Praise
Stuckmann has cited Lake Mungo, The Sixth Sense, and Signs as major influences on Shelby Oaks. Much like those films, Shelby Oaks aims for more than cheap scares. Instead, it weaves an atmosphere of dread through emotional storytelling, blending found footage techniques with the tone of true crime documentaries.
Early audiences at festival screenings have praised the film’s refusal to rely on formulaic horror. Rather than focusing solely on jump scares, the narrative is grounded in themes of grief, obsession, and the lengths we go to find closure. Critics have also highlighted the film’s hybrid format, which alternates between pseudo-documentary textures and more traditional cinematic storytelling to create a uniquely disquieting experience.
A Landmark Halloween Release
For horror fans, the timing could not be more perfect. With its 31 October release date, Shelby Oaks is poised to become a centerpiece of this year’s Halloween season. Altitude, who will distribute the film across the UK and Ireland, has emphasized its belief in the project’s ability to connect with audiences hungry for original horror with substance.
The release marks a defining moment for Chris Stuckmann’s career and a significant milestone for crowdfunded cinema. What began as a passion project backed by thousands of horror enthusiasts has now grown into a nationwide release supported by major distributors — an inspiring success story that underscores the power of community in shaping modern horror.
For fans who have been following its journey from Kickstarter campaign to big screen, Shelby Oaks is not only a new horror release but also a testament to perseverance, creativity, and the enduring pull of supernatural storytelling.
