The Cursed Tapes Review: Impressive Creature Feature!

The Cursed Tapes is perhaps one of the more complete and well-rounded films I’ve seen from the Crum brothers so far. Blending found-footage horror, demonic possession, and analog horror aesthetics, the film takes several familiar genre elements and combines them into a story that feels surprisingly cohesive. While it still embraces many of the hallmarks present throughout the Crum brothers’ horror catalog—practical creature effects, creepy imagery, and supernatural chaos—it also benefits from a stronger narrative structure and a more engaging central performance by Donny Boaz.

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The story follows Clint, who returns to his late father’s home to prepare it for sale after his passing. Shortly after, he discovers a collection of VHS tapes and a heavily secured basement hiding a terrifying secret. As he watches the recordings left behind by his father, the film gradually unfolds into an anthology of horrifying encounters involving a shape-shifting demonic entity. At the same time, a young boy named Sammy unknowingly comes into possession of an antique radio connected to the creature. As the demon begins communicating through the radio and manipulating him, Clint realizes he has inherited far more than a house, he has inherited a responsibility.

One of the biggest improvements I noticed compared to some of the other Crum brothers films I’ve watched is the screenplay structure. The pacing feels much smoother here. The movie introduces its setup, establishes Clint’s situation, gradually unveils the mystery surrounding the tapes, and then expands the mythology of the demon in a way that feels natural. The transitions between discovering the tapes, learning about the creature, and following Sammy’s storyline are handled well, allowing the film to maintain momentum.

A big reason why the film works as well as it does is Donny Boaz’s performance as Clint. Having a strong lead actor makes a noticeable difference in a horror film, especially one that relies heavily on reactions, emotional investment, and audience empathy. Boaz brings enough charm and credibility to the role that you remain invested in his journey. Whether he’s confused, frightened, or trying to piece together what his father was hiding, the emotions come across naturally and help ground the more supernatural aspects of the story.

I also liked Cole Crum’s performance as Sammy. His character’s vulnerability becomes an important part of the story, and he does a good job selling both the fear that make him susceptible to the demon’s influence.

Another area where the movie excels is in the creature work and overall horror design. Unlike some supernatural films where evil exists purely as an abstract force, The Cursed Tapes gives its demon a history, a purpose, and a presence within the story. I enjoyed learning more about the entity through the tapes, and the idea of it communicating through the vintage radio adds a creepy layer to the film.

Visually, the creature effects, prosthetics, makeup work, and set design surrounding the demon’s prison are all very effective. This continues to be one of the Crum brothers’ greatest strengths. Their SFX work consistently elevates their films, and that remains true here.

Where the film didn’t fully work for me was in the execution of some of its horror moments. The scares themselves are present, but the impact doesn’t always land as strongly as it could. A large part of that comes down to the sound design and editing choices during certain attack sequences. Horror often relies heavily on sound dynamics, audio placement, and sudden shifts in volume to create tension and release.

Here, some of the chase scenes and creature encounters felt slightly muted. The audio occasionally comes across softer or more compressed than expected, reducing the force behind certain scares. Similarly, some of the rapid-cut editing during attack scenes makes it difficult for the horror imagery to fully register before the film moves on to the next shot. The intention is clearly to create chaos and panic, but in a few places it slightly undercuts the effectiveness of the scares.

Overall, The Cursed Tapes is a solid step forward and one of the stronger entries I’ve seen from the Crum brothers. The improved screenplay structure, engaging lead performance from Donny Boaz, interesting demon mythology, and consistently strong practical effects work make it an entertaining supernatural horror film.

While some of the editing and sound design choices lessen the impact of certain scares, the film succeeds through its atmosphere, creature design, and storytelling, delivering a horror experience that remains engaging from beginning to end. You can now check all the streaming/rental links for ‘The Cursed Tapes (2025)’ on the MGI Films’ website or check out MGI Films Linktree.

‘The Cursed Tapes’ Rating – 3.75/5