I am torn on the genre of found footage horror, and I am still grappling with that struggle as I write this review of It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This. Making its splash on the major film festival stage at TIFF 2024, this film is a unique beast that embraces the formula with open arms. Walking into the movie, I heard many good things about what to expect, and while I don’t agree with everything, the film manages to make me think, even now, a day after seeing it.
The premise is simple, if not ingenious: tell the story of making a horror film after buying a potentially haunted house and document everything that goes wrong. Directed by indie filmmakers Nick Toti and Rachel Kempf, the movie follows the real-life couple as they move into a creepy, rundown duplex in rural Missouri. As horror enthusiasts, they view the satanic graffiti and eerie objects scattered throughout the house as the perfect setting for their next project—documenting the haunting and performing a séance to summon spirits.
While the concept could have easily been derivative, the filmmakers manage to ground it in a strangely compelling way. What sets It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This apart from other found-footage films is its use of actual footage from Nick and Rachel’s lives, blurring the line between reality and fiction. This brilliant move lends authenticity to the movie, making the unfolding horrors feel disturbingly real. Seeing the characters’ authentic younger selves, engaging in activities like trying to communicate with the dead, adds believability—even as things quickly spiral out of control.
While not everything works, the film’s strength lies in its ability to create an unnerving atmosphere. The duplex is one of the strangest and most unsettling locations I’ve seen captured on film. It sets the tone perfectly, and combined with the eerie graffiti, satanic symbols, and haunted vibes, it keeps you on edge throughout the film’s runtime. As mysterious strangers gather on the front lawn and supernatural events slowly take over, you can’t help but feel a growing sense of dread.
That said, where It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This stumbles is in its pacing and narrative, along with the fact that the characters become detestable at times. The buildup to the more terrifying moments feels overly drawn out, and the payoff rarely lives up to the anticipation. While there are some genuinely creepy scenes, they’re interspersed with stretches of less engaging material. After decades of found-footage films, audiences are no longer as scared by bad audio, shaky shots, or off-screen antics.
Thankfully, the film doesn’t rely solely on these tropes and includes some welcome moments of levity, thanks to the camaraderie between Nick, Rachel, and their friend Christian. Their passion for ghost hunting and playful banter provides a refreshing balance to the scares, preventing the movie from becoming too oppressively dark.
That’s not to say the characters are particularly likeable. While they start off in a way that invites you into their lives, as the film progresses, both Nick and Rachel become increasingly insufferable. Their obsession with making the movie takes precedence over being decent human beings, leading them to become rude, obsessed, and infuriating, with every choice feeling like the worst possible option.
“For die-hard fans of found-footage horror, It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This is worth checking out at TIFF 2024.”
That said, they are believable in their roles, and the performances from the leads are solid. Nick and Rachel’s real-life relationship translates well on screen, with their interactions feeling natural. Their growing unease as the supernatural events escalate in It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This is palpable. While I didn’t like them, I believed them in the roles.
On the effects side, It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This makes the most of its low-budget, found-footage style. The grainy, handheld camera work adds to the overall sense of dread, and the filmmakers effectively use the house’s eerie decor to create a haunting atmosphere. The unsettling nature of the duplex is enhanced by the film’s low-budget look.
It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This is a valiant effort from Toti and Kempf, and it’s clear they have a passion for the horror genre. While the film doesn’t quite reach the heights of found-footage classics like The Blair Witch Project or Paranormal Activity, it still delivers some effective scares and an unsettling atmosphere. The filmmakers do a lot with a little, crafting a film that is engaging and at times unnerving, thanks in part to the look, style, and concept that make the most of what they have to offer.
For die-hard fans of found-footage horror, It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This is worth checking out at TIFF 2024. It offers a fresh twist on the genre by blending real-life footage with supernatural scares, and its indie spirit is commendable. However, for more casual horror fans, the film may not leave a lasting impression. While it could have pushed the genre further, what it does deliver is still worth watching, especially for genre enthusiasts.
Check out more of CGMagazine’s TIFF 2024 coverage here throughout the festival.
