Man Finds Tape

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Man Finds Tape

2025

1h 24m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

After receiving a cryptic call, documentarian Lynn Page returns to her small Texas hometown to investigate haunting footage of events no one can remember taking place. But her brother Lucas' controversial past with a viral web series called 'Man Finds Tape' forces Lynn to question if he, or anyone in their town, can be trusted. And the arrival of a stranger with chaotic intentions forces Lynn to confront her family's involvement with the deadly monster preying on Larkin, TX.

Critics Consensus

Man Finds Tape is a smart, slow-burning directorial debut that delivers layered, imaginative horror with strong performances and compelling mysteries.

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Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (LAist)

Dec 12

It's pretty smart and sophisticated. It devolves, as so many horror movies do... [But] it is kind of a fun. A good idea that maybe needed stronger execution.

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Sergio Burstein

Los Angeles Times

Dec 11

Instead of using found footage as an excuse for a lack of financial and technical resources, Gandersman and Hall take pains to justify the existence of such shots, which are often inexplicable in the subgenre, while developing a decidedly unsettling plot.

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Dennis Harvey

Variety

Dec 5

Hall and Gandersman compel enough interest to pull viewers through, even if they may find the fadeout less than satisfying.

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Steve Morrissey

Radio Times

Mar 23

4/5

An ambitious, auspicious debut.

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Nathaniel Muir

AIPT

Feb 25

7.5/10

The film bounces seamlessly through the different genres. There is never a moment that feels out of place. This is especially important when the third act takes a twist. What could have been a jarring reveal is handled smoothly.

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Alyse Wax

Waxing Horrific

Jan 27

I had to watch the movie twice before I figured out that the tape found in the barn was the start of the "Man Finds Tape" thing. But it didn’t get any better.

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MB C

@MB.Cinema Apr 2

Man Finds Tape is a built around a mysterious tape that uncovers a forgotten childhood incident. It starts as a grounded, documentary-style mystery before shifting into a more surreal and unsettling experience. The film excels in slow-burn tension and its "found footage" realism. However, the tonal shift in the second half may feel jarring and less convincing. Its layered mystery and themes about truth and perception add depth. Overall, it’s an intriguing but uneven horror experiment that rewards patience.....

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Nick B

@clauski Mar 23

Found this grabbed my attention and built the story effectively and with tension. Worth a watch.

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Melissa L

@Agent99 Mar 6

It was an okay found footage movie, but I don't know how it won so many awards. I agree with another audience critic here...it was too disjointed.

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Andy B

@AndyB21 Jan 25

A found footage effort with a solid premise and creepy vibe, but muddled and disjointed execution. It's difficult to keep track of what's happening now and what's already occurred, and there are very few answers to any of the plot points, making it more of a frustrating chore than it should be.

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Randall C

@RMC15 Jan 19

One of the most forced rushed ridiculously thin plots i have ever had the displeasure of viewing. Student film actors over delivering emotions as if it’s their last chance to be on screen. There was humor towards the end as the characters masked such serious looks about something so lame. Clickbait was clever — guy combusting into flames in preview. Even that part of the film was yawn inspiring. The narration and tone was so serious as if they were reporting on child trafficking…not alien worms that come out of bad acting and bad makeup. I fast forwarded the last 20 minutes. Obviously the movie is propped on Producers credits (guys from Endless) but I have honest to God been more disturbed over expired food than this film in its entirety.

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g j

@RT02395222 Jan 16

Compares very poorly to Strange Harvest. Generally undercooked and under-budgeted with mediocre acting.

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Paul Gandersman

Director

Peter S. Hall

Director

Kelsey Pribilski

Lynn Page

William Magnuson

Lucas Page

John Gholson

Reverend Endicott Carr

Brian Villalobos

The Stranger

Man Finds Tape: Exclusive Clip

1:40

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Man Finds Tape: Exclusive Trailer 1

1:53

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Synopsis

After receiving a cryptic call, documentarian Lynn Page returns to her small Texas hometown to investigate haunting footage of events no one can remember taking place. But her brother Lucas' controversial past with a viral web series called 'Man Finds Tape' forces Lynn to question if he, or anyone in their town, can be trusted. And the arrival of a stranger with chaotic intentions forces Lynn to confront her family's involvement with the deadly monster preying on Larkin, TX.

Director: Paul Gandersman, Peter S. Hall
Producer: Justin Benson, Ashley Landavazo, David Lawson Jr., Aaron Moorhead
Screenwriter: Paul Gandersman, Peter S. Hall, Peter S. Hall, Paul Gandersman
Distributor: Magnet Releasing
Production Co: XYZ Films, Rustic Films
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 5, 2025, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.4K
Runtime: 1h 24m

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