👻 Shelby Oaks (2025) – Release Date, Cast, Story & Everything You Need to Know

"What’s left in Shelby Oaks is death and rot."

This October, the shadows return. Shelby Oaks, the long-awaited supernatural horror film from writer-director Chris Stuckmann and executive producer Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, Doctor Sleep), is ready to terrify audiences worldwide. After generating huge buzz on the festival circuit, this chilling mystery will finally arrive in U.S. theaters on October 24, 2025, distributed by Neon.

🕯️ The Story – A Missing Sister and a Haunted Town

Shelby Oaks isn’t just a horror film—it’s a psychological descent into obsession, grief, and the supernatural.

At its core is Mia Brennan (Camille Sullivan), a woman haunted by the disappearance of her younger sister Riley (Sarah Durn), a member of a paranormal investigation team known as The Paranormal Paranoids. When Riley vanishes without a trace in the eerie, decaying town of Shelby Oaks, Mia’s search uncovers something far darker than she ever imagined.

As Mia digs deeper into the town’s secrets, she finds herself caught in a web of found-footage recordings, cursed places, and supernatural entities that blur the line between the living and the dead.

One unsettling line lingers throughout the film:“Some doors should never be opened.”

🎬 From YouTube Lore to Big Screen Terror

The origins of Shelby Oaks are just as fascinating as its story. The film is a continuation of a viral online found-footage series about the Paranormal Paranoids, which gained a cult following for its unnerving realism. Chris Stuckmann, once a popular YouTube film critic, has now transformed that mythology into his feature directorial debut—a move that horror fans and critics are already calling bold and visionary.

Having premiered at the Fantasia International Film Festival (July 20, 2024), the movie drew praise for its atmosphere, haunting cinematography, and Sullivan’s commanding performance.

👤 Cast & Characters

The ensemble cast brings both emotional weight and unsettling intensity:

• Camille Sullivan as Mia Brennan – a desperate sister confronting the darkness.

• Sarah Durn as Riley Brennan – the missing investigator.

• Brendan Sexton III as Robert Brennan – Mia’s husband.

• Michael Beach as Detective Burke.

• Robin Bartlett as Norma – a cryptic townsperson.

• Keith David as Morton Jacobson – a prison warden with chilling knowledge.

Supporting cast includes Eric Francis Melaragni, Anthony Baldasare, Caisey Cole, and Derek Mears, adding to the layered horror ensemble.

🎥 Behind the Scenes

• Director / Writer: Chris Stuckmann

• Executive Producer: Mike Flanagan

• Producers: Aaron B. Koontz, Cameron Burns, Ashleigh Snead, Chris Stuckmann

• Cinematography: Andrew Scott Baird

• Music: James Burkholder & The Newton Brothers

Budgeted at a modest $1.4–$2.8 million, Shelby Oaks proves that atmosphere, story, and dread can outweigh flashy effects.

🗓️ Release Date & Where to Watch

• U.S. Theatrical Release: October 24, 2025

• Distributor: Neon

• Runtime: 102 minutes

Given Neon’s track record, fans can also expect a streaming release (likely early 2026) following its theatrical run.

🌑 Why Shelby Oaks is the Horror to Watch in 2025

Shelby Oaks stands out in a crowded horror landscape because it isn’t just about jump scares. It’s about atmosphere, myth-making, and psychological terror. With echoes of classics like The Blair Witch Project and the emotional weight of The Haunting of Hill House, this film merges personal trauma with supernatural dread.

The question that lingers long after the credits roll is:“Did Mia lose her sister to death… or something much worse?”

📝 Final Thoughts

With its festival acclaim, eerie mythology, and powerhouse cast, Shelby Oaks (2025) is set to become one of the most talked-about horror releases of the year. Chris Stuckmann’s debut looks to be a love letter to found-footage horror while pushing the genre into new emotional territory.

🕯️ Mark your calendars for October 24, 2025—because once you enter Shelby Oaks, you may never leave.