Cast
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Christopher Denham
as Jack Zeller
Nadja Bobyleva
as Claire Zeller
Catherine Curtin
as Det. Dawson
Chase Williamson
as Det. Ford
Noah Segan
as Walt
Gretchen Lodge
as Shannon
Andrew Sensenig
as Charlie Hibbert
Jeremy King
as Tad Buckley
Dane Rhodes
as Camera Store Manager
David Jensen
as Bernard
Charlie Talbert
as Frank
Carol Sutton
as Dr. Vogel
Lance E. Nichols
as Lt. Vincent
Hawn Tran
as Camera Store Employee
B.J. Grogan
as Boone
Crew
Director
- Aaron B. Koontz
Writer
- Aaron B. Koontz
- Cameron Burns
Producer
- Aaron B. Koontz
- Amir Zbeda
- Andrew van den Houten
Reviews
Gimly
Maybe a PTSD tale hits too close to home for me to fully lose myself within, or maybe _Camera Obscura_ is just straight up disappointing. Personally I lean toward the latter explanation.
_Final rating:★½: - Boring/disappointing. Avoid where possible._
Aug 2, 2017
Thematic Analysis
This Thriller/Horror film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Camera Obscura presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Aaron B. Koontz brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2017, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Camera Obscura took approximately 6 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 95 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 131 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 5 months to complete.
- The film contains approximately 1670 individual shots.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 5 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 2017, when this film is released:
- Climate change awareness was becoming a central global concern.
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Camera Obscura shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike In My Father's Den, which focuses more on action than character development, Camera Obscura subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like The Mothman Prophecies and Harsh Times explore similar territory, Camera Obscura stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: June 9, 2017
- Runtime: 1h 35m
