'Shelby Oaks' Got a New Budget, New Cut — But Will It Be a New Film?
More blood, more edits, more questions than clear answers.
Following the rise of YouTubers turning to filmmaking has become a small fascination of mine. The Talk to Me team (RackaRacka) set the bar impressively high — sharp, scary, and totally cinematic. So I was genuinely curious to see how Chris Stuckmann’s Shelby Oaks would land.
The project began strong — a crowdfunded found-footage horror backed by Mike Flanagan. But its festival debut drew mixed reviews.
Neon later stepped in, offering support and asking the right question: "Would you have done more if you could?" Apparently, they could — and did. According to Stuckmann, going back in with that kind of freedom was "unprecedented" for an indie filmmaker.
The team returned for reshoots. The budget grew, a new editor joined, and even Derek Mears came on board. The new version is said to be bloodier, sharper, and closer to what they originally imagined.
And now, it finally has a trailer. It hints at mood and mystery — but whether the changes go deeper than that remains to be seen.
Over on Reddit, reactions to the Shelby Oaks trailer have been cautiously hopeful — and sometimes oddly poetic.
"I'm rooting for this man," writes The_Crownless_King. "His older reviews were honestly some of the best on YouTube, and he's definitely passionate about film."
"This trailer made me feel strange. Like I'm getting stuckmannized or something." summed up Akashically.
"Hopefully Chris Stuckmann can pull a RackaRacka and become one of horror's rising directors with this." added RamaAnthony.
The new release date is set for October 3. After a long wait and a full rework, Shelby Oaks is ready to face the audience again. Whether it lands — or still feels like a work-in-progress — is something I’m genuinely curious to see.
