FLATWOODS is a mixed real footage/found footage/mockumentary based on a real event that happened in the Flatwoods, West Virginia in 1952. A group of people reported seeing a creature with distinctly alien features subsequent to the sighting of an unidentified flying object in the same area.

The movie creates a fictional story around the daughter of one of the witnesses who decades later tries to get to the bottom of things via making a documentary. Naturally, she uncovers a deadly conspiracy.

The cinematic aspects of this film are extremely uneven. The special effects are not half bad, and some of the shots reveal a good eye for composition. But then, many of the dramatic scenes seem downright amateurish. The editing is choppy, which is exacerbated by the frequent test signal screen transitions. The story is trite and full of conspiracy cliches. It also ends rather abruptly, which is surprising given the short running time. Maybe the budget ran out.

On the content side, the film seems to be geared toward the crowd that has already bought into reptilian conspiracy theories, which appear to have their origin in the science fiction TV series V (1983).

I did not know about the Flatwoods incident and therefore consulted Wikipedia to attain a bit of a background. That is when I became aware that the film strawmans skeptical arguments. In an interview with one of the experts, he lists two skeptical arguments, that the witnesses were high on moonshine or on paint, and then (with the interviewer) giggles at the silliness of these suggestions which obviously just reflect desperate efforts at a massive cover-up. In contrast, the Wikipedia article mentions a documented meteor on that date in combination with the possibility of the sighting of a barn owl which, viewed from a certain angle with the brush underneath, might have given the appearance of a much larger alien figure.

Whatever it was, the movie would have been elevated by engaging with skeptical arguments more seriously. Because the conspiracy seems so far out, when it is finally revealed, it actually just reveals the wide gap between how seriously the movie takes itself and how seriously it can be taken by someone who is not already a believer in reptilians.

The only part of this movie worth watching is the "UFO in the woods" scene at the very beginning.

The alien invasion subgenre features extraterrestrial beings invading Earth. These stories typically depict the arrival of advanced alien civilizations to our planet, often with hostile intentions. The subgenre explores themes of humanity's response to a sudden and unprecedented threat, as well as the potential consequences of interacting with beings from other worlds.

Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith in Men in Black (1997)

The b-horror subgenre features modest production values, simple plots, and reliance on certain horror tropes and clichés. The stories are often low-budget, low-quality, and sometimes intentionally campy or cheesy. The "B" designation originally referred to the second feature in a double feature presentation, with the "A" film being the main attraction. Over time, "B-movies" became associated with low-budget and less prestigious productions.

The conspiracy thriller subgenre features complex plots involving secret schemes, hidden agendas, and intricate conspiracies. These stories combine elements of suspense, mystery, and intrigue to create narratives where characters uncover and attempt to expose hidden truths or sinister plots that are often orchestrated by powerful organizations or individuals.

The dark fantasy subgenre features elements of fantasy combined with darker and more macabre themes. These stories often involves a blend of supernatural elements, magical realms, and horror-inspired elements, creating a unique and often unsettling atmosphere, distinct from traditional high fantasy or light-hearted fairy tales.

Doug Jones and Ivana Baquero in Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

The supernatural fantasy subgenre features stories that blend fantastical elements with the supernatural, often involving interactions between the human world and realms inhabited by supernatural beings, spirits, or forces.

Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson in Ghostbusters (1984)

The supernatural horror subgenre features paranormal and supernatural elements as sources of fear and terror. In supernatural horror stories, the focus is on entities, forces, or occurrences that go beyond the natural world and challenge the laws of reality, including ghosts, demons, witches, curses, haunted houses, possession, and other phenomena that are unexplainable.

The fantasy genre features imaginative and often magical worlds, characters, and events. It explores realms beyond the boundaries of reality, featuring elements such as magic, mythical creatures, supernatural powers, and fantastical settings. These stories can take place in entirely fictional worlds or blend fantastical elements with real-world settings.

Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

The horror genre features stories that aim to elicit fear, suspense, and a sense of dread in its audience. Horror stories often explore themes related to the unknown, the supernatural, and the macabre, and they frequently evoke strong emotional reactions such as anxiety, terror, and unease.

The sci-fi genre, short for science fiction, features imaginative and futuristic concepts that are often rooted in scientific principles, technology, and possibilities. These stories delve into "what if" questions and can serve as a platform to address contemporary social, political, and ethical issues by projecting them onto future or alternate settings.

James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

The thriller genre features suspense, tension, and excitement. These stories are known for keeping audiences on the edge of their seats and delivering intense emotional experiences by revolving around high-stakes situations, dangerous conflicts, and the constant anticipation of unexpected events.

A documentary filmmaker uncovers an alien conspiracy in Flatwoods, West Virginia.

The Biggest Movies and TV Coming in September

"The Gentlemen" and "Slow Horses" return this fall, while the "Reacher" spin-off series "Neagley" makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

2026 Fall TV and Streaming Watch Guide

&quot;The Gentlemen&quot; and &quot;Slow Horses&quot; return this fall, while the &quot;Reacher&quot; spin-off series &quot;Neagley&quot; makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

The Flatwoods Monster: A Legacy of Fear (2018)

Jack Elam in Creature from Black Lake (1976)

Teri Polo and Eric Dane in The Ravine (2021)

Nicole Kidman in The Stepford Wives (2004)

Flatwoods

Photos31

Top Cast21

User reviews1

More like this

Related interests

Storyline

Top picks

Details

Box office

Tech specs

Contribute to this page

More to explore

Recently viewed