Horror in the High Desert 3: Firewatch(2024)(Review)

About a month ago I did a double-review on the first 2 films in the indie found-footage series ‘Horror in the High Desert’. At the time, the 3rd one was just released onto VOD networks, and I was very curious to check it out and complete the trilogy.

‘Firewatch’ takes place after the events of the first two, and like the 2nd one, it involves a completely new person. This time around, Oscar Mendoza has been thoroughly following the chilling events and reports of the victims of the other films. He is so interested that he wants to investigate the areas himself where these people went missing. Using the cover of wildfires in a neighboring area as a distraction to trespass onto property, he goes on a quest to follow the tracks of those before him. Once again, the mystery spirals into something bigger than we imagined.

As far as the pros go: this film is rather interesting. It has some compelling developments, creepy settings, and a main character you genuinely like. However, this movie falls very short in the other departments. Nothing feels accomplished by the end of it, and the biggest sin is the finale… whereas the other films had slow buildups that led to a very creepy final 20 or so minutes, the finale of this one is such a disappointment. When the final shot begins, it is creepy and unnerving, but the reveal of what is going on is so lackluster and such a wasted opportunity that it ultimately ruins the experience of the film as a whole. The idea could have been very effective, but the way it’s done is so minimal and boring that it doesn’t work.

This series was a rather good entry in the no-budget found footage genre, but if they want to continue they’re going to have to do something spectacular, because this entry sort of sullied the reputation they had rightfully earned thus far.

2/5
“Horror in the High Desert 3: Firewatch” is currently available to rent on Amazon Prime.

‘Til Next Time,
Mike Cleopatra