What Happened to Dorothy Bell? (2024) Film Review [Fantastic Fest]

The audience meets Ozzie Gray at a turning point in her life, dealing with her past trauma through an upbringing with a grandmother, Dorothy Bell, who was violent towards her and scorned by the public for acts of arson that led to the death of others. However, Ozzie holds onto the fonder memories of her Grandmother and feels there is a hidden truth behind her sudden shift. Her quest for the truth takes her back to her hometown, where she investigates the library where her Grandmother once worked. As she starts to uncover the truth, Ozzie faces a sinister force dating back long before it attached itself to her family.

By introducing us to Ozzie, through childhood memories followed by a therapy session, What Happened to Dorthey Bell? presents itself as a character study of trauma first. This element can be hard to navigate, and when it comes to mental health, this is not always handled with the needed grace to both offer that sincerity and transition it into an engaging horror story. Thankfully, writer/director Danny Villanueva Jr. approaches this subject matter with the needed grace and understanding. The therapy sessions play a key role in the early half of the movie and feel authentic in the way trauma is discussed by both participants.

Still from the Found Footage Horror Movie What Happened to Dorothy Bell?

What Happened to Dorothy Bell? Explores the Weight of Trauma

The focus on mental health also shows that Asya Meadows, in her first lead role, was the perfect fit for What Happened to Dorothy Bell? Meadows handles the role with the required fragility to make her empathetic, one that we want to succeed and not succumb to the horrors that she faces. At the same time, there is a certain assuredness in her character and her desire to clear her Grandmother’s name by finding out what truly happened. She is the perfect protagonist for the story that Danny Villanueva Jr. wanted to tell, which also plays into feeling engaged in the horror elements. The rest of the supporting cast is competent in their roles, but with the time and focus on Meadow’s struggles, it is hard to say much beyond that they complement and never take one out of her story.

This exploration of trauma flows into its horror. Interjecting past memories and haunting Ozzie with the image of what is, possibly, her Grandmother’s spirit gives weight to every terrifying encounter. This investment helps as the scares themselves are rather typical of the found footage and screen-life approach to horror that Danny Villanueva Jr. utilizes. The lore behind the events and how they have weaved through time (leaving vague to avoid spoilers) also adds to this sensation of dealing with generational trauma manifested into a ghost story.

Ozzie shares a moment with her dad in What Happened to Dorothy Bell?

Mixed-Media Scares On Offer

Both found footage and screen-life have become not so much a saturated genre but one with a distinct fanbase willing to push aside shortcomings in embracing the approach. These few perceived weaknesses are where What Happened to Dorothy Bell? may suffer from wider recognition outside of the more dedicated found footage horror freaks (like myself). Still, the movie is not a [Rec] or a Host in the way that it will define the genre and breach that cap into mainstream notoriety.

This inconsistency is most apparent in how the movie utilizes mixed media to mixed effect. While the screen life portion, primarily through discussion with Ozzie and her therapist, offers up two of the best scares in the entire film, its execution is slightly rough. Yes, here you have someone watching a YouTube video that lacks the authenticity of the actual paranormal channels, and the programs used are both oddly foreign and basic in their representation. It does take one out of it, but not all productions have the money to show and pay the fees to show them using social media. Comparatively, the found footage/POV horror and video diaries are more accessible. Still, the contrast between rougher camera work to obscure images and build suspense transitioning to high-def can be slightly unappealing. However, the sound design across the board is exceptional for the genre; you love to hear all the static pops and voices in the distance with terrifying clarity.

The above critiques are from trying to step outside the found footage fandom and be more critical. For fans of this specific genre, Danny Villanueva Jr. has constructed a sincere and intelligent story of the supernatural that will resonate with many. Moreover, minor nitpicks with its execution are still on the acceptable end of what the found footage faithful will accept with production; most importantly, the scares are certainly there. For myself, it was one the the best found footage movies I had the pleasure of checking out in some time, but those not as keen on the genre may find it scoring slightly lower for them.