Hunting Matthew Nichols

Hunting Matthew Nichols is a 2024 Canadian horror film written, directed, and starring Markian Tarasiuk in his directorial debut. It has elements of a "found footage" mockumentary in which filmmakers explore a decades-long, unsolved disappearance.

Plot

Twenty-three years after her brother mysteriously disappeared, a documentary filmmaker sets out to solve his missing case.

Cast

Markian Tarasiuk as himself
Miranda MacDougall
Ryan Alexander McDonald as himself

Production

Development

Tarasiuk was inspired by true crime documentaries on Netflix, "as a satire to some degree," and myths around the world involving "forest creatures". The film was inspired by The Blair Witch Project and The Ring.

Filming

The film was made over several weeks in December on Vancouver Island to capture a gray, rainy, dark tone and sense of dread.

Release

The film premiered at the 2024 Newport Beach Film Festival, and also screened in the Borsos Competition at the 2024 Whistler Film Festival, as well as Nightmares Film Fest, FilmQuest and Blood in the Snow Canadian Film Festival. UK sales outfit Amp International acquired worldwide sales rights in October 2024.
The marketing included a website with “case-file evidence” and other extras adding to the central story.