In Our Blood (2025) is one of the most anticipated psychological horror films of the year, combining emotional storytelling with the raw intensity of the found-footage format. Directed by Pedro Kos in his narrative feature debut, the film explores grief, family trauma, and the haunting power of truth all through the lens of a documentary gone horribly wrong.
The Story Begins: A Daughter’s Search for Connection
The story follows Emily Wyland, played with stunning realism by Brittany O’Grady, a young filmmaker determined to reconnect with her estranged mother after years of silence. Emily’s idea is simple she wants to document the emotional reunion as part of a deeply personal film project. To help her capture every moment, she brings along Danny (E.J. Bonilla), a trusted cinematographer and friend.
Their journey begins with hope and hesitation. Emily’s mother, once a loving presence, had fallen into addiction and disappeared from her life. The camera becomes Emily’s shield a way to confront her pain without having to face it directly. But as soon as she arrives in her mother’s small, isolated hometown, something feels wrong.
When Reality Starts to Fracture
What starts as a documentary quickly turns into a descent into paranoia. Emily’s mother vanishes again only this time, the reasons are far more mysterious. Locals whisper about strange events, cryptic symbols appear in her mother’s home, and the footage begins to reveal things Emily doesn’t remember filming.
As Emily and Danny dig deeper, their camera captures eerie, almost supernatural occurrences that defy explanation. The boundary between the filmmaker and the subject, the past and the present, begins to blur. What’s real and what’s imagined becomes terrifyingly uncertain.
A Story About Family, Memory, and the Monsters Within
Unlike most found-footage horror films, In Our Blood isn’t just about jump scares or hidden creatures it’s about emotional truth. The horror comes from what’s buried in Emily’s memory and the pain she’s been too afraid to face. The film uses its handheld style not only to immerse viewers in tension but also to mirror the fragmented way trauma lives inside us.
Director Pedro Kos, known for his award-winning documentaries, brings authenticity to every frame. His documentary background adds realism to the storytelling, making the fear feel intimate and personal. Each frame feels like a confession, each scream like a memory breaking through.
Why In Our Blood Stands Out
Releasing in theaters on October 24, 2025, In Our Blood is already being praised for its gripping narrative and powerful performances. It’s a must-watch for fans of emotionally charged horror like The Blair Witch Project, Lake Mungo, or Hereditary.
At its core, In Our Blood asks a chilling question-how much of the past do we carry within us, and what happens when it refuses to stay buried?
In Our Blood (2025) Review: A Haunting Blend of Emotion, Mystery, and Found Footage Horror
In Our Blood (2025) isn’t your typical horror movie it’s a raw, unsettling, and emotionally charged exploration of trauma, memory, and the ghosts that live within us. Directed by Pedro Kos, known for his powerful documentaries, this film marks his first leap into narrative storytelling. And what a leap it is.
A Documentary That Turns into a Nightmare
At first glance, In Our Blood looks like a documentary a young filmmaker named Emily Wyland (played by Brittany O’Grady) sets out to reconnect with her estranged mother after years of silence. She brings along Danny (E.J. Bonilla), her trusted cinematographer, to document the reunion. What begins as an emotional family story soon spirals into a terrifying mystery when Emily’s mother suddenly disappears.
The movie cleverly uses the found-footage format to blur the line between reality and fiction. The shaky camera work, offbeat framing, and unedited feel make the audience part of the investigation and that’s where the film’s true horror lies.
Emotional Depth Beneath the Fear
Unlike many found-footage horrors that rely on cheap thrills, In Our Blood digs deep into emotional storytelling. The horror doesn’t come from monsters or ghosts alone, but from the pain of unresolved family wounds. Kos uses the camera as a metaphor for memory what it captures, what it misses, and what it refuses to forget.
Brittany O’Grady delivers an incredibly grounded performance as Emily. Her vulnerability makes every scene feel painfully real, and as the story unravels, so does her grip on reality. E.J. Bonilla provides balance, grounding the chaos with warmth and humanity. Together, they create an intense emotional connection that drives the story forward.
The Direction and Atmosphere
Pedro Kos’s direction feels both intimate and unsettling. His documentary background pays off, giving the film a natural realism that amplifies the fear. The rural New Mexico setting adds a layer of isolation and dread every shadow feels alive, every silence deafening.
The film’s pacing is deliberate, allowing tension to build slowly until it’s almost unbearable. By the time the final act hits, In Our Blood becomes a psychological storm raw, unpredictable, and deeply affecting.
Final Verdict
In Our Blood is not just a horror film; it’s a study of how grief and guilt can haunt us long after the people we love are gone. It’s a movie that stays with you, lingering in your thoughts long after the credits roll.
Why You Should Watch It
If you loved films like Lake Mungo, The Blair Witch Project, or Hereditary, In Our Blood* offers the same eerie realism but with a more emotional punch. It’s haunting, human, and unforgettable.
Brittany O’Grady Shines in In Our Blood (2025) – A Riveting Performance That Redefines Found-Footage Horror
When it comes to performances that linger long after the credits roll, Brittany O’Grady’s portrayal of Emily Wyland in In Our Blood (2025) stands out as one of the most emotionally raw and haunting of the year. Known for her work in Little Voice and Star, O’Grady steps into darker territory here and completely owns it.
A Role That Demands Everything
Emily Wyland is a young documentary filmmaker haunted by her fractured past. Determined to reconnect with her estranged mother after years apart, she decides to capture their reunion on film. What begins as a personal project soon turns into a terrifying descent into family secrets, trauma, and supernatural mystery.
For O’Grady, the role of Emily is not just about fear it’s about vulnerability. She balances emotional fragility with fierce determination, portraying a woman who is both broken and brave. Her ability to shift from quiet introspection to sheer panic feels frighteningly authentic, making viewers believe every tear, scream, and trembling breath.
A Performance Rooted in Real Emotion
What sets Brittany O’Grady apart in In Our Blood is her emotional honesty. She doesn’t act like she’s in a horror movie she acts like someone genuinely documenting her own breakdown. Her performance feels lived-in, deeply human, and refreshingly unscripted.
Throughout the film, O’Grady carries the emotional weight of nearly every scene. Her chemistry with co-star E.J. Bonilla (who plays Danny, her cinematographer and confidant) adds layers of warmth and realism. Their dynamic keeps the story grounded even as the horror escalates.
As the mystery deepens and Emily’s grip on reality starts to slip, O’Grady transforms from a determined filmmaker into a terrified daughter confronting both her past and something far more sinister. It’s a demanding role one that requires emotional transparency, stamina, and courage and she delivers with stunning precision.
Critical Praise and Breakout Recognition
Early reviews from film festivals like Fantasia and Glasgow FrightFest have highlighted O’Grady’s performance as the “emotional heartbeat” of the movie. Critics have praised her ability to blend authenticity with fear, calling her work “a masterclass in controlled chaos.”
Director Pedro Kos deserves credit for giving her the creative freedom to explore the character fully. Coming from a documentary background, he encouraged natural, spontaneous acting a style that perfectly complements O’Grady’s instinctive talent.
Final Thoughts
Brittany O’Grady’s work in In Our Blood is more than just a performance it’s a revelation. She proves that horror can be deeply human and emotionally intelligent when the actor at its center believes in the story. Her portrayal of Emily Wyland captures the pain of loss, the fear of truth, and the courage it takes to face what lies within us.