Occult Rituals and Cold Case Mysteries Collide

Read Time:4 Minute, 57 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Strange Harvest: Occult Murder in the Inland Empire
–

Genre: Horror
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 34m
Director(s): Stuart Ortiz
Writer(s): Stuart Ortiz
Cast: Peter Zizzo, Terri Apple, Andy Lauer, Matthew Peschio, Janna Cardia, Thomas Wolfe Jr, Tim Shelburne, Christina Helene Bra, LA Williams
Where To Watch: shown at the 2024 Fantastic Fest

RAVING REVIEW: A film rarely catches me off guard like STRANGE HARVEST: OCCULT MURDER IN THE INLAND EMPIRE. With the true crime genre's growing popularity, it’s easy to fall into the rhythm of predictability. Yet, Stuart Ortiz’s latest venture pulls a clever trick, merging the allure of mysteries with the unsettling dread of cosmic horror. I questioned its authenticity for a while—unsure whether I was watching a carefully crafted documentary or something far darker. That, in itself, speaks to the film’s power.

The story centers on a chilling investigation in San Bernardino County, where detectives revisit a cold case linked to a dormant serial killer known as 'Mr. Shiny.' It feels all too real at points—Ortiz plays with the familiar conventions of true crime, complete with archival footage, police interviews, grainy CCTV clips, and incredibly well-done “reenactments.” But what sets this film apart is its willingness to push beyond the boundaries of the genre, weaving in elements of the occult and the unknown. STRANGE HARVEST explores a series of grotesque killings and challenges the audience to question where reality ends and something much more terrifying begins.

Ortiz uses every trick to blur the lines between fiction and reality. The visceral nature of the crimes lingers—ritualistic sacrifices, cold-blooded executions, and a series of unsettling patterns that hint at something ancient and evil lurking beneath the surface. The film’s sterile, almost detached presentation mirrors the cold reality of true crime, leaving viewers with disturbing images they can’t shake, much like the real tragedies that inspire such stories. As Ortiz drops these visuals on the audience, he allows them to interpret the horrors themselves, along with Detectives Joe Kirby (Peter Zizzo) and Alexis 'Lexi' Taylor (Terri Apple), who help guide our journey.

The strength of STRANGE HARVEST lies in its ability to pull you into the horrors of this investigation, where dead ends and endless paperwork become as haunting as the crimes themselves. Detectives Kirby and his partner, Taylor, are more than just cogs in a procedural machine. Zizzo brings an intense authenticity to Kirby, a man weighed down by trauma. At the same time, Apple’s portrayal of Taylor adds a fierce intensity that delves into the moral gray areas of justice. Together, their chemistry adds depth to an unsettling narrative, making the story not just about the killer but those who must wrestle with the aftermath.

STRANGE HARVEST uncovers something far more sinister in the Inland Empire. Ortiz uses sweeping aerial shots to underscore the desolation and isolation of the landscape, adding an atmospheric weight that recalls the thrillers of yesteryear. Each shot feels like a piece of a giant puzzle—one that we might not be ready to complete, like the characters themselves.

The killer, Leslie Sykes, taunts his pursuers with cryptic messages that hint at something beyond our understanding. Ortiz dabbles in the unknown and the cosmic, where the dread isn’t just in the acts of violence but in the knowledge that there are forces far beyond human comprehension. The ritualistic elements, the ancient symbol, and the eerie alignments all point to a narrative more significant than the one the detectives follow. Ortiz taps into the primal fear that the universe itself is indifferent to our existence—and worse that something out there is paying attention.

In this way, STRANGE HARVEST feels almost like a documentary in the guise of a mockumentary—it’s a commentary on our obsession with true crime. Ortiz reminds us that, despite all our modern technology and ability to document every moment of our lives, there are still dark corners of the world (and our minds) that remain unexplored. Why do we stay obsessed with piecing together the lives of killers? Ortiz plays on this tension, dragging the viewer into a world where the lines between victim, investigator, and observer blur, much like the footage he presents.

STRANGE HARVEST offers more than gruesome kills, inviting us to consider what truly terrifies us. Is it the killer we can’t catch, the crimes we can’t solve, or the possibility that forces are at play far beyond our control? With Ortiz’s sharp direction and the haunting performances from Zizzo and Apple, the film lingers long after the final credits, leaving you to piece together the puzzle, even if you're not sure you want to see the whole picture."

Please visit https://linktr.ee/overlyhonestr for more reviews.

You can follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. My social media accounts can also be found on most platforms by searching Overly Honest Reviews.

I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies.

DISCLAIMER:
At Overly Honest Movie Reviews, we value honesty and transparency. Occasionally, we receive free items for review, including DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, Vinyl, Books, etc. We assure you that these arrangements do not influence our reviews, as we are committed to providing unbiased and sincere evaluations. We aim to help you make informed entertainment choices, regardless of our relationship with distributors or producers.

Amazon Affiliate Links:
Additionally, this site contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may receive a commission. This affiliate arrangement does not affect our commitment to honest reviews and helps support our site. We appreciate your trust and support in navigating these links.