Three years ago, outdoors and survival enthusiast Gary Hinge disappeared in the Nevada desert. His disappearance sparked an investigation that has since led to some surprising revelations. The first clue was the truck, which had numerous fingerprints that did not match Gary’s and barefoot footprints that did not match any database.
Horror In The High Desert
Horror in the High Desert is a found footage film about a hiker who vanishes in the Nevada desert. It was written, directed, and produced by Dutch Marich in 2021. It was released during the COVID-19 pandemic, but unlike most other films of this genre, it never features two people on screen at the same time. Its pseudo-documentary style gives it a unique look that helps it stand out among other found footage films. The film begins with the police “missing person” report of Gary Hinge, a recreational hiker who disappeared in the Nevada desert. He had been hiking in the area for a few days, and when he didn’t return home, his housemate alerted the authorities. He was last seen leaving his home to go hiking in a remote area near New Ruth, Nevada.
While on his expedition, Gary filmed his journey and reported that he felt like he was being watched. He also stated that he saw a dilapidated-looking cabin with smoke coming out of the chimney. He decided to camp away from the site because he was feeling unsafe. However, he still took his camera with him. During his next day’s excursion, Gary again filmed his trip. This time, he noticed a trail of barefoot footprints that led to the same cabin that he had stayed in on his previous excursion. He approached the cabin cautiously, but he soon detected a human silhouette moving towards him. He tried to move away, but the figure caught up with him. Gary then screamed and the camera stopped recording.
After that, he began to experience strange things and felt as if someone was stalking him. He contacted his friends and told them that something was going on, but they did not believe him. Eventually, Gary was murdered in the desert by what appeared to be a supernatural being. The murder was not well-publicized and many people were confused about what happened to him. Some even believed that aliens or witches were to blame for the attack. However, the truth was much more terrifying.
The Ending Explained
Gary Hinge was a hiker and survivalist who had created a popular online blog where he documented his adventures in the Nevada high desert. His blog gained him a large following, but Gary was also a victim of online bullying. The bullies pressured him into investigating a dangerous place in the high desert, and Gary ended up disappearing. The film begins with interviews with Gary’s sister and his roommate, who are concerned that Gary has gone missing. They soon discover that Gary has not been seen in a few days and they are unable to find any trace of him. Eventually, the police become involved, and Gary’s truck is found with his severed hand inside of it, clutching a camera.
Despite the fact that Gary was a skilled hiker and survivalist, he was not immune to danger. The movie suggests that a supernatural presence was responsible for his disappearance. Gary may have been attacked by a ghost who believed that he was intruding on sacred ground. Alternatively, Gary could have been murdered by a human who saw him as a threat to his isolationist lifestyle. In a series of videos recorded before his disappearance, Gary describes the eerie feeling that he was being watched. He then goes on to describe a mysterious cabin in the desert, and states that it is the location of a secret. Gary then mentions that he can smell smoke and hears chanting. Afterwards, the footage ends with a frightened Gary stating that he is going to get out of there.
Horror in the High Desert is a frightening thriller that makes audiences question what is lurking in the most desolate corners of the world. The pseudo-documentary format adds to the film’s terrifying realism, and the story is sure to leave audiences haunted by what they have just witnessed. The film is a must-see for anyone who loves hiking and survival horror movies.
The Beginning Explained
Gary Hinge is a hiker and survivalist who has a large following on his internet blog. His followers are fascinated by his unique interests and quirks. He often speaks about the wonders of nature and how he feels as though he can connect with the world more fully through these experiences. Unfortunately, Gary lives in a homophobic community and feels like he is a social pariah through no fault of his own. His internet blog offers him an escape and a sense of belonging that he doesn’t feel in his everyday life.
During one of his trips into the desert, Gary discovers an unsettling cabin in the middle of nowhere and decides to tell his audience about it on his internet blog. Immediately, he receives criticism from the audience that doubts his story and demands more evidence. This drives him to return to the desert, this time armed with a camera and a sense of purpose to prove his point. While he is in the desert, he begins to see an indistinguishable silhouette moving towards him. He is frightened, but manages to record it with his camera as he tries to stay as quiet as possible. As he moves closer to the mysterious cabin, he is attacked by a disfigured monstrous stranger who severly cuts off his hand.
As this happens, Gary’s sister and his roommate begin to suspect something is wrong. When he doesn’t return from his trip, they report him missing and the police launch an investigation. The film then reveals that Gary’s backpack was found with disturbing evidence inside. The police also find that he drove his truck away from the original trail location so that he couldn’t be found.
This faux documentary/found footage horror flick is incredibly effective at building up a sense of foreboding mystery before delving into grotesque horror. The use of burnt and blurry infrared footage, long stretches of intimidating emptiness and eerie background noises all contribute to the overall chilling tone of the film. Its foreboding premise and slow build up culminate in a climax that will surely make viewers jump.
Overall
Gary is a friendly outdoorsy survival enthusiast who often ventures into the desert on solo hiking expeditions. During one of these excursions, he comes across an uncanny little cabin in the middle of nowhere that leaves him horror-stricken. He decides to share his experience with his large audience of online followers, but this proves to be a mistake. His claim is met with a barrage of hostile comments and demands for further proof, forcing him to go back out into the desert in search of the cabin.
While Marich has not indicated that the film was inspired by the 2014 disappearance of YouTuber Kenny Veach, the parallels are uncanny and too striking to be a coincidence. Veach, who was also a hiking content creator, was pressured by his devoted fanbase to revisit a mysterious cave in Nevada that he claimed contained information on Area 51 and military secrets. Despite the fact that Veach disappeared without any foul play or supernatural encounters, his family and fans have continued to speculate about what could have been hidden in the cave.
Conclusion
Tamika Young is the vice president of global communications at Hinge, a dating app owned by Match Group. She has previously worked in marketing communications at Netflix and Spotify, where she led corporate, brand, consumer, trust, and safety strategies. She is passionate about diversity and social impact and has led efforts to amplify underrepresented communities.
