Black Mountain Side (film)

Black Mountain Side is a 2014 Canadian independent science fiction horror film written and directed by Nick Szostakiwskyj in his directorial debut. The film revolves around a group of archaeologists working at a remote site in the Canadian wilderness who uncover a strange structure. As they investigate, they are plagued by a growing sense of unease and paranoia, culminating in a series of disturbing and unexplained events that challenge their sanity and threaten their lives.

The film is characterized by its slow-burn atmosphere, its exploration of isolation and psychological decay, and its ambiguity regarding the nature of the unsettling phenomena. It employs a minimalist aesthetic, relying heavily on sound design and unsettling visuals to create a sense of dread. The narrative unfolds gradually, leaving many questions unanswered and encouraging viewers to interpret the events and their underlying meaning. Black Mountain Side explores themes of ancient mysteries, the vulnerability of the human mind, and the dangers of unchecked scientific curiosity.

The film stars Michael Ironside, Shane Twerdun, Carl Kennedy, Marc Anthony Williams, and Andrew Kines. It received mixed reviews, with some critics praising its atmospheric tension and unsettling mood, while others found the pacing too slow and the narrative too ambiguous.