British Horror Film Abandoned Reinvents Found Footage with Ambitious Cinematic Style

British indie horror film Abandoned is aiming to redefine the found footage genre by combining traditional cinematic filmmaking with immersive first-person horror. Written, directed and produced by Joby Stephens, the film begins with sweeping, high-end visuals captured on Sony Venice 2 cameras before shifting to handheld Sony FX3 and iPhone 16 Pro footage as its characters venture into the mysterious “Morbex” building. The gradual transition is designed to pull audiences deeper into the story, making them feel as though they are experiencing the terror alongside the characters.

What makes Abandoned particularly interesting is the technology behind the production. From what I gather and happy to stand corrected if picked up incorrectly, the crew installed a complex remote monitoring network throughout the abandoned location, allowing actors to roam freely while cameras were controlled from a central hub. Long, uninterrupted takes, some lasting nearly 40 minutes, were combined with hidden scares, limited script information and genuine performer reactions to heighten realism. Darkness also became a central storytelling tool, with many scenes lit only by camera-mounted torches and practical lighting inside the building.

Despite its daring and impressive technical approach, Abandoned remains a self-funded independent production. Stephens and his team even lived on-site in a disused prison during filming to keep costs manageable, while the film’s sound design drew inspiration from horror games such as Resident Evil and Silent Hill to make the building feel like a living presence. Currently in post-production, Abandoned is expected to premiere later this year and could emerge as one of the most inventive British horror films on the independent scene.

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