Running Time: 99 Minutes
Starring: Jimmy Roberts, Parker Paige, Tara Buranakul, Ashley Nashville, Lance J. Parker, Kate Hargrave, Lauren Grendon, Sekki Tabasuares, Aaron O'Brien, James Bayes
Making his feature debut, writer/director Ashley Nashville delivers a contemporary tale following people investigating the supernatural. Within the universe of the film, Heraldry Paranormal is a web-series involving four paranormal investigators who search Yorkshire for evidence of the paranormal. Leading the team is Finlay (Jimmy Roberts), who has studied his life determined to find definitive evidence. Joining him is Seamus (Ashley Nashville), his well-meaning brother who is the cameraman, researcher Emerson (Tara Buranakul), and editor Blair (Parker Paige), who is in a long-distance relationship with Finlay while living in America.
The first investigation that viewers see involves an Airbnb in Doncaster, which the owner promotes as being haunted. Between hearing creepy noises and getting promising readings, the team's excitement transforms into disappointment upon discovering these were faked by the owner. The conman becomes hostile when his deception is revealed, as he teams up with Rosie Watts (Kate Hargrave), a paranormal investigator with a following, to put Heraldry Paranormal on the receiving end of backlash.
Dismayed by the hostility they are receiving, the team soon offer to help a same-sex couple who are experiencing a horrific haunting. The house was left to one of the ladies in the will of her homophobic grandfather, not as the peace offering that she hoped for, but instead one last hateful act from the grave. Their dream to have their own house has transformed into a nightmare, and it could be the last investigation from Heraldry Paranormal.
The feature unfolds in a found-footage style, as though viewers are watching the unfolding adventures through online videos and behind-the-scenes footage. For a work that is a horror-comedy mixture, it is a shame that the film struggles to excel with either genre. Entertaining comedic moments do appear, particularly involving an ill-timed rap song, but it struggles to reach those heights often. As for the scares, they bring to mind more effective works which accomplished similar things within the found-footage conceit.
What works best is the characterisation, as you are left feeling like you know the central quartet. Finley takes the job seriously as he chases his long-held dreams, but his search for paranormal proof can leave him coming off as rude and dismissive. As a result, he soon finds that his dreams are not what he expected. In his corner through thick and thin is Seamus, with the brother believably coming alive with a fierce protectiveness that captures his dog-like loyalty.
Due to living in America, Blair feels distanced from the team. They have never even met their boyfriend in-person, finding the long distance to be difficult when they just want to join in. The connection is keenly felt between Blair and Finlay, selling the relationship with a touching effectiveness. Rounding out the group is Emerson, who has started going to the gym out of a desire to not feel pushed around by others. These fun characters offer entertaining interactions, particularly with cheery neighbour Ray (Lance J. Parker) who Finlay irrationally dislikes. It all makes for a character-driven work which resolves the horror elements, before reaching effective emotional resolutions which feel earned. As such, Heraldry Paranormal is an enjoyable time well spent.
Heraldry Paranormal made its World Premiere at FrightFest 2026
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