
Hostile Dimensions starts with a BANG! Graffiti artist Emily (Josie Rogers) vanishes through a dimensional gate, which she enters via a door that’s standing on its own in an abandoned building. This curious case becomes the lure for filmmakers Sam (Annabel Logan) and Ash (Joma West), who unearth the footage and ‘the door.’ Through the portal, as Marvel movies have become popular, there are an infinite number of worlds. However, in this picture, the worlds evolve based on the person’s thoughts at the moment of entry. This passport into worlds fantastic and sinister conjured by emotion made me think of ‘The Nexus’ from Star Trek: Generations (1994), in which one’s desires are transmogrified into reality. A lot of these films tend to allow the viewer to lapse into boredom, as they can often be just lazy vignettes spliced together. Hostile Dimensions manages, for the most part, to avoid this with its intricately unfolding premise, which occasionally gets side-tracked by an awkward character musing or exposition dump. These few scenes tend to derail a more resonant sense of mystery and dread, which opens the movie.
The final act feels a tad higgledy-piggledy, never producing a substantial account as to why this is all going on. Heck…the final moments sparked memories of Masters of the Universe (1987). Specifically, the moment when James Tolkan (Detective Lubic) declares he has found a better life in Eternia and is going to stay. Of course, the rest of the cast have to return to tell the tale…and then there’s ‘a door’ which they hang on to…just in case they need to get back into this alternative Narnia of Horrors.

“…Emily vanishes through a dimensional gate ..”
The Blair Witch Project (1999) paved the way for an entire genre, from additions like Cloverfield (2008) to The Visit (2015) and, more recently, Late Night with the Devil (2023). Then there is the indie side of things with flicks like Cold Blooded (2024), Dashcam (2021), and Megan is Missing (2011). It seems horror flicks that revolve around found footage are an ideal route for filmmakers who are big on ideas and low on finances. And that’s what separates this picture, written and directed by Graham Hughes, from the myriad other entries in the same category…big ideas.
These movies make some viewers groan, and rightly so. After you’ve captured lightning in a bottle…it’s very hard to replicate that magic. Still, for captivated fans, as well as potential newcomers, whether they be seekers of a good scary movie or a Blair Witch knock-off, Hostile Dimensions, a mixed bag though it may be, pleasantly surprises. The film is loaded with enough curious twists and turns to keep your eyes glued to the screen to see who lives, who dies, and if anybody is smart enough to close ‘the door’ on their way out.

"…An alternative Narnia of Horrors pleasantly surprises"