Horror Movie Review: Horror in the High Desert 2: Minerva (2023)

Released in 2021, Horror in the High Desert was a surprisingly strong film. A found-footage horror that was done in the style of a ‘mockumentary’. A style of film that combines footage, interviews, telephone calls, internet history, news bulletins and characters piecing a mystery together, into something that feels like a documentary.

That is what Horror in the High Desert nailed. The wonderful combination of artistic licencing that you get with a documentary and enigmatic true-crime horror. Putting it simply, it felt real and told its story about an outdoor enthusiast who went missing in northern Nevada very well. Read our full review here.

A sequel seemed inevitable, especially when so much of the mystery remained unsolved, and in 2023, that is exactly what we got with Horror in the High Desert 2: Minerva. The second entry in a now-planned series, and one that picks up after the events of the first film. The disappearance of Gary Hinge isn’t the only mystery within the high desert of Northern Nevada and this film focuses on the story of Minerva, a woman who disappeared in similar fashion to Gary.

Are they linked?

That is what the mockumentary side of Horror in the High Desert 2: Minerva explores, and there is a very strong sense that writer and director Dutch Marich is world building now. Something he does very well alongside a masterful crafting of tension and intrigue. The first half of the film is some of the most unnerving found-footage horror in the modern times and, once again, it all feels so very real.

Unfortunately, it’s not something Horror in the High Desert 2: Minerva is able to maintain as it turns out to be all build and no payoff. It’s tease after tease, creating frustration when it becomes abundantly clear this film isn’t going to give any answers. In fact, the latter part of the film slows down to such an extent, it’s hard to stay engaged. Sure, there’s some creep factor and the tension is high, but it’s perfectly clear that nothing of significance is going to happen, so why be invested?

It’s extremely frustrating and ensures that Horror in the High Desert 2: Minerva can’t be considered as strong as the first film, even if it is still a good film overall. It’s well made, especially for a found footage horror, and it does leave an impression. It’s just a shame that there wasn’t more story commitment to this specific film, rather than the overall series and what will come after. It’s fine to be looking ahead, but you must give the viewers something to chew on if you expect them to come back next time.

Still, all that being said, Horror in the High Desert 2: Minerva is worth watching, especially if you enjoyed the first one.