Horror Movie Review: Horror in the High Desert 4: Majesty (2025)

Hopefully, Dutch Marich has another one in him, as it does feel like there’s still so much more Horror in the High Desert to explore.

Those are the final words of my review of Horror in the High Desert 3: Firewatch. The third film in the writer/director Dutch Marich’s Horror in the High Desert found footage horror film series. So, imagine my pleasure to see Horror in the High Desert 4: Majesty arrive on streaming platforms. It’s the only time I get excited about found footage horror as Dutch Marich has earned his positive reputation having expertly crafted a deep and dark world that continues to expand, film after film.

It all started with Gary Hinge, an outdoor enthusiast who went missing in northern Nevada, and the attempt to find out what happened to him (read the review of the first film here). Then, there was Minerva, who suffered a similar fate to Gary, but there, the picture grew larger, and their individual stories linked together (read the review of the second film here). This was more than just some people going missing in the wilderness. Before along came Oscar, who went further than anyone to find the truth, and in doing so, uncovered more (read the review of the third film here).

It’s a series that consistently delivers strong stories stepped in mystery, unsettling atmosphere, and moments of horror. It’s a series that requires patience, but willing viewers will find themselves extremely immersed by what it has to offer. I have found myself enamoured with the series, and while the bar that Horror in the High Desert 3: Firewatch isn’t quite reached here, Horror in the High Desert 4: Majesty is another strong entry.

Weere, to move forward, we first must go back. Which isn’t as regressive as it sounds. First, let me remind you of the style of found footage that is the Horror in the High Desert series.

It offers a style of film that combines found footage, interviews, telephone calls, internet history, news bulletins, letters, characters, and more piecing a mystery together, into something that feels like a documentary. As well as mixing traditional found footage in, we also get aspects of true crime too.

Here, the mystery moves way beyond a few missing people and starts to focus on the desert as a whole, as well as a host of different people associated with it. One such person is Dolly Broadbent (Laurie Felix Bass) and her family’s history with the desert goes far back. In fact, her father obsessed over the mysteries within, and it cost her family dearly.

It all comes down to a box (what’s in the box!?). Which is supposedly filled with evidence that was long lost, until now.

Ruddy mysterious, right? I do really like the on-going saga and how every answer we get comes with ten more questions. We may never get the complete answer but damn it if the journey doesn’t continue to be an enjoyable one. Especially as here, we get a retro treat that cleverly utilises the technologies of the time that Dolly’s father was doing his investigation during. This not only keeps the tone similar to the other films, but adds a new lo-fi dimension that helps create even more atmosphere. Even if some of the footage starts to get into territory that I don’t like. The kind that makes found footage off-putting.

Thankfully, Marich’s style and ability to tell a story keeps my attention focused, and it will yours, provided you have been along for the ride so far. That is important as Marich loves to take his time, even when it comes to scares, and although he doesn’t employ any new tricks, his arsenal is still very effective.

What really makes the difference though is the family angle. Here, we’re not looking at visitors to this world, we’re looking at those deeply ingrained in it. That adds a whole new dimension to the horror, and adds a bit more emotion. Which Marich is able to convey without overdoing it. It is another great entry in a series that continues to delight, fascinate, and horrify. Roll on the next entry, which based off the ending here, promises to be the most explosive yet.