The Blair Witch Project poster
The Blair Witch Project

What’s Aged the Worst?

Cast treatment and compensation; equipment; close-up; limited bonding; sequels; missed witch shot

In the discussion (12)
Approx. transcript time · 00:52:15Read transcript
  • Sudden fame and audiences confusing actor with character reportedly invaded the cast’s privacy; Donahue wished the film had been a smaller hit.
  • The actors had to preserve the fiction of being dead, then faced backlash when audiences learned they were alive.
  • Bulky handheld cameras and DAT machines are dated.
  • Higher-definition televisions make the confessional’s nostril close-up less flattering.
  • The opening could use another fun bonding scene or more hotel drinking, with an objection that extra pop-culture banter could date it.
  • A joke laments that Josh and Mike missed Maryland’s Juan Dixon and Steve Blake tournament run.
  • The actors got no points or threshold bonuses despite shooting and creating the characters; the discussion says they were not paid fairly.
  • Jason Blum passing on the original is called a missed opportunity before his later success with Paranormal Activity.
  • The sequel is disliked; the reboot is also criticized but its climactic sequence receives strong praise.
  • A planned glimpse of a figure in white reportedly went uncaptured by the camera.
  • The sequel’s fixed release date left no time to create it; the filmmakers said they were out.
  • Donahue’s departure from acting and name change are presented as signs of the difficult aftermath and regret over using her real name.