DELIVERY - THE HALLOWEEN HORRORS COLLECTION

By Guest Reviewer Rebecca Barr

Feeling like the spawn of Paranormal Activity and Rosemary’s Baby, 2009’s ‘Delivery’ from Director Brian Netto follows newly pregnant couple Rachel and Kyle as they document the pregnancy for a faux reality TV show. Though it should be a joyous time, the couple soon find they have to more to manage than morning sickness.

The feature feels very authentic, shot in the style of a documentary and initially stylised like a typical reality show. From the introductory scenes with appropriately stylised graphics to the accompanying upbeat jingles, Delivery would initially fit in well as a show on a billing alongside Teen Mom or some iteration of Real Housewives. Things take a darker turn as the feature progresses, developing into a more conventional ‘found footage’ film. 

As expectant mother Rachel’s bump grows, so does the sense of dread, as the viewer experiences firsthand the odd occurrences that plague the young couple. Though initially quick to dismiss Rachel’s concern as hormones, Kyle and the crew grow increasingly concerned by the alarming incidents. The family dog takes a sudden inexplicable dislike to Rachel and she is harassed by an elderly woman who screams ‘Devil’ at her in her native tongue, the bizarre incidents cumulatively implying that Rachel may be expecting something other than a bundle of joy.

The feature is scattered with cuts between the footage and staged interviews with the ‘crew’ of the reality show as they reflect on their experiences. This dialogue builds a sense of foreboding as we are teased with hints of things to come.

Whilst not a new premise, Delivery attempts to bring the story to life with a different approach. Given the popularity of reality television in recent years, it does seem a little surprising that we haven’t had more takes on this style of feature. Though the film delivers a few scares, most of the terror is situational - built gradually from the horror of the environment the protagonists find themselves in before swelling to a shocking conclusion.

Given the similarities, it’s unavoidable that Delivery will be compared to Paranormal Activity. Though this may leave some viewers feeling underwhelmed, when considered on its own merits, the film stands up as an innovative piece of found footage horror that capitalises on the prevalence of reality TV. Though the immersive nature of such films may not be for everyone, Delivery finds the terror in the ordinary in a way that will be relatable to many audiences - bringing the very real nightmares of pregnancy to life.

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