Friends and aspiring filmmakers Ryan (Ryan Hellquist) and Collin (Aidan Bristow) endeavor to make a web docuseries, exploring the dark history of murder, cultism, and the macabre of LA. They are assisted by Ryan’s younger sister turned videographer Jamie (Ryan Bartley). Seemingly innocent, the friends’ research boosts up a notch after a chance meeting with waitress Callie (Corsica Wilson), a former member of the infamous cult “The Family”. Investigated and disbanded by the government years previous “The Family” notoriously drew similarities to the Manson cult of the 1960s. In agreement Callie is paid for her time, she reluctantly agrees to be interviewed but fears reprisals from former cult members and unwanted attention.
Precipitously, Callie’s fears become justified as the four are harassed, filmed and creepy crawled – the practice of secretly entering someone’s home and filming the occupants while asleep. This is behavior carried out by the Manson’s and “The Family”. Tensions and distrust mount within their circle after news of a former cult member’s brutal murder Manson style is reported on the mainstream news. Could this be the work of The Family, Fans, or could this be Callie?
Beginning as a found footage-esq series, the perspective quickly changes to the third person, This coincides with a change in narrative, from docuseries to a crime thriller. In an attempt to track the culprits who filmed them while asleep, Ryan enlists his love interest JP (hacker/techy- Christina Wren of Man of Steel) who consequently is kidnapped and placed in a barrel with rapidly rising water with only minutes left. Whilst Jamie stays behind to watch JP via live stream, Collin and Ryan leave, desperate to find her location. Through this diversion, the real target, Jamie, is kidnapped.
The search for Jamie becomes the focus of the story as Ryan and Collin are joined by strong supporting characters including Uncle Randy (Joel Bryant)- a brash functioning alcoholic and a former detective investigating “The Family”, and Detective Epps (Erika L. Holmes), the young determined detective leading the investigation. Ryan, Collin, and JP become investigators in their own right intent on finding Jamie and any lead on “The Family” as more former “Family members” go missing.
Personally, I recommend this web series. Each character holds their own with distinct personalities, on-screen presence, and on-screen conflicts. In addition to the main characters, former ‘Family members’, whom you cannot trust, are equally imposing. James Taylor Bennett (David Castro) is the Manson-esq “All is love” hippie leader figure and Twin Peaks actor Robert Broski’s character “Smiley” is an original Manson cult member, murderer, “Family” purist, whose inability to speak or smile reinforces his eerie demeanor.
Throughout the course of the series, other subplots and twists arise. The internal dynamics within “The Family” are touched on as well as the role Uncle Randy played in the past that may be the result of current repercussions. With exemplary writing, acting, and cinematography, I found myself emotionally invested. I was equally impressed with the opening effects of the credits and Mike Meehan’s score, which captures the sinister theme of the series.
Created and directed by Dan Ast, I highly recommend LA Macabre. It’s an Indie and despite reading there were limited resources, for me, it holds its own as an Indie against heavily- funded mainstream shows. It’s not just the tools you use but fundamentally how well you tell a story.
LA Macabre Seasons 1 and 2 are available to watch on Amazon Prime. I look forward to Season 3.
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