Hunting Matthew Nichols is a 2024 Canadian horror-thriller that blends found footage techniques with a modern investigative mockumentary style. The film is directed and written by Markian Tarasiuk, who also appears onscreen alongside Miranda MacDougall.
Set against the dense wilderness of Vancouver Island, the story follows a documentary filmmaker revisiting a decades-old disappearance tied to local folklore and disturbing legends.
The plot centers on Tara Nichols, who is still haunted by the unexplained disappearance of her brother Matthew and his friend Jordan Reimer in 2001. Inspired by The Blair Witch Project, the two teens vanished while investigating stories of a mysterious 19th-century trapper. When new and unsettling evidence surfaces more than twenty years later, Tara returns to the island to uncover answers that locals insist should remain buried.
The film has gained attention on the festival circuit, including awards for Best Found Footage Feature, and is scheduled for a wider theatrical release on April 10, 2026.
Hunting Matthew Nichols Age Rating
Hunting Matthew Nichols is officially rated R (Restricted) by the MPA for language and some violent content/bloody images. This rating indicates the film is intended for mature audiences, and viewers under 17 require a parent or adult guardian. The intensity of the horror, combined with realistic violence and disturbing imagery, makes it unsuitable for younger viewers.
Violence & Peril
The film contains moderate to strong violence rooted in survival horror and psychological dread. Characters experience physical struggles, threats in the wilderness, and moments of panic-driven aggression. While much of the violence is implied rather than prolonged, its sudden and realistic presentation heightens its impact. The found footage style amplifies tension, making even brief confrontations feel raw and unsettling.
Language
Strong language is frequent throughout the film, particularly during moments of fear, stress, and emotional breakdown. Profanity is used naturally in dialogue and is consistent with the R rating. There are no known racial slurs, but repeated use of harsh language may concern some parents.
Mature Themes
The story explores intense themes including unresolved grief, obsession, trauma, and the psychological toll of seeking closure. References to death and disappearance are central to the narrative, and the film leans into supernatural and cult-like implications that may be disturbing. Bloody imagery appears intermittently, often as shocking discoveries rather than prolonged scenes. There is no sexual content or nudity, but the emotional weight and bleak tone are heavy throughout.
Is Hunting Matthew Nichols Suitable for Teens?
Ages 13–15: No. The film’s intense atmosphere, graphic implications, and psychological horror make it inappropriate for younger teens. The realistic presentation and disturbing themes could be overwhelming or frightening.
Ages 16–17: With Guidance. Older teens familiar with horror may handle the film, but parental discretion is strongly advised. The emotional distress, bloody imagery, and unsettling ending may still be difficult for sensitive viewers.
Overall, Hunting Matthew Nichols is best suited for adults aged 18 and up, particularly those who enjoy slow-burn, psychologically intense found footage horror.
What Parents Can Do
- Talk with teens about the emotional themes of grief and obsession before viewing, as these ideas drive the film’s tension.
- Prepare viewers for the realistic horror style, including sudden scares and disturbing imagery presented as documentary footage.
- Encourage discussion after the film about how unresolved loss and myth-making can affect mental health and decision-making.
Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: What is the age rating for Hunting Matthew Nichols?
A: The film is rated R by the MPA for strong language, violent content, and bloody images.
Q: Is Hunting Matthew Nichols appropriate for kids?
A: No. The film’s mature themes and intense horror elements make it unsuitable for children.
Q: Is this movie okay for teens?
A: Older teens may watch with parental guidance, but it is primarily intended for adults.
Q: Are there scary or violent scenes?
A: Yes. The film includes psychological terror, sudden scares, and realistic depictions of violence and peril.
Q: Does the movie contain sexual content or nudity?
A: No sexual content or nudity has been reported.
Q: Where can I watch Hunting Matthew Nichols?
A: The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on April 10, 2026 by Dropshock Pictures and Moon7 Films.