Reviews for the film are polarized, often focusing on its execution and the performance of its lead:
The story follows 17-year-old Collin Mason, a vlogger in Cohasset, Massachusetts, who murders three of his classmates and uploads the footage to the internet. The film is framed as a documentary made years later, combining Mason’s supposed "video diaries" with interviews from "experts" and local residents discussing the impact of the crimes on the small town. The Cohasset Snuff Film
Many critics on platforms like Letterboxd found the lead performance to be "cartoonish" or "hammy," which undercut the intended psychological horror. Others criticized the film for lacking nuance compared to similar "killer profile" films. Where to Watch Reviews for the film are polarized, often focusing
The film has been made available on various streaming platforms over the years. Viewers have reported seeing it on the PLEX app and Amazon. Others criticized the film for lacking nuance compared
The central conceit is that the town of Cohasset attempted to suppress the "real" footage through legal action, leading to the "snuff film" being circulated only via underground BitTorrent sites.
Some viewers praise its "disturbing" and "chilling" atmosphere, noting that the mockumentary talking heads feel believable and the gore effects are effective for a low-budget production.
The Cohasset Snuff Film is a 2012 independent horror film directed by Edward Payson that utilizes a mockumentary and found-footage format. Despite its provocative title and marketing that suggested real-life events, the film is entirely fictional.