‘Muffled’ Takes Found Footage Horror to Dances With Films

Muffled, a new found footage horror film centred on a decade-old disappearance and the dangers of online obsession, will make its world premiere later this month as part of the 2026 Dances With Films Festival in Los Angeles.

Written and directed by Stephen McNamee, the feature has been selected for the festival’s official programme and will screen at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood on 27 June. The premiere marks McNamee’s feature directorial debut following a background in sketch comedy, short filmmaking and web series production.

The film follows Nora and Harper, two true crime enthusiasts who return to their hometown ten years after the unexplained disappearance of their childhood friend Greta. Armed with cameras and recording equipment, the pair set out to create a documentary exploring the cold case. Their investigation soon leads them towards disturbing local rumours, internet folklore and alleged occult activity, blurring the line between research and participation as events begin to spiral beyond their control.

The premise places Muffled within a long tradition of found footage horror, while also drawing on more contemporary internet-age fears. According to the synopsis, the investigation uncovers connections to creepypastas and online myths, pushing the characters into increasingly unsettling territory as reality itself becomes harder to trust.

Leading the cast are Katya Martín, Catharine Daddario, Sydney Malakeh, Melanie Brook and Erin McCluskey. Daddario’s previous credits include IF and Lore Harbour, while Malakeh has appeared in television series including The Sex Lives of College Girls, Loot and Shrinking. Additional cast members include Chris Gray, known for Harpoon, The Society and Ray Donovan: The Movie.

For McNamee, Muffled represents the latest step in a varied creative career that has included training with Second City and Upright Citizens Brigade, as well as writing and producing independent comedy projects in New York. His previous work includes the horror-comedy short Hold The Mayo and the web series There Are No Second Takes In Life…Take 2.

The film’s marketing campaign has also begun expanding beyond traditional promotional materials. A dedicated website exploring the mythology of the so-called “Muffled Curse” has been launched ahead of the premiere, suggesting that the mystery surrounding Greta’s disappearance extends beyond the film itself. Check it out, if you dare! www.muffledcurse.com/

Founded in 1998, Dances With Films has become one of the largest showcases for independent cinema in North America, presenting hundreds of features, shorts, documentaries and episodic projects each year. The festival’s Los Angeles event remains headquartered at the TCL Chinese Theatres in the heart of Hollywood.

Muffled will receive its world premiere at Dances With Films on 27 June 2026 at 11:00pm at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood, California. For more information on the premiere and tickets, visit: danceswithfilms.com/2026-muffled/