And we’re back! Time to discuss this little supernatural yoga horror show, Mind Body Spirit. Directed by Alex Henes and Matthew Merenda, this found footage flick tries to mix downward dog with downward spiral.

Our protagonist, Anya, is an aspiring yoga influencer. Picture your stereotypical YouTuber who says things like, “Hey guys, welcome back to my channel!” Yeah, that’s her. She inherits her estranged grandmother’s house and decides to film her yoga routines there. As she explores the house, she discovers a hidden room with a creepy old diary, which she, of course, starts reading. Spoiler: It’s not a cookbook. This diary contains some ancient Slavic rituals that Anya starts incorporating into her yoga videos. And, as you’d expect, all hell breaks loose.

Henes and Merenda took the found footage route, and honestly, it fits okay. Anya’s an influencer, so she’s always recording – it makes sense. They play with the format well at times, using the camera movements to create suspense. One of the best tricks they pulled is the slowly revolving camera during a meditation scene, which is both creepy and clever, reminiscent of one of the best parts of Paranormal Activity 3. But, of course, it has its hiccups. There are moments where you wonder why the hell she’s still filming when she should be running for the hills. Eventually the camera ends up moving on its own which ultimately feels like a way for the filmmakers to cheat the format. And those faux ads they sprinkled in? Funny but non-sensical!

The screenplay, co-written by Henes, Merenda, and Topher Hendricks, is a mixed bag. The concept of blending yoga with ancient rituals is fresh but it ultimately cribs a lot from Hereditary. The dialogue is hit or miss. Anya’s lines can be cringe-worthy, but I guess that’s influences for you? They nailed the awkwardness and desperation of someone trying too hard to be relevant though there are frequent inexplicable edit cuts. The story’s predictable, though. Despite seeing the twists coming, it’s still a pretty fun ride – then again, I’m a sucker for stories involving the occult.

Sarah J. Bartholomew as Anya is the heart of this film. She’s on camera almost the entire time, and she pulls it off. She captures the essence of a millennial lost in the pursuit of online fame quite well. Her descent into madness is gradual and pretty believable. One minute she’s bubbly and positive, the next she’s a hot mess talking to spirits. The supporting cast, particularly Madi Bready as Kenzi, also deliver decent performances. Kenzi’s your classic successful influencer, and Bready fits the part.

Mind Body Spirit digs into some interesting themes: the search for identity, the desperation for belonging, and the impact of family trauma. Anya’s obsession with the diary represents her search for meaning, and her journey is a tragic one. She’s a millennial caught in the web of intergenerational trauma, exploited by her own grandmother from beyond the grave. Once again, it’s like Hereditary but with yoga mats. Gotta say, though, that Anya’s grandmother is discussed as someone that Anya never met and didn’t know. Nonetheless, Anya feels this inexplicable affinity for her unknown grandmother.

“We’re all just borrowing, stealing I guess, just taking pieces of things and making them our identity without really thinking about where they come from… I guess I just don’t really know who I am without them.” – Kenzie Fit

The film has it’s strengths. For a found footage film, it’s visually impressive. The eerie lighting, the slow pans, and the subtle background scares are top-notch. Bartholomew carries the film. Her portrayal of Anya is pretty layered, showing vulnerability, desperation, and sheer terror.

However, the plot doesn’t offer many surprises. You can see the end coming from the first act. While the cinematography is generally good, the pointless CGI (particularly the “throat clearing” scene) is horrendous, not even remotely obeying the laws of physics. In addition, there are moments where you just can’t buy into why Anya keeps filming. It pulls you out of the experience. I also wish the ancient rituals and the backstory of the grandmother would have been explored more. It feels a bit shallow.

Mind Body Spirit is a decent flick about the pitfalls of influencer culture mixed with supernatural occult horror. Found footage, influencer culture, and familial occult themes have all been done better elsewhere. It’s not perfect, but it’s watchable and entertaining. The acting isn’t bad and the concept is fun enough.

Director: Alex Henes, Matthew Merenda
Writer: Alex Henes, Matthew Merenda, Topher Hendricks
Released May 7, 2024