Podcaster-turned-director Tony Merkel gained’t convert the naysayers with “The Shape of Shadows.”

The indie documentary affords nuggets of paranormal exercise however nothing conclusive or revelatory.

It’s a cinematic spin on his podcast, “The Confessionals,” the place he listens, with out judgment, to folks sharing tales that may’t be defined away by conventional science.

He’s a seeker, and “Shadows” mirrors that curiosity. It additionally faucets into a component many may discover shocking – the pressure of Christianity which unites Merkel and his flock.

“Shape of Shadows” finds Merkel’s small staff exploring Area Wolf Analysis, a Utah land parcel the place the legend of the Skinwalker refuses to fade away. Tales of supernatural happenings pop up in mainstream tradition, witness exhibits like The Historical past Channel’s “The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch.”

“Shadows” affords a complementary tackle these tales, zooming in on these interested in their origins and the way they intersect with native tradition. It helps that “Shadows” arrives at a time when increasingly conspiracy theories are proving to be true.

Armed with digicam tools and open minds, Merkel’s crew items collectively clues suggesting the legendary tales have a kernel of fact to them.

If no more.

The documentary introduces us to 2 Native Individuals who’ve little doubt that paranormal actions are very actual. It’s a part of their heritage, they usually patiently clarify how they overlap with tales handed down over time.

Merkel’s digicam provides an excessive amount of time to them in some situations, the place a extra environment friendly storytelling mode would have served the venture higher.

The low-budget characteristic boasts spectacular cinematography, profiting from its Utah backdrop. Even the rating overshoots its fiscal restraints, including simply the best contact to scenes designed to upend our preconceived notions.

Merkel doesn’t take middle stage. He lets his collaborators get loads of face time, capturing their unrehearsed reactions within the course of. These aren’t wannabe actuality present stars aping for the digicam.

In addition they quietly share the non secular core behind their curiosity.

Mild indicators of Christianity abound, from discuss of prayer to cross symbols seen amidst the digicam gear and automobiles.

The movie’s waning minutes are supposed to provide one other signal of the paranormal, however the lack of documenting footage undercuts its argument.

“The Shape of Shadows” clocks in at below 90 minutes, however it’s the uncommon case of a documentary the place extra may have been higher. How does Merkel’s religion align with the paranormal occasions he seeks to doc, for starters?

These wanting to study extra could must faucet into Merkel’s increasing media empire. “Shadows” solely scratches the floor, however it does so in ways in which make us longing for extra.

HiT or Miss: “The Shape of Shadows” affords a lo-fi take a look at those that search proof of the paranormal, revealing one thing about them, and ourselves, alongside the way in which.