✅ The Man With The Black Umbrella (2025) is an independent horror film that leans heavily into the chilling found-footage subgenre. Written and directed by Ricky Umberger, the movie capitalizes on the fear of urban legends, bringing the online creepypasta-style myth of “The Man with the Black Umbrella” to life. Premiering after a successful festival run, the film delivers a tense, slow-burn mystery that morphs into occult terror, proving that sometimes, digging for the truth uncovers something far worse than a simple crime.
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The Man with the Black Umbrella
Director: Ricky Umberger
Writers: N/A
Stars: Carey Bibb, Robert Bigley, James Herbert
Country: United States of America
Genres: Horror
Languages: English
Overview: On January 8th, 2015, a man with a black umbrella broke into 818 Hilltop Drive at 3:38a.m., committing a double murder. The investigation that ensued proved that some murders shouldn’t be solved.
TMDb: View on TMDb
The Man With The Black Umbrella (2025) – Movie Overview & Analysis-FilmyFlix
Movie Details
- Full Name: The Man With The Black Umbrella (2025)
- Language: English (US)
- Budget: Undisclosed (Micro-Budget Independent Production)
- Revenue: Not Publicly Disclosed (Initial VOD/Digital Release)
- Runtime: Approx. 90 Minutes
- Release Date: September 26, 2025 (Initial Digital/VOD Release)
- Genres: Horror, Found Footage, Mystery, Thriller
- Cast: Primary Cast Information is Not Widely Disclosed (Found Footage Style)
- Directors: Ricky Umberger
- Screenplay: Ricky Umberger
- Studios & Producers: Umberger Film (Independent Production)
- Voice Cast: Not Applicable
- Animation & Style: Found Footage / Mockumentary
OFFICIAL IMAGES
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Image via Umberger Film / The Fear Footage
Plot Summary
“The Man With The Black Umbrella” opens with a chilling premise based on true crime: the horrific double murder committed at 818 Hilltop Drive on January 8th, 2015, by a mysterious figure wielding a black umbrella. The film is presented as a found-footage investigation into this unsolved case. The narrative centers on a man determined to uncover the truth behind his sister’s murder, a crime he suspects is connected to the enigmatic figure known only in local lore as “The Man With The Black Umbrella” or “Mr. Morning.” As the protagonist and his private investigator delve deeper, they uncover evidence suggesting the crime is not a simple home invasion, but rather a ritualistic act tied to obscure urban legends and potentially occult practices. The investigation takes them through surveillance footage, dark web forums, and eerie locations, slowly peeling back the veil on a supernatural entity. The film builds on the notion that the more they try to solve the mystery, the more danger they invite, reinforcing the chilling idea that some mysteries are meant to remain unsolved for the safety of those still living. It’s a tense journey from true-crime mystery into full-blown supernatural horror.
Cast & Crew
As is customary for the found-footage horror genre, “The Man With The Black Umbrella” features a cast of largely unknown actors to enhance the perceived realism. The focus is placed on the authenticity of the reactions and the mounting dread, rather than established star power. The central performances revolve around the brother investigating the murder and the private investigator he hires. Their dynamic, captured entirely through recovered tapes, webcams, and mobile phone footage, drives the narrative. Though specific names of the actors are not widely publicized, their commitment to their roles—conveying genuine fear, frustration, and mounting obsession—is crucial to the film’s success in maintaining the illusion of authenticity. Director and writer Ricky Umberger deserves credit for crafting a cohesive narrative structure out of disparate pieces of “found” media, expertly guiding the tension and ensuring the scares feel earned. Umberger’s distinct vision elevates the low-budget production, creating a menacing and immersive atmosphere that relies on clever staging and the power of suggestion rather than costly special effects.
Critical & Audience Response
“The Man With The Black Umbrella” received generally positive, though polarized, reviews following its film festival appearances. Critics largely praised the film’s strong conceptual foundation, particularly the effective use of a unique, internet-age urban legend. The movie was lauded for its **chilling and effective final act**, which delivers genuinely memorable and scary imagery, helping it secure wins for “Best Horror Feature” and “Best Feature Film” at the GenreBlast Film Festival. The **viral marketing campaign** that preceded the film’s release was also noted as a brilliant move, building significant buzz and lore. However, criticisms were often aimed at the pacing, with many reviewers finding the **first two acts slow and weighed down** by the investigative procedures, a common drawback of the found-footage subgenre. Some critics also pointed out that the film relies too heavily on certain *found footage* tropes, such as excessive camera shaking and characters wandering aimlessly. Despite these flaws, the audience response from horror fans has been enthusiastic, praising the film for its unique antagonist and its successful blend of true-crime elements with supernatural horror.
Direction & Cinematography
Director Ricky Umberger demonstrates an adept understanding of the found-footage methodology, focusing his direction on generating paranoia and slow-building dread. His skill lies in establishing the mysterious lore surrounding the titular figure through fragments of information and unsettling visual cues. The direction relies on a **slow, deliberate reveal** of the supernatural elements, which pays off handsomely in the climax. The cinematography, inherently dictated by the *found-footage* format, is raw, shaky, and often dimly lit, designed to mimic real-life security and personal camera recordings. This style contributes immensely to the film’s immersive, voyeuristic atmosphere. The camera work, while sometimes frustratingly unstable (as is genre convention), is precisely controlled to obscure and reveal key horror elements, ensuring that the few explicit appearances of the “Man With The Black Umbrella” are genuinely terrifying. Umberger’s creative use of various digital media formats—from phone screens to professional cameras—adds textural depth to the investigation and grounds the escalating supernatural events in a seemingly plausible digital reality.
Music & Background Score
In line with the genre’s demands, “The Man With The Black Umbrella” largely **minimizes traditional music** and background scores, choosing instead to emphasize **diegetic sound and sound design** to create horror. The film relies heavily on atmospheric noises, sudden, sharp bursts of sound, and the chilling distortion of audio from the found sources to build tension. The sound mix is a crucial element, making the slightest creak, distorted voice, or the distant, rhythmic sound of footsteps or rainfall—specifically associated with the antagonist—a source of immense dread. When musical elements *are* subtly introduced, they are often non-traditional, using deep, unsettling electronic rumbles or discordant strings to underscore the shift from crime mystery into supernatural horror. This minimal yet highly effective approach to sound ensures that the audience remains immersed in the characters’ desperate situation, making the horror feel more immediate and visceral through its realistic soundscape.
Visuals & Special Effects
The visual strength of “The Man With The Black Umbrella” lies in its **gritty realism and atmospheric tension**. The aesthetic is deliberately lo-fi and grainy, reflecting the various qualities of the recovered footage. The film eschews expensive CGI in favor of **practical effects and subtle, unnerving imagery**. The figure of the “Man With The Black Umbrella” itself is a simple yet powerfully unsettling visual—a tall, dark silhouette, often partially obscured, providing minimal information and maximum dread. Key horror sequences, particularly those in the third act involving a funeral home, are praised for their chilling staging and effective use of shadow and limited light. The focus on *mise-en-scène*—such as small, ritualistic objects left behind—over explicit gore or spectacle is a hallmark of the film. This grounded approach to visuals ensures that the supernatural elements, when they appear, feel deeply intrusive and genuinely disturbing, maximizing the impact of its low-budget constraints.
Editing & Screenplay
The screenplay, written by Ricky Umberger, is structurally ambitious, attempting to weave a compelling murder mystery with the unsettling elements of a supernatural urban legend. The script successfully builds a solid foundation of lore and paranoia, though its pacing, especially in the first half focused on the investigation, could be tighter. The **editing** is a crucial component of the film’s found-footage success. It functions to stitch together various media sources—CCTV, personal vlogs, and security cams—into a cohesive narrative timeline. Editorially, the film masterfully employs the horror trope of **delayed gratification**, holding back on explicit reveals to amplify suspense. However, the film’s commitment to the found-footage aesthetic sometimes leads to prolonged, uneventful sequences, which occasionally strain audience patience. Ultimately, the editing is highly effective at delivering sharp, terrifying jump scares and building towards its intense, occult-driven climax, fulfilling the potential established by the unique screenplay concept.
Positives / What Works
The greatest strengths of “The Man With The Black Umbrella” lie in its **unique and compelling central antagonist**, creating a genuinely fresh piece of horror lore. Director Ricky Umberger’s dedication to the found-footage format delivers a truly **immersive and visceral viewing experience**. The film is highly praised for its **intense, rewarding third act**, which shifts the narrative from a dry investigation into full-blown supernatural terror, featuring some deeply unsettling imagery. The film’s **sound design** is masterful, expertly using non-musical elements to build an atmosphere of sustained dread. Furthermore, the intelligent **viral marketing campaign** successfully generated an authentic sense of urban legend, which enhances the viewing experience for those familiar with the lore.
Negatives / What Doesn’t Work
The movie suffers from **slow pacing in the first two acts**, as the investigative elements often take precedence over the horror, which may test the patience of viewers looking for constant scares. As is typical of the genre, the film utilizes several **overused found-footage tropes**, including periods of excessive camera shake and dimly lit wandering that border on tedious. For some, the reliance on an **uncredited cast** and a lack of clear character development outside of the central mystery makes connecting with the protagonists challenging. The necessity of using low-fidelity footage means that the picture quality is intentionally rough, which might be a barrier for audiences unfamiliar with or averse to the found-footage aesthetic.
Final Verdict / Conclusion
“The Man With The Black Umbrella” is a solid and highly effective entry into the found-footage canon. It stands out for its unique concept and its brave commitment to a slow-burn narrative that pays off with genuine horror. While it requires patience due to its deliberately slow pacing and reliance on genre conventions, the film is a chilling and atmospheric experience. Director Ricky Umberger successfully builds a menacing mythology around a simple figure, delivering a finale that validates the tension. This movie is a must-watch for dedicated fans of low-budget, independent horror who appreciate authentic atmosphere and the power of suggestion over spectacle. For those seeking a fresh take on the urban legend subgenre, the black umbrella is waiting.
Movie Rating
| Rating Category | Score (Out of 5 Stars) |
| Plot & Storyline | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Acting & Performances | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Direction & Cinematography | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Music & Background Score | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Overall Entertainment Value | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Average Score | 3.4 / 5 |
OFFICIAL TRAILER
FAQs
Is "The Man With The Black Umbrella" based on a real event?
The movie is a fictional story, but it uses a cold case double murder premise and builds upon viral urban legends and creepypasta surrounding a figure known as the "Man With The Black Umbrella" or "Mr. Morning."
Who is the director of the movie?
The film was written and directed by Ricky Umberger.
