"I do all my little puzzles. I do crosswords. I'm lifting weights. I am doing everything that I have read will help to stave off the progression of this disease. Stave it off! There's no cure. And so when I am in the middle of something and suddenly my mind just leaves the premises, there are no words to describe how distressing it is."

“The Taking of Deborah Logan” is a horror film that blends found footage filmmaking with chilling supernatural elements. The film not only delivers plenty of scares, but also explores deep themes of memory, identity, and the harrowing effects of Alzheimer’s disease.
The narrative revolves around a documentary crew seeking to capture the life of Deborah Logan, an elderly woman suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer’s. What begins as a straightforward exploration of her daily struggles quickly turns into a nightmare as the crew documents Deborah’s increasingly disturbing and frightening behavior. The film is anchored by an exceptional performance by Jill Larson as Deborah, who is both haunting and heartbreaking. Jill navigates the complexities of a woman struggling with the ravages of memory loss, infusing her character with a vulnerability that is heartbreaking in certain scenes.
The use of handheld cameras heightens the documentary feel, immersing viewers in the most intimate and often claustrophobic spaces of Deborah’s home. The increasingly dark scenes and tight framing amplify the tension, drawing the audience closer to the unfolding horror.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the film for me is its ability to present multiple emotions in horror. As the documentary crew — led by the sincere and determined Mia — delves deeper into Deborah’s life, they discover not only the terrifying manifestations of her disease, but also the heartbreaking reality of her condition. This dual narrative creates a complex interplay between fear and empathy, challenging viewers to confront their own feelings about aging and loss.
Ultimately, “The Taking of Deborah Logan” moves beyond horror to its commitment to exploring the human experience. It doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of Alzheimer’s, portraying it as a terrifying entity in its own right — one that slowly and inevitably consumes memories and identities. This thematic depth, even when mixed with a horror film, ensures that the film sticks with you, leaving you with reflections on family ties, the fragility of the mind, and the inevitability of aging.