Why So Many Fans Compare NOC SHIFT to The Blair Witch Project

Today marks a special milestone for Thomas Sahagun's independent horror film NOC SHIFT. On June 26, the movie officially celebrates its six-month anniversary on Tubi, and during that time it has continued to find new audiences and grow into one of the platform's most talked about independent horror films.

For a movie made outside of Hollywood, NOC SHIFT has built an impressive following. New viewers continue discovering the film every week, while longtime fans keep recommending it to friends and sharing their reactions online. Six months after its streaming debut, the movie is still gaining attention and proving that word of mouth can be just as powerful as a big marketing campaign. One comparison keeps coming up more than any other. Many horror fans say NOC SHIFT reminds them of the classic horror film The Blair Witch Project.

No, the stories aren't the same, and the movies don't follow the same plot. What fans are comparing is the feeling both films create. They both take their time. They slowly build fear instead of throwing nonstop jump scares at the audience. They make viewers feel uneasy from beginning to end, and that suspense stays with them even days after the film. One fan “Arnel Media” stated “I caught myself during certain times of the day thinking of NOC SHIFT, I live alone, and it always felt like I was being watched and I never really had that feeling consistently for days until I watched this damn movie.” That sort of reaction from a fan who saw it in theaters, lets you know how real this film feels.

That slow approach is exactly why NOC SHIFT has connected with so many horror fans.

Today's horror movies often move fast. Something is always happening, and every few minutes there's another loud scare. NOC SHIFT goes in the opposite direction. It lets every scene breathe. Every empty hallway, every strange sound, every shadow, and every quiet moment adds to the tension. Some viewers may not understand that during the first few minutes of the film, but fans who have watched it say one thing over and over: “Be patient.”

This isn't a movie that's trying to scare you every thirty seconds. It's a slow burning thriller that rewards viewers who stay with it. As the story unfolds, the suspense becomes stronger and stronger until the final act delivers a tense and unforgettable finish.

The film follows a security guard working alone during the night shift when strange and disturbing events begin happening around him. What first seems like an ordinary overnight job slowly turns into something much darker. As each shift passes, he begins questioning everything around him. Is someone watching him? Is something hiding in the darkness? Or is his own mind beginning to break?

Instead of answering every question, the movie lets the mystery grow. That's one reason fans continue talking about it months after watching it.

A huge part of the film's success belongs to Kristopher Crofut, who delivers one of the strongest performances in the movie. Carrying much of the story by himself isn't easy, but Crofut makes every scene believable. His fear never feels fake, and his reactions make audiences feel like they are trapped right there with him.

His performance helps pull viewers deeper into the story, making every strange sound and every quiet moment feel even more intense.

The direct Thomas Sahagun has gotten a lot of praise for choosing atmosphere over special effects. Rather than filling the movie with loud music and constant action, he lets the silence do the work. Sometimes nothing happening is exactly what makes a scene so frightening. That style is why so many fans continue comparing the film to The Blair Witch Project. Both movies understand that suspense is sometimes more powerful than showing everything on screen.

Before arriving on Tubi, NOC SHIFT had a limited three-day theatrical run in select locations in the Central Valley and fans still talk about those screenings today. One story that kept coming up after the showings was about the popcorn which Sahagun found hilarious. Audience members joked that they spent money on popcorn, candy, and drinks, only to realize they barely touched any of it. Viewers said they were so focused on what was happening on screen that they forgot about everything else. Their eyes stayed locked on the movie as the suspense continued to build. Instead of reaching into the popcorn bucket, or drinking their sodas, and eating their candy, they sat waiting to see what would happen next.

For an independent horror film, that's the kind of reaction every filmmaker hopes for.

When NOC SHIFT arrived on Tubi six months ago, the audience became even larger. The film quickly found horror fans looking for something different from the usual studio releases. According to the production, NOC SHIFT spent five consecutive months in Tubi's Highly Recommended section, helping thousands of viewers discover the movie.

Even after six months, the momentum hasn't completely slowed down.

The film continues gaining new viewers, and recent weeks have seen another wave of people discovering it. Horror fans continue recommending it across social media, posting reviews, and encouraging others to give the slow-burning thriller a chance. As more viewers watch the film, the conversation continues to grow, proving that independent horror can still make a big impact without a massive budget.

One thing has become very clear over the past six months, NOC SHIFT has built a loyal fanbase and has even helped the production in big ways as their following continues to grow for Slaughter Night which was even more successful of film.

With that success has come one question that Sahagun hears often, Will there be a Sequel?

Fans have been asking for a sequel since the movie first premiered. Messages continue coming in through social media and emails, with viewers saying they want to know what happens next. Many have shared their own theories about the ending and have even suggested ideas for where a second film could go.

As the movie continues growing on Tubi, those requests have only become more common. However, Thomas Sahagun says fans shouldn't expect a sequel anytime soon. Although he appreciates the incredible support and is thankful that so many people have connected with the film, Sahagun has said there are no plans for a sequel in the near future anytime soon. The production team has also confirmed that NOC SHIFT 2 is not currently in development. Although Sahagun has said repeatedly that there is no plans for a sequel, he did state “never say never, I remember I said I would never make a sequel for Slaughter Night, so its not off the table completely, but right now, I want to do other things.”

Rather than rushing to make another movie, the focus remains on letting the original film continue reaching new audiences. With new viewers still finding NOC SHIFT every week, Sahagun believes the story still has plenty of life left in its current form.

Of course, horror fans aren't giving up. They continue asking, hoping that one day they'll return to the world of NOC SHIFT. Whether that happens or not remains to be seen, but one thing is certain, the demand is there.

Six months after arriving on Tubi, NOC SHIFT continues proving that great suspense never goes out of style. It doesn't rely on nonstop jump scares or expensive special effects. Instead, it builds tension scene by scene, rewarding viewers who are willing to slow down and let the story unfold.

That is exactly why so many people compare it to The Blair Witch Project. It isn't because the movies are the same. It's because they both understand something that many modern horror films forget: sometimes the scariest moments are the quiet ones.

For Thomas Sahagun, that's exactly the kind of horror movie he wanted to make. And judging by the growing fanbase, the continued attention on Tubi, and the thousands of viewers still discovering the film six months later, NOC SHIFT has become much more than an independent horror.

By: Pink Moon Pictures

June 26, 2026