Imagine being trapped in a house where every move you make is watched, and the only way to feel safe is to utter a bizarre phrase—'dooba dooba.' This is the chilling premise of Dooba Dooba, an indie horror film that turns a seemingly ordinary babysitting gig into a psychological nightmare. Released by Dark Sky Films and now available on VOD, this found footage masterpiece is not for the faint of heart. But here's where it gets controversial—while some praise its minimalist approach, others argue it’s too slow-burn for mainstream horror fans. Will it creep under your skin or leave you cold? That’s for you to decide.
Shot entirely through the lens of in-home security cameras, Dooba Dooba leans heavily into the analog horror trend popularized on YouTube. This unique perspective traps the audience in a fixed, voyeuristic gaze, heightening the tension as the story unfolds. The film follows Amna, a babysitter who expects a quiet night watching Monroe, a 16-year-old girl haunted by her brother’s murder. But Monroe isn’t your typical teenager—she’s deeply traumatized and lives in a house wired with cameras, demanding Amna announce her presence with the eerie phrase 'dooba dooba' whenever she moves. What starts as a strange rule quickly becomes a suffocating ritual, blurring the lines between safety and surveillance.
And this is the part most people miss—the horror isn’t just in the supernatural; it’s in the unsettling dynamics between Amna and Monroe. As the night progresses, Amna realizes escaping might not be an option, while Monroe grows increasingly attached in ways that feel disturbingly wrong. The film’s tension is carried brilliantly by Amna Vegha, whose performance amplifies the unease of being constantly watched. With a cast including Betsy Sligh, Winston Haynes, Erin O’Meara, and Billy Hulsey, the story delves into themes of trauma, isolation, and the dark side of protection.
Written and directed by Ehrland Hollingsworth, Dooba Dooba marks his second feature after Homestead. The film has already made waves on the festival circuit, premiering at the Nightmares Film Festival and screening at FrightFest in the UK. Early reviews draw comparisons to Skinamarink, highlighting its minimalist approach and slow-building dread. But unlike jump-scare horrors, Dooba Dooba crawls under your skin, leaving you questioning the nature of fear itself.
The official synopsis teases: ‘Nearly a decade after her brother’s murder, 16-year-old Monroe still needs a babysitter. Amna comes to babysit Monroe and learns that not only is she being watched by security cameras, but she needs to say ‘dooba dooba’ whenever she moves throughout the house to let Monroe know it’s her. As the night goes on, Amna becomes increasingly unnerved and Monroe increasingly attached...’
Here’s the controversial question: Is Dooba Dooba a genius exploration of modern paranoia, or does its slow pace risk losing viewers? Let us know in the comments. Whether you love it or hate it, one thing’s for sure—this film will leave you thinking twice about those security cameras in your own home.
