Had a very curious experience watching the new horror movie sequel Unfriended: Dark Web. Unfriended was a decent little horror movie from a couple years ago that was told from the perspective of someone’s monitor during an extended Skype chat. That movie was about bullying and the ghost of a dead girl come back for revenge via group chat. This new film is also presented from the computer’s POV but now involves a group chat and techie murderers operating from the Dark Web. In other words, it’s kind of like CSI: Cyber… beware the INTERNET, YO!
The reason I had a curious experience is that I rather liked this movie in that I found it suspenseful and disturbing. But I didn’t have fun with it… I was actually felt bad when it ended. This is curious because this SHOULD be another schlocky, hokey, terrible, no good cheap jump scare horror flick. It’s got all the signs of being one – unknown cast, low-budget found footage presentation, selfish, argumentative characters, etc. But, here’s the thing… I somehow liked the characters and, even if sometimes there was overacting, I liked the actors. This cheap, shlocky movie made me care about its dumb cast enough that when bad things happened to them, I felt bad.
This seems obvious though, right? Movies want you to like characters and feel for them. But most movies fail utterly at that, especially the cheap jump scare kinds. But something about this movie got to me. I’m not sure if it was more likable characters, a more realistic scenario (no ghosts), the director, or what. And the thing is, I’m willing to believe no on else will have the same reaction… most people will probably think this is another generic, run-of-the-mill suspense film.
The basic idea is that a guy buys a used latptop off Craig’s List and uses it for a weekly video Skype call with his friends. While playing Cards Against Humanity, he discovers the laptop’s hard drive is full… he finds over 900 gb of disturbing videos. And then the owner of the laptop Facebooks messages him… return my laptop or I kill your girlfriend. Don’t tell your Skype friends or call the cops or I’ll kill your girlfriend. I’m watching you.
The bad guys are Dark Web hackers who wardrive for open IP cameras to find kidnapping victims. They then use bitcoin and an old BBS to sell what evil things they will do to the women they capture. It’s a pretty typical “BEWARE DA HAXORS!” message from the mid 90s. Yet… I can’t help but admit it worked on me.
I could be wrong. This could be a generic, terrible movie and you’ll think I’m crazy for saying it’s good. The only good thing about this is: ain’t nobody gonna see this movie but me so it hardly matters what I think. But, on the off chance you do see it, just keep in mind I say its good but it’s not fun… I was bothered by it. Usually if a movie makes me feel anything, it’s a recommendation. This time… I dunno.
Score: 84