Unfriended

Released:  April 17^th, 2015

Rated:  R

Distributor:  Universal Pictures

Starring:  Shelly Hennig, Renee Olstead, Courtney Halverson, Jacob Wysocki, Will Peltz, Moses Jacob Storm

Directed by:  Levan Gabriadze

Written by:  Nelson Greaves

Personal Bias Alert:  went in with low expectations, not a fan of social media

6 of 10

            Gimmick horror films are one of the most derided genres.  Unfriended certainly falls into that category, as the entire film is shot like you’re watching the main character’s computer screen.  Endless programs are flipped between, but Skype is the main landing point, with Facebook also a significant player.  Admittedly, even I thought this sounded awful, so when it quickly turned into a real movie, complete with well thought out framing, themes, and a solid relationship at its core, I was as surprised as everyone else.

            Kicking things off with the suicide video of teenager Laura Barns (Heather Sossaman) and a sexually playful chat between main couple Blaire (Shelly Hennig) and Mitch (Moses Jacob Storm), Unfriended subtly reassures audiences that, despite its inventive setup, it still delivers traditional horror beats.  The combo of violence and sex right at the beginning, a horror convention so expected that it’s often played with a wink and a nod to the audience, is skillfully conducted here.  The mouse hovers over the suicide video before hitting play, a technique that not only builds tension (only in our grimmest moods do we watch death videos) but also gives a look into Blaire’s conflicted mind.  We know throughout the rest of the film that Blaire has these images rattling around in her brain, even when she’s teasing Mitch or curtailing a petty fight between her friends.  This isn’t the sort of thing you easily let go.

            Our online habits in general are what’s in question here, and Unfriended has many subtle and not-so-subtle nods to these questions.  Perhaps its biggest strength is how encompassing its message is.  It avoids simple indictments of particularly nasty habits like trolling or thoughtless comments, instead choosing to examine the entirety of our online presence as a potentially timeless record of ourselves.  Your Facebook page and the myriad of postings you make online will long outlive you, and do you really want your ancestors to see how bitchy you were as a teenager?

            However commendable Unfriended’s message is, it’s still primarily a horror film, and it’s these elements that fall flat.  There is tension, but all of it derives from Blaire and her friend’s interactions after someone shows up and torments them using Laura’s old accounts.  Whether or not it’s actually Laura haunting them never becomes very interesting or scary.  The big horror moments where something attacks the characters are so obviously shaky, low-budget tricks that it all looks incredibly fake.  The fact that the attacks aren’t even original or particularly scary makes it even worse, showing the writer and director’s shortcomings on knowing how to actually scare people.  It’s not the gruesome moments that freak us out; it’s how quickly these ‘friends’ turn on each other.

            Setting the bar so low may skew this film’s ratings a bit higher than it deserves.  This is a film that selected an incredibly restrictive setup and executed it about as well as one can, but it’s held back by that premise and lacking of real horror.  It’s the surprisingly clear message and solid acting makes Unfriended a delightful surprise.

Other Notes:

Ø  It’s very smart how they directed the eye with Blaire’s cursor.

Ø  So I actually laughed at how bad one of the attacks looked, and it’s one they put in the trailer.

Ø  I like that the guy who was supposed to be drunk was drinking wine, like he’s such a sophisticated teenage alcoholic.