High school friends gather on Skype call, where they encounter the ghost of an abusive student whom they initially harass. What begins as innocent harassment quickly escalates into bloodshed and suicide attempts.
Director Levan Gabriadze uses formal ingenuity to exploit computer technology’s quirks and glitches in ways that frighten as much as they amuse moviegoers; even tech savvy viewers may feel discomfited as this film unfolds.
The Story
Unfriended was one of the earliest horror movies to introduce viewers to a unique approach to terror on-screen. While its innovative use of social media and online chat programs may have seemed like an odd choice at the time, Unfriended remains a worthy addition to horror cinema – with some truly chilling scenes and managed to keep audiences on edge with its constant use. Unfriended also serves as a warning against cyberbullying by showing how bullying can turn into a cycle where victims become bullies themselves while bullies become victims themselves.
The story follows a group of high school friends as they become tormented by a Skype account belonging to a recently deceased classmate named “billie227.” She calls upon them with games designed to force confessions for everything from infidelity to sexual assault; making viewers jump out in fear! Quite an impressive horror flick indeed with plenty of jump scares sure to give viewers chills!
What elevates this movie is how realistic it appears. Unfortunately, its only true weakness lies in relying on cheap jump scares and computer jargon but this does not diminish the experience altogether.
Screenwriter Nelson Greeves and director Leo Gabriadze do an outstanding job of using modern software to craft an engaging teen slasher film. From viewing Blaire Lily’s search history on Google to browsing her Facebook and YouTube pages, viewers get glimpses into her life that break up some of the typical found footage exposition.
Though its plot may be slightly thin, the film successfully creates suspense through social media and chat programs like Skype. While not original in concept, its use of tension-building tools makes the viewer feel as though they are on video call with the killer; scenes are well filmed and acting is excellent; especially from Shelley Hennig as Blaire. While violence in this movie may not be extreme, when presented it makes an impressive statement and leaves you on edge until the climax.
The Cast
This movie boasts an impressive cast, especially considering that most of it takes place on a computer screen. Starring well-known actors and actresses such as Shelley Hennig, Moses Storm, Renee Olstead Courtney Halverson Jacob Wysocki Heather Sossaman this story follows a group of friends haunted by the spirit of an ex-classmate who committed suicide due to bullying on social media and was haunted by her ghost until they took action against it themselves.
Horror fans and critics alike have given this film high marks, with many calling it one of the best new horror releases in recent memory. With its original take on ghost horror using Skype technology to tell its tale, this film proves itself incredibly captivating.
Unfriended’s execution is absolutely masterful. By placing viewers directly within a group video call, Unfriended creates an unforgettable and horrifying experience that feels completely real to viewers. Additionally, filmmakers used other applications such as Facebook and Chat Roulette for enhanced realism.
Incantation was released as an internet horror movie in 2015. This Taiwanese horror flick follows a mother trying to lift a curse placed upon her daughter and family through an online video show, while also boasting an excellent cast and some chilling scares.
Fatal Attraction, Misery and The Blair Witch Project are among the many skype horror films available, while Happy Birthday Hannah follows a YouTuber visiting a haunted hotel and was produced by an indie filmmaker looking to do something different than traditional found footage horror flicks.
V/H/S/94 is the fourth main entry in Simon Barrett and Timo Tjahjanto’s V/H/S found footage horror anthologies franchise. This movie features shorts that interconnect to form one larger narrative; written and directed by Timo, V/H/S/94 makes an incredible addition to their franchise.
The Trailer
The trailer for a new Skype horror movie has just been released and it looks terrifying. The film centers around a group of high school friends haunted by the spirit of their classmate who committed suicide after being bullied online, featuring Shelley Hennig, Moses Storm, Renee Olstead Will Peltz Jacob Wysocki and Courtney Halverson – touted as the first full-length feature film told entirely on a computer screen.
This film has become one of the latest entries into an increasingly popular genre: computer screen horror (also referred to as screenlife films). Unfriended was the breakout hit of 2014; telling the tale of five teenagers whose Skype chat with an intruder becomes an all-out nightmare.
Talk to Me is an impressive thriller film that pushes it one step further by showing viewers exactly what the characters are experiencing through their laptop webcams, using every glitch of modern tech as tools of terror, making the experience all the more realistic and frightening.
Not only does the movie’s clever use of familiar services make it worth watching, but the soundtrack adds another reason to do so. Packed with suspenseful crescendos and whispered whispers reminiscent of horror classics, plus notification sounds that become alarming thumps and clicks when things become scary, this soundscape makes a lasting impression.
Zoom features some incredible scares and special effects, made all the more frightening by their low budget production. However, its greatest strength lies in addressing serious topics like cyberbullying and social media addiction head on.
On Tuesday, the first trailer for the movie The Martian was unveiled, ahead of its July 28 release date. Already there has been much discussion as to whether or not its narrative is based on real events; despite some claims to the contrary, it remains clearly fictionalized.
Overall
Recent Japanese horror films like Kairo and Pulse pioneered a subgenre known as the “screenlife film.” Instead of taking place in traditional settings, their action takes place online or mobile device screens; naturally these movies can be quite creepy and disturbing; one such breakout film in 2014 called Unfriended featured an unnerving tale about high school friends whose Skype chat becomes haunted by an angry former classmate seeking revenge on her death.
Unfriended’s unique gimmick is masterfully executed, creating an extraordinary sense of tension that would otherwise be difficult to create in more conventional settings. Online communication delays create otherworldly glitch-riddled shadows on-screen while barely legible messages from their stalker give victims a helplessness rarely found in modern slashers – an effect which distinguishes Unfriended among its genre peers. This brilliant trick distinguishes Unfriended above most others of its kind.
Not to be outdone by its predecessors, this movie does not disappoint with a powerful story and relatable characters who manage to keep viewers intrigued despite being rather unlikeable themselves. Pacing is excellent; the movie doesn’t feel long in any way at all! Unfortunately, its ending disappoints after all its buildup.
Notable about this film is how realistically it portrays the virtual reality world of the internet. Filmmakers used different cameras, with GoPros being their go-to option to capture performances by actors and mimic how characters would move within virtual spaces; plus it allowed filmmakers to capture sound of characters’ voices too!
Unfriended is an ideal film to watch with someone on a romantic date night; its more gory scenes may make it too scary for some, yet its overall effect remains powerful. While some viewers might find it too frightening for kids, I believe Unfriended deserves viewing nonetheless.
