Unfriended (2015) | Movie Review

Nothing terrifies me more than a horror movie centered around idiotic teenagers and some random gimmick. Oh sure, occasionally you will get a Blair Witch Project or even the first V/H/S, but more often you end up with bland borefests and knock-offs (i.e., the sequels to both of those films) that suck every last drop of life out of the genre. Make no mistake, Unfriended is a gimmick movie. Furthermore, this time the gimmick works.

What is the gimmick exactly? Well, how about an entire film told via one, very long, Skype call? That’s right. If you have ever had a 90 minute call with your parents and visualized their demise through the viewing window, this is the film for you. Likewise, if you have ever endured a call with someone who refuses to hang up, and you just wish someone would pluck them from existence so you could get back to House of Cards, get to the theater immediately.

What makes Unfriended surprising is just how well director Leo Gabriadze manages to incorporate modern technology into the story as an almost fully-realized character, propelling the story forward in imaginative ways. Skype, texting, YouTube, Facebook, and countless other methods of current social media are utilized here, and each seem to have a proper place in the film. I am still amazed that each of those companies would allow their brands to be part of a micro-budgeted horror film such as this one, especially one where their target audience are dispatched in terrorizing ways.

What brings all of this together is a very basic story: One year ago, Laura took her life due to the public shaming she endured after she partook a bit too much at a local party. Does shatting one’s self warrant suicide? That is a debate for another day. On the anniversary of her death, six friends begin a typical party chat, only to be joined by a mysterious character referring to itself as…Laura.

At first, everyone believes this to be some random hacker, out to avenge their dead friend. As the call progresses, and numerous secrets and violent ends are met, it becomes apparent there is much more to this ominous caller than meets the eye. Clues begin building up, the various roles possibly played in Laura’s downfall are unleashed, and serious bandwidth tolerance is put to the ultimate test.

With some decent performances and genuine scares, Unfriended is a clever, fun horror film that you will only need to see once. As enjoyable as it is, after you observe the often brilliant implementations of technology as a storytelling device, there is little reason I can fathom to return. I can, however, promise you will leave the theater questioning your own slavish nature to 1s and 0s. As it turns out, it just might kill you.

Starring Heather Sossaman, Matthew Bohrer, Courtney Halverson
Written by Nelson Greaves
Directed by Leo Gabriadze

Aaron Peterson
The Hollywood Outsider