Unfriended: The Social Media Horror Film

Social Screamia

flicksandbits.com

So there’s this now. A horror film based around social media.

Unfriended is an upcoming horror film scheduled for release later this year in April.

From what I can tell based from the trailer, it looks to be a combination of the Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity and a drunken stint on Facebook where you post and like all the things that you really shouldn't.

The plot revolves around a girl who has a video taken of her which consists of her getting a bit too wasted at a party and embarrassing herself. Never soil yourself at a party, you’ll never live it down. Unfortunately for her, the nasty folk uploaded the video and everyone at her school sees which then ends up in her being shamed by the entire school. The outcome? She commits suicide.

Sometime later, all the people who could have uploaded the video are having a Skype conference call to organise their super American holidays when a mysterious caller keeps getting in on the call. Murder, mayhem and failed Skype blocks ensue.  

Take a look at the trailer here: 

The story which is inspired by the numerous sad stories of people who take their lives after being the victims of bullying and cyberbullying has already come under criticism for trying to make a film revolving about social media. Apparently that’s just not cool and shows something wrong with the younger generation. Obviously this criticism is fielded by the well versed film buffs who have seen a few Kurosawa films 50 times and have to tell us all about it.

I don’t see the issue of using social media as the basis for a film. You should be able to make a film with anything as its basis. Its content will let us judge whether or not it was worthwhile.  

Unfriended was written by Nelson Greaves and directed by Levan Gabriadze. It’s both of their first projects, so naturally it’s going to look a tad rough around the edges with their lack of budget.

Interestingly enough, the early reviews that have been coming in are actually quite positive.

‘This is a movie for savvy Internet kids, and it feels savvy itself. Unlike so many other movies that make this attempt and feel ancient, Cybernatural feels current.’ Said Badass Digests Meredith Borders.

So far Unfriended is sitting on a 7.3 IMDb rating. But if you didn't already know, early IMDb ratings are just a tad temperamental. But still, 7.3 is better than 3.3 for now.  

So if you fancy getting yourself a bit spooked and you don’t want to close down Twitter or Facebook, check out Unfriended.

It’ll give you your fix for both.

Tom Welby

Tom has just graduated from University of East London in Creative and Professional Writing. He loves writing and is currently interning as a content writer hoping to go further. His other loves include Arnold Schwarzenegger films and his dog. Follow him @TomAtSMF

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