Unfriended (Rated C)
Cast: Shelley Hennig, Moses Storm, Renee Oldstead
Genre: Thriller, Horror
Dwight’s rating: 2.5 Stars

Technology is killing us!

That may be one of the messages you take away from the new thriller/horror “Unfriended”, a bizarre but compelling take on the tried-(or tired)-and-true teen spook genre.

In the movie, a teenager and her friends become the prey of an unknown online presence that wants revenge for a shaming video that caused a classmate to kill herself exactly one-year prior.

The timing of last week’s release of this movie is notable for at least two reasons. Firstly, yesterday (April 23) marked the 10-year anniversary of the posting of the very first YouTube video. This video-sharing website has become an omnipresent worldwide phenomenon, so ubiquitous that it’s almost unfathomable that it’s only been around for a decade.

In many ways — and probably for the most part — YouTube has been a good thing. As a television buff, it has been a fantastic way for me to watch famous episodes of classic TV shows that were on long before my time, or to re-watch shows from my childhood. Also, it’s one of the only ways to watch music videos these days, as MTV and VH1 have largely abandoned that format in favor of what will surely lead to the demise of civilization — Reality TV. It’s also a great learning tool, with “How To” videos in any category imaginable featured prominently.

And we can’t forget all those cute videos of puppies and kittens and babies doing adorable things.

On the other hand, YouTube, and other social media platforms like Facebook, have given far too many people behaving extremely badly much more than their 15 minutes of fame.

That brings up the other issue of timing. As social media has grown in the past decade, so too has the growth of “cyber bullying”. The posting of unflattering videos and photos of someone else has become rampant globally, and often with deadly consequences.

“Victims” are often teenagers. While someone who is being physically bullied might be able to get a respite when not in the direct presence of the bully, cyber bullying can be incessant, with potentially many thousands of people viewing, “liking”, or commenting on a video — especially one that’s gone viral — seemingly 24 hours a day. This sort of humiliation has led more than a few to commit suicide.

“Unfriended” addresses all of these issues in a fascinating manner. The entire movie takes place in real time with teenagers communicating through social media. The big players are largely all represented — Facebook, Skype, Apple’s iMessage service, and something that is apparently supposed to represent YouTube (though there’s an odd “dot” in the middle of the title”).

There is a remarkable sense of authenticity to it all, however. The dialogue feels age and era appropriate — which means as far away from Shakespeare as one can get and still be speaking English.

At times, it does indeed feel awkward, as we are essentially eavesdropping on these teens during their Skype group conversation. It gets particularly “pervy” when one of the characters (in a cast of relative unknowns and newcomers) decides to put on a striptease. Don’t worry! The actors are apparently largely in their early to mid-20s, so we won’t all be sent to prison for indulging in child porn — although I was quite concerned!

It can also be overwhelming as we watch the teens navigate between multiple social media platforms all at once — Skype convos, private Facebook messages, iMessage texts, web searches, online videos, while listening to music on a playlist! (Everything but homework!) But this is what many of us (not just teenagers) are doing these days. Seeing someone else do it on the big screen may make you question your sanity or whether the entire human race has now acquired ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder).

That we are able to follow along says quite a bit about this innovative production. Writer Nelson Greaves and Director Levan Gabriadze have crafted something that may not be as groundbreaking or shocking as “The Blair Witch Project”, but is just as captivating — although I do pray that we don’t see a wave of movies that take place with people communicating entirely online.

“Unfriended” is much less of a horror than a thriller, but it is a surprisingly effective thriller. We’re left on the edge-of-our-seat every time one of the characters clicks on a link, or is about to click on a link, or hesitates to click on a link. It’s amazing how much anticipation can be built when a “… ” appears on the chat screen, and you know someone is typing a message, and you’re left in silence wondering what it will say. (There’s a lot of reading to be done. So don’t forget your glasses!)

At one point when that unknown online presence has really ratcheted up the torture and pressure, the relationships of the teens begin to unravel, and everyone appears to be losing their minds. It is quite an exhilarating sight to behold! While not quite a 3-star film, “Unfriended” is a bit better than my two-and-a-half star rating suggests. (If only I had a 2 ¾ rating!)

Its methods are unconventional, but hopefully “Unfriended” will encourage conversations about these disturbing cyber bullying trends. It’s possible that you’ll see the teenagers in the film as horrible people — they do lots of drugs and drinking, are promiscuous and potty-mouthed, and if you are like any of these people, or even suspect your teen is like this, an intervention is definitely in order. But sadly, they are probably quite “normal” and average, and representative of not just Americans, but of Bahamians as well. Social media has also led to the even more rapid spread of cultural homogeneity.

We have so many examples in this country today of young people having unflattering videos exposed, and with judgmental ninnies adding further insult to injury, with their scathing commentaries. Far too many people will be able to relate to the revenge themes here.

But in the absence of revenge-seeking ghosts or beings, let’s hope more people will on their own think twice before whipping out a smartphone to begin recording video or audio of someone in distress, and posting that video online, instead of calling for help, and that more of us will focus on and partake in the positive uses for social media.

• Dwight Strachan is the host/producer of “ Morning Blend” on Guardian Radio. He is a television producer and writer, and an avid TV history and film buff. Email dwight@nasguard.com and follow him on twitter @morningblend969.

Photo: http://www.bisonbeat.net

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