Review: Unfriended

Unfriended may just be the most uncinematic film ever made. The entire film takes place on one computer screen. This gimmick is at times inspired but often it limits what can be done with this clever premise.

One of the central reason that Unfriended isn't total successful despite some solid moments is that it doesn't know where to develop the storyline. A painfully small amount of time is spent setting up Laura Barns, a young girl who was ridiculed by the main characters online and committed suicide as a result. The Skype session that is the film, takes place on the anniversary. The filmmakers clearly want us to judge these teens for the bullying they have done and relish in their punishment. Strangely though, the film is populated with moments that argue we should care about a few of these mean teens and that confuses the enjoyment of watching them die.

Despite this confusion, the film generates some good moments both in the banter among the teens and in the scares. As mentioned, the premise of a ghost using all of our internet secrets to haunt and torment is a strong one. The best moments play off this. One scene cleverly uses embarrassing photos to create a sense of the ghosts capabilities. 

The subtext of the film is relevant and interesting, beware of what you do on the internet cause it will come back to haunt you. Its a shame that isn't used for more creepy moments regarding the invasion of privacy. The adherence to such a limiting technical structure for the film, a real-time Skype call, causes the proceedings to feel clunky. There are moments where actors feel like they are waiting for their cue to click something. Hearing that the film was shot in one take reveals that while this is impressive, the seam show often in the film.

Overall there are good ideas in Unfriended but the execution lacks passion and a sense for characters. The movie is fun in parts and a chore in others.

3/5