Spree

The problem with this film - a take on social media and likes - is that it tries to pack too many issues into its screen time. Its other problem is is plit-screen or multi-screens many times and, on top of this, provides running social media commentary as well. It's just all too much to take in.

What this film sets out to try and do has been done a lot better; for example the Black Mirror episode "Nodedive".

Five stars for trying and for having one or two laughs.

Maybe I'm too old for this film but I didn't like it at all. Hated all the characters. Felt like they were all written by a 15 yr old. If you can relate to any of the people in this movie, then you're probably too young to be watching this movie. I just couldn't wait for it to end. Maybe im just too old to be able to understand any of the motivations or to believe that any of these caricatures could really exist. It was watchable but that's about it. Joe Keery did the best with what he was given.

So much more than a social media parody of the desire to be popular and quite likely just mimicking events in the future that will become increasingly gruesome in this disposable and voyeuristic world.

Fact and fiction spiralled and entwined within shades of black and white from zenith to nadir, switched on to off, between one and zero, from beginning to end - there's no black and white, only shades.

The dialog and acting is corny and amateur at times, but the premise alone is enough to make this one watchable. "Found footage" has always been my genre, and the idea of dash-cam footage mixed with video streaming is a pretty fresh idea for the genre. The acting isn't going to win any Oscars, but our lead Joe Keery does a decent job, David Arquette's presence is a welcome addition and also sort of kitschy within the horror genre, but Sasheer Zamata really steals the show here. The film is sort of confined to it's medium at times, and the middle of the film drags just a bit, but there are some notable scenes, memorable kills, and fun to be had. Not really "horror" at all; but a fun direction for this sort of social commentary. Watchable.

SPREE ----- 6/10.

Not gonna lie, I have aged out of the live-streaming demographic; so this out-of-the-woodwork film was a genuinely pleasant surprise.

"Spree" is going for satire on the empty pursuit of followers and the movie nails it. Joe Keery really brings this goofy kid to life; his desperation echoes that of Patrick Bateman (with some nice "Nightcrawler" sociopathy thrown in), clearly trying too hard to build that social media brand. His performance here is an eye-grabber, and I do hope that it helps broaden his appeal.

I quite enjoyed myself and found something much deeper than the marketing had implied. Keery's great in the role and it's evident that that plenty of thought and effort went into this. It's darkly funny, it's twisted and I absolutely had to see how all of this would end.