i-Lived

'i-Lived' is a cyber-psychological thriller with minimal shades of gore-horror. The story centers around Josh (Jeremiah Watkins), a tech vlogger who specializes in app reviews. As part of his routine, he comes across a self-help app called 'i-Lived' that asks its users to input the issues and problems that they face, for which remedies are provided in the form of a series of pop-up tasks.

First things first, this isn't the first movie that tries to showcase the apparent monstrosities hidden in the internet world. Therefore, the narrative treatment at the very least needed to be newfangled. Does 'i-Lived' keep its end of the bargain on that front? A resounding NO! 'Nerve' is a similar movie that has, to an extent, emerged a triumph in terms of crafting of visuals and character establishment (I think it's definitely 'watchable' even with its sugary connotations). The language-style (and gimmicks) used for the vlog recordings doesn't suit a tech-reviewer at all (forget professional, not even freelance!). Josh walks and talks like a high-on-energy-drink stand-up comedian in his videos, while he's more of an introvert (or ambivert) in reality.

Every little aspect in the movie has an artificial quality to it. The app, which is supposed to be the 'next big thing' in the tech world, has a shabby design and looks dated. The notion of smart- phone users never going through license agreements during installation and usage of these apps (and blindly click 'Yes to all') is stemmed from remarkable thinking (and I wish that had been put to the test more!). Unlike Josh's unfunny puns in his videos, the real fun begins when he starts to accomplish those unusual tasks set against the requests that he makes in the app. Josh soon beds a wealthy + goodlooking chick by the name of Greta (Sarah Power); his online following displays a marked growth; he lands a job with a large tech conglomerate; his sick mom miraculously shows improvement - all with the supposed help of the app.

None of the characters other than Josh are fully developed - in fact, some of them seem like tools placed deliberately into the film to complement the tasks required to be done, as per the app. Greta turns out to be mere eye-candy throughout, although one'd expect her character to be focal to the proceedings. Nope, never happens. Even the Filipino friend: the relevance of this character is by and large, minimal. Things go steadily downhill when Khalfoun lends the latter half of the movie a ghastly flavor. The thrills offered are barely enough, the horror almost absent (where's the creepiness? hint: 'Unfriended'). A couple of dream sequences sought to intrigue but even they didn't leave the lasting impression that they should have.

The message the film tries to convey is all too relevant for the current generation but it's the sloppy execution that acts as buzz- kill. The shock value and stakes for the characters needed to be a lot higher than what's unveiled in 'i-Lived'.

Verdict: Disappointing!

I was a bit skeptical, due to low ratings,but decided to watch as I thought the storyline was interesting. It did not disappoint a bit! The story is unique, the main character is fun to watch as he seems real. We haven't had movies with similar stories for a while and I definitely found this one very interesting.

Acting was pretty good too. Maybe not the best,but I've seen much much worse so this was also a plus for the movie.

I also liked the camera work. It was slightly different than usual. It almost seemed "modern" and new. Not sure if that makes sense.

Overall, I was impressed and I think this movie deserves a really good scores. Certainly there are many blockbusters that don't even have 1/10th of what this movie has. Though I guess in this day and age, people want action and don't want to think and this story makes you think about your actions and consequences.

This was a fantastic concept that was very well executed especially considering you didn't have a huge Hollywood budget.

The newcomer cast did a great job building the suspense taking us on an intense journey into a man's Mental unraveling at the hands of this phone app. Watching this film makes us realize how attached we are to our phones, and how we are living as voyeurs watching each other's lives online. Be careful what you wish for and read the user agreement. Great job Franck Khalfoun excellent as always. Rewatch the movie, and watch the videos closely, very creepy stuff.

Enjoy!

The opening shot is a pair of vacant eyes and the sound of flatlining. Except Franck Khalfoun's follow-up to Maniac isn't some desperately moody and morose slow-burn horror, but a swift, darkly comic psychological thriller with ultra-modern themes. Khalfoun is writer, editor, producer and director, and his control of the material shows – up to a point, anyway.

i-Lived itself is a fictional app designed to help you achieve your life goals. Type in your ambition, and then follow the instructions that the app churns out. It gets into the hands of Josh (Jeremiah Watkins), a tech vlogger who's trying to get his app review show off the ground. His videos are convincingly abrasive, and packed with amusing narrative references which appear goofy but are loaded with relevance ("Are you proud of me, Dad?" He's really not). Josh is shy and awkward IRL but he's confident on camera.

When Josh aspires to woo a girl named Greta (Sarah Power), the app advises he learn to cook, dance, read poetry etc. The strongest section of the story is when we watch Josh attempting to manufacture this perfect personality for himself, in order to appeal to his prey. It plays into the solipsistic fantasy that modern technology can evoke. But then the app starts instructing him to perform more sinister, criminal acts. Is Josh a pawn in someone else's sick game? Or is his bona fide shadow side being given an outlet through this virtual observer?

The first half of the film contains many thought-provoking ideas. There's something here about the way it is practically possible nowadays to Google-whack our way to social approval. Also, there are themes about online identity: One way to retain and increase popularity, for example, is through increasingly extreme content.

It's when Khalfoun segues into horror that his grip on the high concept starts to loosen. Visually the ideas are still there, and there are some half decent sub-Lynchian dream-states. But Khalfoun's attempts at melding fantasy and reality – thus supposedly drawing us into Josh's mental decline – come across as annoyingly muddled more than devilishly ambiguous.

Josh himself is well played by Watkins, who in his gawkiness and intensity reminds me of a younger Adrien Brody. It's a classic case of a lead character whom we may not like as such but with whom we can empathise, and a large part of this is thanks to Watkins' performance, which has nuance and range.

I was slightly disappointed by the visualisation of the app itself. For something so supposedly cutting edge it looks distinctly cheap and 2000s. Which brings me to a unique added "bonus": You can actually download the i-Lived app to your smartphone, which pings you pop-ups throughout the film. It's an idea which is both neat and alarming; a gimmick specific to this film, one hopes, rather than the future of movie-watching.

Perhaps you may feel that i-Lived is worth it simply for this innovative feature. But aside from that, it's a solidly entertaining movie which manages to be both very relevant (in its subject matter) whilst also niche (in its structure and style). Its black humour may not be for everyone, and the drift into surrealism definitely won't be for everyone. But as far as the tech-horror movement goes, it's a fine entry into the canon.

Cool concept, terrible execution.

Bad acting.

Bad cinematics.

Bad sound direction.

Bad atmosphere.

Just Bad Overall.

Nothing more to say. Don't waste your time.

Youtubers don't act like that.

2/10.