Dare To Enter

This review contains spoilers.

Directed and written by Stephen Susco (The Grudge), Unfriended: Dark Web is the unanticipated sequel to the 2015 'hit' Unfriended [thanks to a low budget]. This instalment brings an entirely new cast into the cyberspace of Unfriended; Colin Woodell (The Originals), Andrew Lees (The Originals), Conor Del Rio (Level Up), Rebecca Rittenhouse (The Mindy Project), Betty Gabriel (Get Out) and Stephanie Nogueras (Switched at Birth) all star. "A teen comes into possession of a new laptop and soon discovers that the previous owner is not only watching him but will also do anything to get it back". Relegated to Blumhouse Tilt, is Dark Web a sequel Jason Blum regretted green-lighting as soon as it started filming?

The only thing that keeps Unfriended and Dark Web related is the use of a Skype call; they definitely are not siblings and are more like distant cousins. This was not the sequel I was expecting. I expected a derivative repeat of the first film with some new teens and a new mysterious entity. Dark Web ventures down a more realistic route, exploring the dangers of the internet. After watching Unfriended: Dark Web, every viewer will invest in a webcam cover. Although it is a long shot, could Dark Web suggest that Laura Barns is actually used as an alias for a Charon type figure? Other than this flawed suggestion, it is hard to directly link the two films. 

Unfriended: Dark Web's story unfolds in real-time, making a 92-minute film feel much longer. Anybody feeling bored does not even have to check their watch because the time is in the top-right-hand corner of the screen. This is an unavoidable flaw that both films in the series suffer from. Susco's script only scratches the surface; it is thinly written and does not spend any time explaining the twists and surprises. For example, Charon apparently predicted that the stolen laptop would get picked up by a group of naive young adults who would explore all of the computer's files, transfer $10 million worth of Bitcoin as ransom and attempt to expose the Circle. While all of this sounds really cool and clever, the fact that the laptop was found by a naive young adult who then proceeded to do all of the above is a little too convenient. On the surface though, Unfriended: Dark Web is surprising and appears to be intelligent. The final reveal that the audience watched the film from the perspective of a Charon's computer was not as impactful as Susco likely intended; I didn't even know that was the case until researching for this review. 

I hadn't seen a trailer or any footage before watching Unfriended: Dark Web and I think that made all of the killings even more brutal. Susco comes up with inventive ways to kill his characters. DJ Lexx (Savira Windyani) dies first. Her death is probably the least original (pushed off of a tall building) and it is unfortunate that one of the film's diverse characters is the first to die. Aj's (Del Rio) death is possibly the most unsettling; the Charon compiles previous footage of Aj with some clips of the night's Skype call and rings the police, making him sound like a terrorist. Aj's previously introduced extra-loud speakers are hacked to play the sound of a loading gun. Aj is killed by the police in the film's most unjust and brutal killing. Serena (Rittenhouse) has to choose between her fiance Nari (Gabriel) or her ill mother. Her indecisiveness leads to all three being killed; her mother's death was particularly disturbing. Damon (Woodell) is hung (seen it before). Matias's (Woodell) death is one of the film's few effective jump-scares. The audience knows his death is coming, but it is the waiting game that makes it so daunting. Aside from all of the brutal deaths, Unfriended: Dark Web features some pretty disturbing content. It is definitely a scarier and more intense film than the first. 

Unfriended: Dark Web is cemented by a bunch of solid performances. Considering the cast members are far from experienced, the acting in this film is very impressive. All eyes are on Colin Woodell who not only has the highest quality webcam out of the group but is also the film's protagonist. Woodell's role is quite demanding and he delivers. Woodell slowly progresses from normality to desperation. Despite his character not always doing the right thing, Woodell is always likeable. Whereas in the first film Shelley Hennig had to do all of the heavy-lifting, Woodell is surrounded by cast members who also deliver. The cast give performances that feel genuine and realistic; Dark Web never feels like a scripted Skype call. The cast all sell their deaths well; Rebecca Rittenhouse is especially impressive when her character decides between the two people she loves most. I was not familiar with any of the cast members before watching so maybe they are all just playing themselves, but I was fond of their performances. As a group, the cast convincingly reacts to and experiences the absurdities that are unfolding.

Unfriended: Dark Web maintains the first film's distinct style. Although the Skype chat wasn't exactly necessary this time for the story to unfold, I guess it is on-brand. Dark Web utilises the desktop more so than Unfriended; the characters not only explore the dark next ('The River') but use Spotify, Facebook (messenger and video chat), FaceTime, Skype, Google, Photoshop and a sign language video creator. Maybe if Dark Web had been the first film in the series, a bigger fan base would be around for the sequel. After Dark Web being relegated to Blumhouse Tilt (a segment for experimental and indie directors), I highly doubt that this franchise will return. It's a shame because Stephen Susco's vision is more ambitious and entertaining than Leo Gabriadze's.

A bad sequel, but a pretty solid film. Unfriended: Dark Web shares little in common with the first film and Stephen Susco takes audiences into a completely different direction. It is a tad better than its predecessor but suffers from the same flaws - a slow pace, cheap visuals and a thinly explained plot. Susco, to his credit, does try something different and unexpected. Colin Woodell leads an impressive (by low-budget horror standards) cast. Unfriended: Dark Web is an intense and brutal horror that gives genuine reason to fear technology.