Algorithm
Where to Watch Algorithm
In the 2014 movie Algorithm, directed by Jonathan Schiefer, viewers are invited on a thrilling ride into the world of coding, hacking, and the concurrent domination that digital information holds over personal and societal spheres. The primary protagonist, Will, played convincingly by Raphael Barker, is an arrogant, maverick freelance computer hacker who lives in the enthralling realm of cyberspace, a world regulated by rules he transcends.
Crafting an intelligent narrative around themes of privacy, freedom, and control, Algorithm exposes the presumed borders of the virtual world and how they interweave with the real world. It's a captivating exploration of what occurs when these two realms collide, starring Barker along with Keith Barletta, and Julie Ceballos.
Will, a solitary figure used to living on society's fringes, habitually operates under the cover of night and views the world exclusively from the lens of his computer screen. Will's work usually has him infiltrating websites illegally for private clients. However, rather than searching for monetary gain, Will appears to be driven by the intellectual thrill that hacking provides.
The inciting incident arises when Will stumbles upon a strange, secretive link that descends from the standard routes of exploitation into an unfathomably colossal and unusual vortex. Traversing this path further, he uncovers an encrypted software that he soon comprehends to be a classified chat program of the National Security Agency (NSA), plunging his existence into uncharted territory.
The pursuit of this uncovered secret solicits the attention of the keepers of this clandestine world, who swiftly respond, triggering a series of events that thrust our protagonist and his world into utter chaos. As this happens, he generates a connection with his unsuspected ally, the young yet talented hacker Jeremy, played by Keith Barletta. Coincidentally, he also meets the civic-minded bookstore owner, who becomes his love interest, played by Julie Ceballos.
As Will becomes entangled in this suspense-filled web of cyber cat-and-mouse, we witness his bold defiance against the powers that aim to control him. His fierce determination to undermine these forces while simultaneously exploiting these digital vulnerabilities forms the essence of the plot. The film instructor viewers a captivating battle where the line between the predator and prey are often blurred.
Algorithm is not just a regular hacker thriller but a compelling commentary on the tensions of our digital age. It vividly paints a grim reality where unregulated power and state surveillance tools can compromise individual rights and privacy.
This movie will particularly appeal to tech enthusiasts and those with a leaning towards coding and hacking. However, even without a tech background, viewers will still be pulled deep into the thrilling narrative and complex characters. The movie goes beyond hacking tech jargon and taps into universal human themes such as freedom, privacy, and the struggle against oppressive powers.
Schiefer's direction excellently navigates the thin line between tech heavy jargon and coherent storytelling, creating a film that is informative without being overwhelming. Moreover, the performances are highly praiseworthy as well, particularly Barker, who wonderfully brings out the multifaceted nature of his character.
In the sleek cityscape backdrop, the narrative steadily intensifies, transforming a battle of codes into an enthralling drama where each decision can have dire consequences. The cinematography excellently complements the narrative, offering the viewers a visual treat. The pulsating background music adds another layer to the suspense, making Algorithm a must-watch.
In a nutshell, Algorithm is a thought-provoking and electrifying exploration of the encoding world, where secrets don't remain secret for long and where privacy is a commodity that everyone cannot afford. It's a journey that takes you behind the screen of your PC into a world where information is the ultimate power, and those who control its flow are the puppet masters behind the curtain.
Algorithm is a Thriller, Crime, Drama movie released in 2014. It has a runtime of 90 Critics and viewers have rated it mostly poor reviews, with an IMDb score of 4.7..