#Horror

#Horror is a unique, genre-blending film that brings together the world of cyberbullying with the classic 'slasher' style of horror movies. Leading the ensemble cast are Sadie Seelert, Haley Murphy, and Bridget McGarry – all portraying adolescent characters who find themselves straddling the perilous world of technology and terror.

The film, written and directed by actress and filmmaker Tara Subkoff, endeavors to highlight the increasing issue of online harassment in the era of internet dominance. Set against the backdrop of a picturesque Connecticut town during the wintertime, #Horror forms its narrative around the behaviors of a group of middle-school girls, constantly glued to their electronic devices.

Protagonist Sam, played convincingly by Seelert, is invited to an exclusive sleepover at the luxurious home of Sophia, portrayed by McGarry. The others at the sleepover - Cat, Georgie, and Ava, played by Murphy, Blue Lindberg, and Mina Sundwall respectively - make up the quintet of 12-year-olds. But as it is often the case, ‘friendship’ at this age comes tethered with secrecy, betrayal, and subtle sabotage. The portrayal of these dynamics adds a layer of authenticity and vulnerability to the characters, thereby amplifying the horrors that eventually transpire.

As the narrative progresses, it exhibits the pernicious side-effects of their obsessive relationships with social media, inflated egos, and the 'like' culture. Their entire world is filtered through the lens of a high-drama social media game, and their worth is measured in follower counts and like buttons. This game turns hazardous when, through the movie, the girls become the target of online bullying while simultaneously being stalked by an unknown entity. This dangerous scenario sucks the girls deeper into the realms of cyber terror, where emojis become death sentences and online popularity equates survival.

The real-life inspiration behind the movie, as specified by Subkoff, came from witnessing some children's indiscrete usage of social media and its ensuing after-effects. She wonderfully marries the theme of technological menace with teen drama, catering to a variety of movie audiences. To expose the stark isolation caused by excessive screen time, Subkoff effectively uses the eerie, isolated mansion, the chilling winter, and a desolate snowscape. These symbolic details augment the horror quotient of the movie; they also address the significant contemporary issue of cyberbullying.

The movie's depiction of horror isn't conventional. Instead of the traditional surprise scares, the horror element in this film comes from its biting social commentary. Packed with high intensity, the girls' precarious situation keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats while underlining the dangerous actualities of internet culture.

Technologically savvy viewers will appreciate the creative and forthright use of social media interfaces, making it a visually exhilarating experience. The hauntingly psychedelic visuals and hues used throughout the film further add an aura of impending dread. Iris, a wealthy art dealer and Sophia's mother, played by Chloë Sevigny, for instance, brings an unsettling contrast to the otherwise innocent setting, with her house filled with contemporary artworks, creating a suffocating and disorienting ambiance. This complicated palette of the setting creates a parallel to the intricate web of social complexities the film showcases.

The acting is quite commendable, with each actor conveying a believable portrayal of their characters. The film is peppered with veterans like Sevigny and Timothy Hutton, delivering strong performances that substantiate the unnerving narrative. The convincing performances of the young actors are successful in breeding a sense of discomfort among the audience.

The movie's soundtrack and sound design also contribute significantly to #Horror's overall disturbing atmosphere. Eerie music and disruptive sounds taunt the audience throughout the film, echoing the constant electronic notifications the characters receive, adding to the foreboding ambiance of the narrative.

In the end, although marketed largely as a horror movie, the film goes beyond the standard tropes of the genre. What #Horror does, with its absurdity and the ghastly reality it is set in, is to bring to light the terror of modern technology when it's misused.

While not a traditional horror film strictly speaking, #Horror does a commendable job embracing the genre's elements to communicate larger societal issues. It paints a chilling, yet honest picture of today's youth navigating their lives in this digital era.