Ratter

Set in the heart of modern-day New York City, Ratter is a feature-length thriller, directed and written by Branden Kramer. Released in 2015, this psychological thriller is built around themes concerning the frightening limits and extents of technology and privacy invasion.

Ratter stars the talented Ashley Benson, known for her notable performances in the popular TV series 'Pretty Little Liars', who beautifully portrays the character of Emma Taylor. She is a young and independent graduate student who relocates to New York City, embracing the challenges that come with living alone in the culture-rich metropolis. Benson's performance successfully manifests the nuances of the character—her fears, her insecurities, her resilience, thereby adding depth to the plotline. Alongside Benson, the cast is complemented by Matt McGorry from 'How to Get Away with Murder' fame, who delivers a compelling performance.

The story revolves around Emma, a seemingly ordinary woman leading a seemingly ordinary life, but what she doesn't know is that she's far from ordinary in the eyes of someone—the 'Ratter' or hacker—who has made her an unwitting part of his cyber-stalking scheme. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the stalker gains access to Emma's personal digital devices, invading her personal privacy and fundamentally turning her life into a horrifying reality show for his twisted enjoyment. It’s the terrifying embodiment of the modern, digital-era thriller, reflecting the ill side of technological advancement that we often tend to overlook.

Ratter is a chilling narrative that focuses on tapping into our collective paranoia about privacy invasion in the modern, digital age. It is an open commentary on how the technology that makes our lives easier and more interconnected can also make us vulnerable to unseen dangers. It showcases how safety can be breached without our knowledge, leading to the derivative thrill that makes this movie an enthralling watch.

The movie thrives on the slow burn, creating a tense atmosphere that keeps viewers on edge throughout its runtime. The suspense and uncertainty are skillfully maintained, making it clear that the terror lies not only in the outrages acts, but also in the anxiety, the waiting and the anticipation of what might be in the predictable unpredictability of the storyline.

The director Branden Kramer brilliantly uses the "found footage" format to elevate the suspense, giving a unique perspective to the plot by allowing the audience to view the scenes from the perpetrator's point of view. This choice of presentation not only offers a fresh take on the plotline but also significantly ramps up the tension and the overall fear factor. It's a movie where the antagonists lurks behind the screens, hidden and unidentified—perhaps one of the scariest aspects of this unfolding drama.

Adding to this, Kramer effectively exploits the sounds and the silence, the sudden cuts and the transitions to create suspense and hold the viewers' attention. The cinematography ranges from handheld scenes to static webcam shots, accompanied by impressive sound design, all of which contribute to the movie's overall tense atmosphere, and a climax that is both jarring and impactful.

In total, Ratter is an impressive psychological thriller that masterfully explores the concept of cyber stalking and its impact on the victim's life. With a strong performance by Ashley Benson, suspenseful plot, and uniquely unsettling style—the movie grips the viewers from the beginning till the end.

For those seeking a movie that smartly delves into the perils of the digital era we live in—highlighting the vulnerable aspects of our privacy—Ratter provides a hauntingly realistic depiction of such fears, making it compelling viewing for all suspense and thriller aficionados. Despite being a frightful watch, it also leaves behind a worthy trail of thought about the unforeseen aspects of our highly digital, inter-connected lives in this rapidly advancing era of technology. As a parting thought, it leaves behind a chilling reminder— while you're watching your screen, someone could be watching you.