We're All Going to the World's Fair

The 2021 movie, We're All Going to the World's Fair, is an unconventional film that explores the dark, captivating, and mysterious world of online role-playing games - a realm that blurs the boundaries between reality and virtual life.

The film provides a chilling yet intriguing perspective on the isolating digital environment that millions run for solace and how they become ensnared in its vast and irresistible web. Directed with artistic brilliance by Jane Schoenbrun and co-produced by Theo Anthony, the movie immersively portrays the dangerous lures and effects of internet obsession on the psyche of the youth.

In the heart of the narrative is the film's protagonist, Casey (Anna Cobb in her groundbreaking debut), an introverted, lonely teenager living in a secluded American suburbia. As the movie opens, she is just about to partake in a game called "The World's Fair Challenge". Her life takes a drastic turn as layers of her experiences peel off, revealing the hollowed isolation and desolation brought by her obsession with the internet.

The entire narrative rhythm relies heavily on Casey's experience with the game; beginning from her cosplaying character introduction, through to her struggle with the game's suspected symptoms and finally her desperate attempts to connect with one of the game's enigmatic players.

The viewers become the silent spectator of Casey's self-taped videos, her growing disorientation, her intense scrutiny of her body for signs of transformation, her immense hope as well as despair, and her agony in the harrowing journey that she embarks upon. The closer she gets to the game, the more distorted and blurred her sense of reality becomes, till it gradually seeps into her everyday existence.

Meanwhile, JLB (Michael J. Rogers), an anonymous man, watches Casey's eerily cryptic videos and gradually becomes a crucial element in the plot. His concern for Casey adds a redeeming complexity to a grim internet universe, introducing a surprisingly empathetic part of an otherwise gloomy portrayal of online culture. Still, the viewers remain in the constant grip of suspense and eeriness as it remains uncertain if JLB will help liberate Casey from the nightmarish daze or pull her deeper into the abyss.

Acclaimed for its atmospheric horror, the film shimmers with an eerie brilliance. It showcases a mastery of visual effects - concocted with perfect balance, never overpowering the story but accentuating its frightening theme. Director Schoenbrun employs a minimalistic but far-reaching cinematography that amplifies the emotions and psychological states of the characters. For instance, the careful framing of Casey within her gloomy home, the blue pallor of her room serving as a constant reminder of her increasing alienation.

The sound design and musical score add more depth to the film – they serve as more than mere sound effects or background noise. A perpetual hum or throbbing drone underscores the presence of a virtual sphere that forever envelops and invades the lives of Casey and JLB. The music, at times discordant, further highlights the unsettling, bone-chilling experience that the movie provides.

Another noteworthy aspect of We're All Going to the World's Fair is its portrayal of the digital age dialect. It is remarkable for the authenticity it brings to the characters' thoughts and conversations. And in doing so, it achieves an important milestone by giving the internet language - often dismissed as jargon - a place on the silver screen.

The script relies heavily on its stark and heart-wrenching storytelling rather than traditional plot twists or climactic moments. Schoenbrun brilliantly brings to life the growing concerns of online obsession, internet isolation, and the spiraling mental health issues in the digital age through Casey's compelling character.

In summary, We're All Going to the World's Fair stands out as an unsettling cinematic journey into the heart of internet culture, beautifully manifested through one teenager's descent into an online game's dark whirlpool. This movie challenges the traditional norms of filmmaking, hauntingly accentuating the fear and thrall that the digital world engenders, thus making it a must-watch for audiences seeking intense, thought-provoking cinema.