Deadstream Understands its Found Footage Location
Deadstreaminitiates viewers into this world in rapid succession but in the most clever of ways. Since thefilm is entirely found footage(in that specific subgenre of ‘screenlife’ movies, which take place only on the screens of our technology), the opening is essentially a teaser episode of Shawn’s show. Filled with the same frenetic ADHD editing and ironic blocks of text seen in these types of videos, the beginning ofDeadstreamis an intelligent introduction to just who this man is and what the logical structure ofDeadstreamwill be.
These logical structures are essential in found footage; without a clear understanding of where the cameras are, why they’re in those locations, and what explains any potential editing,a found footage filmwill feel like a cheat.Deadstreamestablishes this early on, solidifying a cinematic geography with its variety of motion-activated cameras, tablets that control the screen, online comment boards, and the rigorous contraption Shawn has attached to himself, with cameras facing both outwards and towards him.
Deadstream is About a Haunted House in the Era of Twitch
With the physical space of the house mapped out, accompanied by Shawn’s humorously moronic banter, the desperate dunce explains the lore of the house. A poet lived there, ostracized by her community, and hung herself before ever finding an audience (a cute connection to Shawn’s pathetic quest to be a viral sensation once again). Ever since then, multiple people have died in the house, with so-called evidence and reports being documented for several decades.
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Shawn isscared of ghosts, but is more afraid of being unpopular and ‘canceled,’ so he takes the spark plugs out of his truck and throws them into the woods, then locks himself in the house; his need for attention and fame would be sad if he wasn’t so comically stupid. He sets up a command center of sorts in the only room of the house which has never had reports of supernatural activity or a history of horrible deaths, and from there begins a long process of poking the proverbial bear.
Satirizing Livestreams and Online Influencers in Deadstream
For much ofDeadstream, this is literally Shawn’s show — he’s the only one speaking and the only live human we see for quite a bit of the film. This isn’t nearly as artistic or claustrophobic as, say,LockeorBuried, though, and the film is hardly pretentious. Shawn is fun to watch and listen to in a kind of satirical way, even if watching him suffer feels viciously vicarious. Ironically,Deadstreamis probably appealing whether the viewer loves or abhors these internet sensations. Shawn is so much like them that fans of PewDiePie, Benji, or iJustine might actually appreciate this as an homage or smart appropriation.
The rest of us, those who shudder at the terms ‘lifecaster’ or ‘influencer,’ will likely experience great schadenfreude at seeing this pinnacle of mediocrity in fleshy, bearded form get the living hell scared out of him. And it is scary — whileDeadstreamis consistently humorous in its exploration of Shawn, it’s surprisingly frightening thanks to its well-established camerawork,excellent and gross practical effects, and well-earned jump scares.
Mosthorror comedy movieslean too far into one genre at the expense of the other, butDeadstreammanages a pretty great balance. The film keeps its light, silly, ‘look at this idiot’ tone and garners plenty of chuckles, but it’s often very scary in the process. In both form and content, the movie understands the built-in absurdity of livestreaming and viral sensations, but also their potential to merge with the found footage genre into something innovatively terrifying.
If there’s one major problem that keepsDeadstreamfrom being truly effective as horror, it’s the acting. Filmmaker (alongside his partner Veronica Winter) and star Joseph Winter definitely has the charisma and energy to hold audience’s attention for the runtime ofDeadstream, and does very well with the comedy aspects. Unfortunately, he just never seems scared. He plays the YouTuber so well that he can’t seem to play an actual human being, someone who’s utterly gripped by fear. While this maintains some levity, it tends to drain fear from the atmosphere in the film.
Joseph and Vanessa Winters Come to Shudder With Deadstream Debut
Then again, Winters has a staggeringly difficult task inDeadstream, actually being responsible for some of the main camerawork here. He has to understand the choreography of his movements in the house, the quality of the lighting, the framing of the multiple cameras attached to him, and so on, all while keeping up his ‘obnoxious rube’ act.
He’s juggling a lot here (on top of doing the editing and score), and as a first-time feature film director and actor, it’s an impressive feat even if it doesn’t always work. Thankfully, Vanessa Winters worked diligently behind the scenes (along with director of photography Jared Cook) to ensure that it didn’t get too jumbled up.
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There’s much more to discuss aboutDeadstream, but it’s best not to spoil anything (though the ‘twist’ is rather obvious, something Shawn’s comment section in the livestream hilariously point out despite his obliviousness). Suffice it to say, the makeup and practical effects are wonderfully developed by Troy Larson, Mikaela Kester, Kelly Donahue, and an art department filled with more people than anything else in the crew. There’s a great variety of horrors on display here, andDeadstreamspecifically brings to mind Sam Raimi’s work intheEvil Deadfilmswith their low-budget but meticulous and imaginative ghouls.
The narrative falls apart a bit in the final act, with seemingly random plot points being introduced that feel silly or unnecessary. Nonetheless, the comedy and horror continue throughout, even if it doesn’t always make sense. Its blood-soaked conclusion might not be the most thought-out, but the road to getting there is a frightening fun.Deadstreamis a welcome update to the found footage genre, only barely tripping on that medium’s inherent flaws but gleefully perfecting several of its standard tropes.
From Winterspectre Entertainment, Jared R Cook Productions, Stonehaven Entertainment, and Blue Finch Films,Deadstreamwill be available exclusively on Shudder beginning Oct. 6th.
