Deadstream finds a way to mix comedy and horror through found footage that will keep viewers entertained.
Ever since “The Blair Witch Project” came out in 1999, movies have been trying to capture the pure horror and fear brought on from the found footage film. It’s hard to get images of those three students crying and running for their lives out of your head, and few films have been able to recapture that magic (2014’s “As Above So Below” comes to mind).
Vanessa and Joseph Winter have their go with the genre with “Deadstream,” but add a comedic flair to all the craziness that one internet personality, played by Joseph Winter, finds himself in when he goes to an abandoned haunted house. While it may not give you the same chills as “The Blair Witch Project” did, it features so many creative visual elements that keep you on the edge of your seat as well as a great performance from Winter.
Shawn was at the top of his online game with sponsorships and thousands of viewers watching his hilarious pranks and stunts, but an incident with a homeless man made it all go away. After some time away from the cameras, Shawn returns with a one-night only streaming event at an abandoned haunted house that he’s sure will win back his followers. A woman died by suicide in the house after she learned that her beloved died, and rumor has it her spirit still haunts the premises. Equipped with a bunch of mini cameras that he sets up in different rooms and a livestream of the extravaganza, Shawn is ready to take on the night. But, of course, things don’t go well, and this over-the-top personality, played so ridiculously well by Joseph Winter, angers the spirit who has quite a powerful following of her own.
Vanessa and Joseph Winter decided to show this film as if we were part of the livestream watchgroup, and it was the best decision. As the perspective switches from his point of view to his selfie stick, it feels like we’re up close to all the action. It was also a nice touch to have cameras set up in different rooms so that we get even more creeped out when we notice things moving around in the corners. The filmmakers also added in the chat element on screen, which was such an honest portrayal of comments people would be posting during a livestream: people cheering Shawn on, hating on him, calling him stupid and trying to help him through this demented space.
“Deadstream” takes its time to build up to the madness, which works well in most instances. At first Shawn is joking around with the people who are watching the livestream and being loud and obnoxious throughout the house, but once he starts hearing noises and thuds, his
demeanor changes and we know that things are about to get wild. Winter totally nails the stereotypical bro vlogger persona that we’ve all come to find on YouTube and Twitch: those who think they’re larger than life and invincible. As the film progresses and he has to focus on making it out alive, he ups the fear in his performance and it really makes us believe that we’re actually watching a found footage tape. Since he is the only player on screen for most of the film, it does get a little stale as you’re waiting for the action to ramp up. But once a “fan” (Melanie Stone) somehow manages to get inside the house and team up with him, the excitement begins.
“Deadstream” finds a way to mix comedy and horror through found footage that will keep viewers entertained. While it might not be revolutionary, it’s definitely creative and there are some bonkers and disgusting moments that will make your jaw drop and possibly ruin your appetite.
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Rating: 3 out of 5
About Deadstream
About “Deadstream”: After a public controversy left him disgraced and demonetized, a washed up internet personality tries to win back his followers by livestreaming himself spending one night alone in an abandoned haunted house. When he accidentally pisses off a vengeful spirit, his big comeback event becomes a real-time fight for his life (and social relevance) as he faces off with the sinister spirit of the house and her own powerful following.
