'Unfriended' presents a contemporary horror narrative exploring relevant issues surrounding modern society and our reliance on online platforms. It confronts a delicate topic—cyberbullying—beginning with a profoundly unsettling introduction. The story centers on a teenage girl who, after experiencing public humiliation online, tragically takes her own life as a result of relentless harassment from classmates. A year later, this group finds themselves targeted by an apparent vengeful presence through the internet. Gabradze’s direction proves quite captivating. 'Unfriended' (which I’ve affectionately dubbed ‘Mad Macs’) unfolds in a remarkably straightforward way. The film primarily displays the protagonist's computer screen throughout its runtime. Viewers witness every keystroke and error made by Blaire Lily (Shelley Hennig). This approach effectively conveys the character’s escalating panic and fear. Blaire interacts with music software called 'Spotify,' which conveniently allows for non-diegetic music to enhance the atmosphere. Given that the film largely consists of a video conference call via 'Skype', the actors are situated in separate rooms, each using individual "webcams," to heighten the sense of realism. While it wasn't necessary for the performers to actually connect to the internet, occasional screen buffering and flickering contribute to the illusion. ‘Unfriended’ is heavily reliant on dialogue because physical action is limited. Consequently, a strong screenplay is vital to maintain audience engagement. The script holds up well, delivering genuine moments of creepiness and suspense from the mysterious stalker. Because of the film's subject matter, there’s considerable use of slang and terminology familiar to those who regularly utilize these social media platforms—something users will likely appreciate. Those unfamiliar with how these programs function might struggle to follow along. The acting isn't exceptional, but the movie still manages to succeed. It seems that the actors’ sometimes irritating behavior actually complemented the film’s overall theme. Ultimately, 'Unfriended' is a thought-provoking piece. I found it to be a very inventive commentary on contemporary living. While there were genuinely frightening and unsettling moments, as with many modern horror films, it depended too heavily on jump scares. It brought back memories of ‘The Blair Witch Project’ in its attempt to feel realistic while also addressing serious issues within today's culture. ★★★

Source on TMDB