Back in July I gave Dashcam , still my pick for worst film of the year, a bit of a hammering.
Deadstream is a similarly shot and themed horror-comedy that showcases disgraced internet personality Shawn (Joseph Winter) as he attempts to win back his followers by live streaming alone in a haunted house.
Like Dashcam , Deadstream is shot using mobile phones and handheld and body-mounted cameras with a near-constant stream of comments from Shawn’s followers being shown on screen.
But while Dashcam had a wholly unlikable lead character with no redeeming qualities, this flick’s Shawn starts off heading that way before recognising the error of his ways and becoming someone we want to see make it home in one piece.
Winter also co-wrote and directed this debut feature-length outing with his wife Vanessa and it’s obvious the couple are fans of horror.
With its isolated setting and all sorts of crazy goings-on, often involving gross physical attacks on Shawn , Deadstream homages the Evil Dead movies.
Melanie Stone’s Chrissy is introduced as an apparent friend in the second act but the film just gets wilder and wilder.
Dark creations like Jason K. Wixom’s Corner Man are creepy as hell and there are a few cutaways to videos sent in by Shawn’s fans to try and help him unravel the evil mystery he finds himself at the heart of.
The Winters’ debut is like a haunted house at a funfair on acid as hideous tricks and treats lurk around every corner.
Truthfully, it all gets a bit too much, particularly during the latter stages, as they bombard us with blood, gore, sinister sound design and Shawn’s soul-searching.
Much better than Dashcam , Deadstream deserves a lot more followers than that abomination but could’ve done with a surer hand in the editing suite.
● What are your thoughts on movies that utilise modern technology and include ‘comments’ from ‘viewers’ on screen?
Pop me an email at ian.bunting@reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.
Darren Wilcox got in touch to say: “I loved The Midnight Club on Netflix. Each story told is really interesting and the ending was top-notch.”
● Deadstream is streaming on Shudder now.
* Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
