Deadware (2021)

Made by and starring the same lovely people that made 2022’s Last Radio Call, Deadware brings the same type of horror which is my exact niche, I am fast becoming a huge fan of writer/director Isaac Rodriguez as well as actors Sarah Froelich and Ali Alkhafaji.

Deadware takes us on an adventure told between screens, like Unfriended but with likeable people and better acting.

It’s the late 90’s, Megan and Jay decide to have a webcam chat which felt like sorcery to me back then.

Megan has recently relocated from San Antonio to San Francisco for her boyfriend Davide but alas, he’s now told her he has a new ‘real vampire’ girlfriend and so, she’s still in San Francisco but she’s a little lonely.

She and Jay were both friends with another girl named Amy but Jay says he asked Amy out romantically and she took it badly.

Jay was embarrassed and hasn’t spoken to her since, Megan assures him Amy probably is already over it and suggests inviting Amy to join their chat.

After waiting for Amy’s reply and hearing from Jay that Amy was in some sort of depression when he last saw her Megan becomes more concerned and sends Amy a message on AIM but find an away message that reveals her to be playing a game called House of Hunger. Opening the game, Jay is reluctant to play it on religious grounds but is persuaded to by Megan.

This is when things get creepy and weird.

Clocking in at a lean 1hr and 8 mins, the movie doesn’t mess around and while I can imagine the “this is boooooring” IMDb rants from those with zero attention spans, a mature and patient horror fan will not be put off.

Acting is good, some of the script has been described as bad but I think this is more to mimic ‘real’ conversations which are often dull unless you’re part of the conversation group.

It also makes it feel like Jay and Megan have actually not spoken for a while.

Paying a small homage to Blair Witch Project which is period appropriate and reminds me of just how good the 1999 original was compared to the utter pile of manure that the remake was.

The ending has a scene with Jay that I assume is a recording from the past and it confused me a little as to what I was supposed to make of it but perhaps another viewing with help with that.

Really good Indie horror, Isaac Rodriguez is crushing the found footage genre atm and I am delighted.