Review: Like.Share.Follow

(imdb.com)

In recent years, horror and technology have converged. From found-footage films that use drones to entire plot lines needing the internet or Skype to function, these movies have a growing history in the genre. Building on this new world of digitalization and tying into last week's list of these movies is the newly released Like.Share.Follow.


Following a semi-famous teen Youtuber and his friends, Like.Share.Follow. is a winding exploration of obsessive celebrity culture and the length fans believe themselves to be a part of the lives of constantly status updating celebrities. Released alongside Totem by Cinemax, The movie takes a turn when a young woman decides to take her obsession to the next level and go from online-stalker to physical stalker, as she seeks out and becomes romantically attached to the Youtuber. The film stars Keiynan Lonsdale (Insurgent) as Garret, the Youtuber who is tricked into a relationship with his obsessive fan, Shell, played by Ema Horvath (Burning Kentucky).


Like many teen horror films, the quality of Like.Share.Follow. resides mostly in entertainment value, rather than actual scares. And unlike the aforementioned and previously reviewed Totem, Like.Share.Follow. is truly fun. Far more watchable thanks to Lonsdale who carries a large portion of the film on his charisma alone, Like.Share.Follow. isn't all that groundbreaking or original. But, it's definitely better than the comparative Totem and certainly way more enjoyable to watch. Horvath is also great in her role as the unhinged girl who simply cannot process that what she's doing is quite insane.


Like.Share.Follow. works best as an exploration of youth and digitalization. The very intimate nature of social media and the connection celebrities now must maintain with fans is on full display throughout the movie. Despite it's been there-done-that stalker premise, the heavy hand of modern life helps it stand out. This isn't just another recreation of The Roommate or Misery, it's its own thing altogether. It’s the type of movie that in a world of short attention spans is capable of holding audiences attentions with all its new gizmos and gadgets and atmosphere of “what-ifs.”


Like.Share.Follow. does the most with its stale narrative. With plenty of youth-driven plot devices and a great final punch, it's hard to deny the movie's personality. Turning out great performances by young stars and capturing the unhinged nature of stan culture, this movie is worth sitting through - even if you find that your phone is out the majority of the time. 6 out 10.