Friend Request

Writer-director Simon Verhoeven taps into social media to propel this tech-terror thriller that starts out with a provocative premise before inevitably dissolving into clichéd carnage. College student Laura Woodson (Alycia Debnam-Carey) is undoubtedly one of the most popular coeds on campus. Since she has more than 800 “friends,” she graciously accepts a friend request from lonely Marina Mills (Liesl Ahlers), a strange, hoodie-clad, goth girl classmate. But Marina becomes obsessed with Laura, who lies about a birthday party, tipping troubled Marina over the edge, which leads Laura to “unfriend” her. In retaliation, Marina posts a suicide video in which she hangs and sets herself on fire. In an accompanying message, Marina vows that Laura will soon understand what real loneliness is. And that's just the beginning of the torment that Marina directs toward Laura. Cyberstalking reigns, as horrific videos suddenly begin appearing under Laura's name. Unable to delete the clips or cancel her demonic online account, Laura takes desperate measures, enlisting the services of hacker Kobe (Connor Paolo) when her real-life friends start being ceremonially killed in grisly, gruesome, supernatural ways (including CGI wasps). “That's not code,” Kobe declares, examining the mystical death videos. “I think it's a ritual.” Or, as the tagline proclaims, “Evil is trending.” So, apparently, are stupid horror flicks. Not recommended. (S. Granger)