A standalone sequel to the surprise 2014 horror hit about a group of obnoxious chat-rooming teens who are killed one after another after being accused online of bearing responsibility for the suicide of a classmate, Unfriended: Dark Web, like its predecessor, tells its story via images on computer and phone screens, although it necessarily introduces a new set of victims and offers a different motive behind their inevitable demises. This one begins with Matias (Colin Woodell) admitting that he walked off with a laptop from an Internet café that he was using to link up with his usual “game night” pals—conspiracy nut AJ (Connor Del Rio), laid-back Damon (Andrew Lees), lovers Serena (Rebecca Rittenhouse) and Nari (Betty Gabriel), and DJ Lexx (Savira Windyani). Also on Matias’s radar is his current girlfriend, Amaya (Stephanie Nogueras), who happens to be deaf. The group’s vacuous conversation is interrupted by e-mails accusing Matias of stealing the computer and demanding its return, and he soon discovers why: it contains files connected to a series of gruesome online snuff films. And that puts him and his friends in the crosshairs of those operating what is apparently a lucrative though repulsive web business. A series of gruesome death scenes follow, but even with a few twists Dark Web is simply not clever enough to sustain interest, especially given the grainy visuals and amateur-level acting. Not recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include alternate endings (20 min.). Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is a bonus digital copy of the film. Bottom line: a decent extras package for a lame slasher flick.] (F. Swietek)
Unfriended: Dark Web
Universal, 93 min., R, DVD: $24.99, Blu-ray: $34.99, Oct. 16 Volume 34, Issue 1
Unfriended: Dark Web
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