A Cyber Related Horror Film That Actually Works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            One of the benefits for someone like me, who will see any piece of horror trash that comes along, is to point at the screen, muttering to myself which other movie is being referenced.  "Friend Request," which is no masterpiece, but has more thought and substance than I expected, is not the altogether trash I was expecting, and that, I feel, is satisfying.

                              As for what is referenced, well, I found "Single White Female," "Burnt Offerings," "The Blair Witch Project," and a bit of "The Ring" thrown into the mix.  Plus a tiny dose of "Final Destination." And a dash of "The Sentinel."


                              So, yes, it is fun to play along with what the filmmakers are toying with, to get an idea of their knowledge about where they are going. Which turns out to be considerable.

                              Unlike "Final Destination," which none of the actors in that franchise went anywhere, there is one here who might.  That is Liesl Ahlers, as Marina, who is to this movie what Samara is to "The Ring," and Jennifer Jason Leigh to "Single White Female."  Ahlers work here is on the level of Leigh and Daveigh Chase, and it is when she is on screen, no matter what she is doing, that the film truly comes to life.  Her computer imagery is dazzling, and a device lifted from "The Ring," but compelling, and the ensuing blend of chase, pursuit and witch folklore is in strictly 'Blair Witch' territory.  Including the almost climactic shock, which is straight out of the film.

                              I am not even going to mention the actual climax, or what film it references, for fear of giving too much away.

                              I will say that the film injects a bit of social realism into the mix.  Its opening is chilling.  A professor walks into a college classroom, to presumably begin a lecture.  Instead, he sadly reports that, over the weekend, one of their fellow students, Marina Nedifar, took her own life.  The camera immediately flashes to a close-up of Laura Woodson (Alycia Denham-Carey).  Once done, the viewer knows she knows something, and the film is off and running, but takes one to unexpected places.  And though I could see the climax coming, the final shot is the perfect way to end this film.

                             I mean, if you have tickets to Bette in "Hello, Dolly!" or, hell, tickets to anything else, don't change plans for this.  But if the film fits into your plans it is more than worth your while to see.

                              Which, coming from me, darlings, about a trash horror film, is quite a compliment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!