I’m so damn excited to talk about today’s movie. For all the discussions about a million other flashy new horror releases right now, THIS is the one that might be my favorite horror movie of the year. I want to spread the word about it as much as humanly possible. It’s got everything I love in a movie, AND it’s got Utah connections! Before I get into it, here’s the brief synopsis from IMDB.
A disgraced internet personality attempts to win back his followers by livestreaming one night alone in a haunted house. But when he accidentally pisses off a vengeful spirit, his big comeback event becomes a real-time fight for his life.
I know I said this year I’d be writing smaller segments, but today I can’t help myself. I don’t even know where to begin with how fun, clever, engaging, funny and actually scary this movie is. I swear I haven’t experienced this much unabashed joy in a movie in a while. Basically imagine if a douchey YouTuber was thrown into the world of the Evil Dead, and you’ve got the incredible Deadstream. You will alternate between laughing and jumping the entire time. One of the keys to the success of this movie is the lead Joseph Winter (who also wrote and directed with his wife Vanessa Winter). With the exception of a few cutaways, he’s in every frame of the movie. And for a character who’s supposed to be unlikeable, he’s just so damn likable. You root for him no matter what. He carries this movie. The script is so smart, with so many twists and turns. I love how it even has something larger to say when all is said and done. The practical FX are such a loving and wonderful throwback to the types of movies that I love. I swear I could go on and on and on with all the reasons I love this film… But I will end with this, the movie takes place in Payson, Utah. Everyone here knows my Utah connections, growing up there, and having gone to the University of Utah. So some of the Utah dialogue on display absolutely killed me. At one point when he yelled, “Judas Priest” as a curse word, I almost fell off the couch. Because growing up Mormon, pseudo-swear words ruled my world, and yelling Judas Priest was my go-to. I swear I want to sit down and have a discussion with the Winters because I honestly think they may be my new favorite people. Everyone, listen to me, support this one, and GO SEE THIS MOVIE!
Where to Watch: Streaming exclusively on Shudder.
Food/Drink Pairing: Any lower tier energy drink and a Slim Jim.
Musings of a Scary Horror Writer. 
OK, I thoroughly loved this movie. It was funny, creepy, clever – really there are so many reasons why I loved it and I could watch it again. I thought it was a fantastic movie!
My pick of October. Just fun all around.