Sometimes, it seems like streamer culture is beyond parody. How do you poke fun at a world filled with electric shock dog collars and gamer girl bath water?
One film hilariously parodied streamer culture while delivering one of the scariest movies in years. That film is Deadstream, and you can now stream this slice of found footage perfection for free on Tubi.
Paranormal Slacktivity
The premise of Deadstream involves a washed-up streamer trying to claw back some street cred by spending a whole night in a haunted house. He places cameras all over the house, prepared to capture every terrifying moment on livestream. But nothing can prepare him for what happens next: a gaggle of ghouls that threaten to turn his livestream into (say it together, y’all) a deadstream.
The cast of Deadstream is remarkably svelte: Joseph Winter (known best outside this film for a role in V/H/S/99) does a great job as the lead, and he does a remarkable job of finding the relatable humanity hidden beneath layers of his character’s toxic dudebro personality. Meanwhile, Melanie Stone (who starred in Little Women and, like Winter, in V/H/S/99) plays a spooky spectre that haunts our protagonist in more ways than one. And Marty Collins (otherwise best known for starring in The American West) plays both a police officer and a man from the early 20th century who died in his sleep.
The Ghosts With the Most
Deadstream swung for the fences and managed a critical home run, earning a 92 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised the film for its B-movie charms and cheesy fun factor while applauding the film’s creativity. After all, this is a found footage movie that makes this exceedingly tired horror genre seem frighteningly fresh, something that many horror fans thought was downright impossible.
I have to agree: I’m one of those older horror hounds who feels like found footage peaked with The Blair Witch Project, and most movies in this genre (with the notable exception of the V/H/S titles) disappoint me. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how well Deadstream set up its found footage premise (if anyone’s going to record themselves from countless angles, it’s a YouTuber thirsty for clicks!) while delivering some genuine scares. Plus, as someone who has always found streamer culture bizarre and indecipherable, I thought the otherwise dramatic main character (someone who would risk his life for clicks) seemed all too realistic.
Truly Haunting Horror
Speaking for myself, the movie’s premise (with all its references to streaming culture) managed to elevate it above the run-of-the-mill haunted house movie. I’m someone who has never gotten a real kick out of films like Paranormal Activity because it’s difficult to be scared of invisible monsters (and no, my crippling depression doesn’t count). But Deadstream manages to deliver some visceral violence and tangible terror, instantly elevating it above your run-of-the-mill haunted house film.
Will you want to like and subscribe to Deadstream, or will this horror movie have you reaching for the block button? You won’t know until you check out its viral violence for yourself. If I had to make a spirited bet, I’d say you’re in for a ghoulishly good time!