Instead of watching films that have come out this year, I’ve just been playing catch up, on random films that supposedly make you a cinephile. I heard a little bit of buzz surrounding this movie and decided to check it out. The only thing I knew is that it starred the guy from Stranger Things.
The IMDB synopsis for this film is as follows “Thirsty for a following, Kurt Kunkle is a rideshare driver who has figured out a deadly plan to go viral.”
The film is shot through the perspective of cameras, whether that be through phone or the camera’s placed around our protagonists car. We have seen this technique used before in films like Searching and Unfriended. When this method is used, it can be very easy for the film to fall flat. But Spree uses it quite well, thanks to a great lead performance and the subject matter at hand.
Social media plays a big role in this film, since the main character we are following is hungry for likes, followers, shares, etc. The film does an exceptional job at depicting an individual’s need for online validation. This constant consumption of likes and reposts, that no longer serve as a simple hobby, but becomes an extension of that person’s personality. What drives this notion him is Joe Keery’s performance as Kurt. He completely inhabits this role of someone who is well versed with the online world, but is very much an amateur.
It’s a nice 90 minute thriller which due to its editing and pace, make it go by very fast. It entertains from start to finish. It may not have sustainability as a film, but it is a very fun watch.
Cedric Cinema 