My quick rating - 5.2/10. I popped this on knowing nothing about it. The movie offers a timely, minimalistic look at the isolation and commodification of personal experience in the digital age. The premise is simple but engaging: a man (Melvin Gregg) wakes up in a stripped-down room, with only a primitive computer at his disposal. He quickly learns that in this new world, entertainment is currency—reminiscent of the TikTok-driven social economy where content is king. It’s an intriguing concept, even if it feels a bit like it’s trying to pack a lot into its budget constraints. One of the film’s strengths is its commitment to exploring the mental toll of isolation and the lengths people will go for validation. The performances, however, are hit-or-miss; at times, the main character’s responses feel grounded, but there’s also an underlying tone of acceptance that feels rushed. In such a bizarre situation, you’d expect a longer struggle with disbelief or frustration, but the character’s quick adaptation undermines some of the tension. The social commentary on our relationship with social media and how far we’ll go to feel “seen” is definitely at the forefront. The film raises interesting questions, like how entertainment becomes a transactional part of human existence. Yet, it doesn’t dig quite as deeply as it could, skimming the surface instead of delivering a full critique. Overall, I still found the flick to be commendable for the effort and ambition it shows with a limited budget. While the acting and pacing issues keep it from being fully immersive, it’s an intriguing watch for those interested in themes of social media’s impact on mental health and self-worth.
These streamers have this for $3-$5 to rent or $10 to also rent since you never own.
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