What do you get when you mix 90s Slashers with modern tech? Stream of Terror. Coming to digital platforms from Terror Films Releasing is a slasher-style whodunit where past secrets come to light and start a panic on campus for a social media butterfly and her friends.
When her picture-perfect life is shattered by a series of live streamed murders, Tiffany must confront a masked killer targeting her inner circle-before she becomes the last to go live.
Stream of Terror, IMDB
Tiffany (Alia Williams) has just graduated high school with her loving boyfriend, gaggle of social media fans, and a brand-spanking-new car. High off of life and excited to start college, she livestreams while driving, leading to a hit (and eventual) run accident that kills someone. Not wanting her to suffer for her poor decisions, her father and boyfriend help cover it up. Years later, her secret comes to light when a live-streaming Slasher stalks her and her friend group, killing each person while recording through their mask. She must rectify the situation before getting killed herself.
Right off the bat, Stream of Terror is reminiscent of I Know What You Did Last Summer, but ramped up for today’s live-streaming youth. I really liked the aspect of a killer showing the lead up to a kill filmed POV-style through the mask, red light shining and all. The killer themself has a cool get-up overall, ensuring no one can guess who they really are.
Where Stream of Terror loses me a bit is in the reveal (reminiscent of another Slasher of the 90s that I will keep spoiler-free), and some of the fight scenes. The reveal itself wasn’t too bad; it was more the motivations behind it that struck me as odd or unlikely. As for the fighting — there were plenty of times I felt a character could have easily been stopped or saved themselves. Plus, punches that clearly don’t connect made by actors who I wouldn’t believe for a second could actually fight. I know not everyone is trained in fighting, but perhaps shifting the camera slightly in another direction (or adding in some quick, action-style cuts) could have made it a bit more believable.
That said, two things stuck out to me as being pretty fun: the kill streams and character Greg (Bobby Curelli). Stream of Terror definitely capitalized off of today’s social media culture and showcases the main crux of the film at every turn (which makes sense). Characters are constantly talking to the people on their streams, and in turn they are bombarded by watching a live recording of the deaths of their friends. We are put into a POV position not only from the shots of the killer’s stream itself, but also in group shots of the friends watching the streams — it’s almost like we’re in the room with them watching all of the carnage unfold. Meanwhile, Greg is an effeminate jokester (ร la Perez Hilton) that inserts himself into any and every situation, unintentionally lightening up the mood with ridiculous takes, somehow getting himself into more and less trouble at the same time. Would he be annoying to deal with in real life? Yes, absolutely. But waiting for whatever nonsense he would inevitably say next was my favorite part of the movie.
While most of Stream of Terror is made of tropes we’re all familiar with, I appreciate its step into modernity with the use of this specific style of social media. A few aspects could be a little more realistic, but hey, it’s a Slasher. It’s not supposed to be life changing — it’s supposed to be fun. Watch for the streams, stay for Greg!
Stream of Terror is streaming on digital platforms everywhere October 16th. For more, visit the film on Instagram, and Terror Films on Instagram and web.
