Deadware (2021) User Reviews

Anachronistic Dialogue

[jdevilproductions · 4/10 · 24 May 2023]

The movie is alright but I'm so sick of language from today being used in movies that are supposed to take place 25 years ago! The use of "same", "ghosted", and "bougie" were never used that way in 1999. Writers these days just need to stop being lazy in their writing.

The movie is alright but I'm so sick of language from today being used in movies that are supposed to take place 25 years ago! The use of "same", "ghosted", and "bougie" were never used that way in 1999. Writers these days just need to stop being lazy in their writing.

The movie is alright but I'm so sick of language from today being used in movies that are supposed to take place 25 years ago! The use of "same", "ghosted", and "bougie" were never used that way in 1999. Writers these days just need to stop being lazy in their writing.

Quality low budget horror

[Rancid_Planet · 6/10 · 21 March 2022]

It starts slow and has little budget but the actors pull it off and there are some quality scares in here. Really good job all around with the visuals as well. You see so many movies like this that just suck but this one clocks in at 68 mins so just hang in for the first 15 or so and then you're off to the races.

Unfriended II?

[MikeHunt1075 · 4/10 · 20 May 2022]

There's nothing wrong with the acting, between the two actors who take up 98% of the films screen time. Its just mostly very slow and consists of a few mins playing a game then a few mins talking.

It's a cheap cam 2 cam film set in 1999, because they couldn't do much with visual effects to make it more modern, so opted for a few photoshop stills and made it out to be the two of them discovering an online game that they soon find out is haunted.

The scariest part of this film is its supposed to be online in 1999 and the game loads instantaneously over their 56k modems and there's absolutely no buffering on their cams, no drop outs, no frozen cams for a few seconds, no pixelated images and no dial-up sounds... actually the dial-up sound could have aided in bringing up PTSD for those of us who suffered through those days. But I found it too hard to get past all that to suspend enough belief and just go with it.

Had this been made in 1999, it might be a decent flick to put some fear into someone, but instead it's just another cheap movie with cheap jump scares that should have been cut down to a 30 Min episode or even just an even quicker online short film.

I'd only recommend it to you if you're already interested, otherwise you'll never kick yourself for never seeing it. It's not a pop corn flick, it has zero humor, no memorable scenes or quotes, there's nothing noteworthy about anything here. It's payable as a one of viewing that you can watch all the way through not being completely bored to death, but it's basically just the average low budget flick that tries to have a clever little twist in the end that's not all that clever at all... tho if you happened to have seen a 2022 film called "Choose or Die" and actually liked it, you might get the same kick out of this one that is slightly simmilar in plot.

It's like having a good concept, but nothing worked.

[markchisum-90532 · 3/10 · 24 March 2022]

The shots were good, even though I was sure that I would dislike the shared screen computer setting, it still manages to feel real enough to keep the viewers eyes on the screen. The acting was pretty good for a low budget movie, and there were so many opportunities for cheap jump scares or evil creations to antagonize the two characters. The biggest issue is the two subjects of the movie, seem to being punished by a spirit of their old "friend", but honestly, it's way too much of a leap to believe that the grievances were harsh enough to be haunted. It just doesn't make sense, and the ending is horribly predictable with no substance. This could be remade with a much more complex script and terror, and be a great movie.

Bad

[greymanelor · 1/10 · 4 June 2023]

Great googly moogly, this was terrible. Not a single aspect of this film - not the acting, not the script, not the scares, not the period authenticity - were pulled off successfully.

The performances were a flatline. I haven't seen either of them in anything else, so they may be brilliant in other roles, just not in this film.

Not that they were given much to work with. You can't make an hour long horror movie based off 90s internet click-bait screamers and spoooooky meme images. Half the film consisted of this same exchange.

Character 1: This game is spooky.

Character 2: Yes, but let's keep going.

Character 1: No, I don't want to keep going.

Character 2: Yes, but let's keep going.

Character 1: Okay. *Cue screamer*

Character 1 & 2: OH NO!

I'm sorry.

[arainbow-24286 · 1/10 · 20 June 2023]

IT JUST SUCKED😭😭 the acting was terrible and the ending sucked. Maybe if it had better actors, with a better ending we would've liked it more but it was just awful. I liked the idea but with how it came out...it could have been better. With these type of movies they are never really that good. Same with unfriended, unfriended was alright but only because Shelley hennig was in it and she's a terrific actress. But this, this could've been better and the amount of disrespect on religion and god was a bit much. I just wouldn't recommend it! Especially if you're religious like I am, it's disrespectful on that end. Thank you!--side note, this was my first review so I hope I did okay! I felt like this was the perfect time to review haha.

Deadware: Better than you'd expect

[Platypuschow · 7/10 · 5 March 2024]

Plot

In 1999, two friends use a webcam for the first time and stumble across a mysterious browser game that may be haunted.

Cast

Not familiar with anybody involved.

Verdict

There's no shortage of "Cyber" horror films these days in fact we went through quite the spate of them. A large percentage operated the gimmick of playing out entirely through a characters screen with a series of windows open and of course all the involved characters on webcam. The results, mixed however I always liked the concept and it very often managed to be suitably creepy despite the movies quality.

Deadware is on a considerably lower budget than most of the others and to a point it shows, but with something that's not supposed to look polished it's entirely forgivable and looks exactly as it's supposed to.

Telling a story essentially of a haunted browser game in the 90's it oozes nostalgia for those of the right age who dipped their feet into webcams back in the day. Even the point and click browser game brought back memories.

It delivers the creeps, the perfectly constructed pacing and I found myself gripped. The flaw? The finale though passable was more than a little uninspired and really lets the film down.

Regardless within this sub-genre this is up there among the best in my opinion.

Rants

I miss games like this, slow paced, mysterious, unpredictable and yet having a level of basic construction that keeps you on your toes. Modern horror games are more like action titles or alternatively they're predictable flashlight wielding in the dark jump scare filled predictability. Games in many ways have gotten too advanced, back peddle! And while we're on the subject, enough putting multi-player into everything. I almost miss the days before online multiplayer where you played games on the couch together. Yep, I'm officially old.

Breakdown

Perfect pacing Great execution Very nostalgic Weak finale.

Slowest. Film. Ever.

[photopro-569-661474 · 1/10 · 27 February 2022]

I have literally never watched a slower, more boring, uneventful movie in my life. This is two hours I will never get back.

I need these two hours back.

Campy, fun, low budget horror made by horror fans

[jordanrgs · 7/10 · 1 February 2022]

I rented this film for a few bucks on Amazon expecting to laugh at a terrible Horror film, (the cheesier the better imo) and I must say I wasn't laughing too much (other than at the jokes that DID NOT work haha). Clearly made by mostly inexperienced film makers, they made their premise work very well... Its almost as if the movie wouldn't have worked if it was big budget, production company made. If you're looking for a short fun watch with some jumps and creepy atmosphere, check this out. Just remember its not a Spielberg film! Campy, fun, low budget horror made by horror fans.

Probably a good Movie . . .

[rss_patriot_1982 · 5/10 · 30 May 2023]

I'm usually good with letting every Movie no matter how good or bad play out to the end . . . But this one just hasn't managed to capture my attention.

It's only been playing for 15 minutes, but it's mostly talking . . . And I'm just not that much of a conversationalist. Give me a little Action any day . . .

Or at least something to laugh at . . . Or pretend to be frightened by (Jump Scares just don't make me jump . . . And I'm not much of a reacter either).

I gave this Movie a Middle-of-the-Road Rating of 5 only because I'm not going to finish watching it.

So by all means don't base your decision to watch/not watch solely on my Review . . .

cool beans🤙🏽

[nerona13 · 10/10 · 17 August 2022]

For a low budget horror this was fun to watch. Really liked the whole idea with the computer game. Creepy, haunting and clever.kind of felt like I was playing along with them. Would definitely watch again.

Great Idea, Poor Execution

[norle · 6/10 · 23 May 2022]

The idea for this movie was excellent, the acting was adequate, and the suspense was very good, but the drawn-out story and huge pauses between action was ridiculous.

You can't start a movie with 20 minutes of exposition with just two people talking. I understand you need the backstory, but I almost turned this off after 15 minutes because it was so drawn out.

This would have done much better as a 20 minute horror short rather than a full-length movie. Also, that ending?? Hmmm....

Better Than What I Expected

[ladymidath · 7/10 · 30 March 2022]

I was wanting something a little bit different to watch and found this. At first I thought, 'oh this is a real cheapie', but I stuck with it and I am actually glad that I did.

Deadware may seem a little slow at first, but stay with it, it's a genuinely creepy movie. The acting is good, the dialogue is natural and realistic. The two actors are fine although you can see that their acting skills can use a little honing at times. Still, they do a pretty competent job. The suspense builds nicely and there is plenty of atmosphere that builds tension.

Two friends hook up over the net, (this is set in the early nineties,) and end up playing a game. But the game is more than a game.

This is worth the watch, especially for some of the really cool scares and overall creepiness.

Fun concept accurate to 90s Internet.

[icocleric · 6/10 · 23 September 2023]

It was better than I expected, for a low budget found footage almost style film. The conversation seems natural like two friends chatting on a web cam, and the concept was pretty cool. It definitely looks like the 90s Internet too, and playing a game on the Internet was pretty 90s. So I think the concept works.

It got in some nice creepy scares, got out some cool secrets about the characters. The chat between the characters explains the story, so I felt that worked.

I thought it was a slow start though, and more chatter explaining the story instead might have worked a bit better. But overall not a bad watch.

Some great jump scares

[thetvmn · 8/10 · 6 September 2023]

Yes, there is some slang that definitely wasn't used in 1999 when the movie is set. And yes, the Internet connection is too fast. All of us who lived through that time will notice that... But it's a good movie. The game (HoH) is very time-period accurate. Some may find the opening dialogue awkward, but it reminds me of catching up with an old friend. So in that way, it's very organic. I would highly recommend this movie for anyone who likes indie films. It has the same feel as Unfriended where the entire movie takes place on a computer screen, and the more things play out, the more secrets are revealed. Give it a watch!

Nostalgia for the 90-00 internet days

[bhester0806 · 7/10 · 6 May 2022]

Anyone who grew up in the late 90s early 00s played some game like this. The nostalgia was real in this film. The ending wasn't great but the vibes alone make it worth the short run time.

Fun for a chill night in

[mayapluscat · 7/10 · 22 December 2022]

If your SO is like mine and can't stand anything but Band Of Brothers-quality television, this is a great movie to watch with your cat or BFF, both of whom are hopefully really chill and just enjoy the company/vibes more than anything else.

The low-budget situation works in this scenario. I stayed interested the whole time and found myself genuinely spooked by a few scenes.

Both actors played off well against each other. Ali Alkhafaji's performance in particular stood out to me.

If, like me, you enjoyed any of the following films, you may enjoy this one too:

• Host (2020)
• Horror In The High Desert (2021)
• Butterfly Kisses (2018)
• The Lost Footage of Leah Sullivan (2018)
• Bad Ben (2016)

The movies above are just a few (if somewhat obscure - that was intentional) examples of found footage flicks I have enjoyed.

Someone else said this is a horror film made by horror fans and that's about right.

Better than it has any right to be

[richyp-88209 · 6/10 · 6 November 2023]

Deadware is an interesting concept and much better than it has any right to be with a cast of 2-3 and hardly any budget.

The end is a little rushed but the lead up to it is entertaining and able to deliver a good atmosphere as well as a few pretty good jump scares. The two characters are interesting to watch and carry the film very well considering it's simplicity.

There are a lot of technical issues, which might be jarring for some so you have to look past them, namely that they use technology that wasn't around and that the internet had no where near the bandwidth to do what they do in the film. It's supposed to be set in the late 90s (i think '99) and I'm not really sure why? It didn't seem especially important to the plot and being set in a more recent time period would have fixed most of them.