Written and directed by Brett M. Butler and Jason G. Butler, Unfriending is billed as a comedy. While several comedic moments are throughout, it is far more of a quirky thriller than a humorous romp. But does that mean the film does not work, or is it still an enjoyable affair?
Blake (Sean Meldrum) and his significant other, May (Simone Jetsun), are hard at work prepping for a dinner party. She’s cooking roast beef, the favorite dish of the honor guest. He’s pouring the cheaper wine into the empty bottles of the fancy stuff. It’s not long before the first attendees show up, Barclay (Michael Pearson) and Radia (Jenna Vittoria). In short order, another two guests, Giselle (Rachelle Lauzon) and Darby (Honor Spencer), enter. Then, the reason for the gathering is revealed: a life intervention in which the group plans to convince Isaac (Alex Stone), who is the biggest loser of all time, to commit suicide.
Unfortunately, the day’s events and rehearsed speeches go into a tailspin when Isaac shows up to this “adult sleepover”… with his first date ever, Lexxi (Golden Madison). Now Blake, May, and the rest must scramble to hide evidence of their impending misdeeds. However, Lexxi isn’t who she pretends to be and is keeping a secret herself. Will Isaac realize he’s a waste of space and save precious oxygen for better citizens? Will Lexxi uncover and thwart the evil deeds of Isaac’s friends?
“…the group plans to convince Isaac, who is the biggest loser of all time, to commit suicide.”
Beneath the silly and absurd surface of Unfriending lies a sense of menace and dread. The core group is self-involved and pretentious in the most annoying ways. Barclay’s pronouncements about how/why the word “guest” is offensive make viewers want to punch him in his perfectly coiffed head. It is also so ridiculous it’s hilarious, which is the point. Things heat up considerably once Isaac shows up and throws the plans into a tizzy. Why did Lexxi bring a gun with her? It is this balance between comedy and tension that makes the film work so well.
Of course, not every joke lands. The bit about looping a noose around a chosen tree goes so long it stops being amusing. Also, in the moment, some characterizations are questionable or seem off. A twist, which isn’t too difficult to suss out, actually rectifies this, but that reveal is in the last 15 minutes or so.
The cast of Unfriending all understood the assignment. Meldrum is charming but also hateable. Jetsun is sweet in a trying-too-hard way, which works remarkably well for the character. Pearson is hilarious every time he opens his mouth. Vittoria’s put-upon disbelief is fun to witness. Lauzon and Madison are both quite fun. Spencer brings the required seriousness to sell Darby’s various turns. Stone is perfect as the meek man whose existence is so annoying to others that they wish him dead.
Unfriending has a few jokes that don’t land. Plus, it is far more of a thriller, so adjust expectations accordingly. But once audiences know what kind of movie they’re getting, they’ll surely be entertained. The filmmakers balance the humor and tension nicely, and the cast is superb.
"…balance the humor and tension nicely..."
