Deadcon

Deadcon is a 2019 horror movie directed by Caryn Waechter and written by Scotty Landes. The film stars YouTube personalities Lauren Elizabeth, Claudia Sulewski, and Keith Machekanyanga in the lead roles. Deadcon is a cautionary tale about the dangers of the internet and social media, as it tells the story of a group of YouTube stars who attend a convention in a haunted hotel and fall prey to a vengeful spirit.

The movie follows social media influencers, Tatiana (Lauren Elizabeth), Khaled (Keith Machekanyanga), and Sky (Claudia Sulewski), as they travel to New Orleans to attend the world's largest social media convention, "Deadcon." The convention is held in a hotel that is known to be haunted, and rumors abound that the ghosts of previous guests still haunt the rooms.

Despite the warnings, the three friends decide to stay at the hotel, eager to gain followers and create new content. As they begin to explore the hotel, strange things start to happen. Cameras malfunction, doors open and shut by themselves, and a sinister presence seems to be watching them.

As the convention kicks off, the friends become more focused on their personal interests and begin to splinter off. Tatiana meets a fan who is obsessed with her, while Khaled tries to impress a prominent sponsor. Sky, who is secretly battling depression, begins to feel isolated and left out.

As they navigate their personal lives, the paranormal activity intensifies, and the friends discover that they are not alone in the hotel. They encounter the ghost of a young girl who has a connection to the hotel's dark past. As the ghost grows more violent and vengeful, the friends realize that they must band together to survive the haunting.

The color palette of the movie uses a greenish tint which gives it an eerie feel. The setting, a creepy hotel, adds to the foreboding atmosphere of the movie. The special effects were done to add to the horror and create jump scares, and they are effectively executed.

The performances of the three leads, Lauren Elizabeth, Claudia Sulewski, and Keith Machekanyanga, are decent, and the actors play their roles well, with Lauren Elizabeth being particularly commendable. However, the supporting cast could have been better developed for a more immersive and engaging experience.

The film's theme of social media, the rise to fame, and how it affects mental health are relevant issues that the film tries to address. The movie makes a point about how social media can take a toll on mental health, and how people often try to put up a facade to seem happy or popular on social media but are not truly happy on the inside. It emphasizes the pressure to be in the limelight constantly and the anxiety that comes with it.

In summary, Deadcon is a decent horror movie that has its moments of horror and intrigue. The use of social media and the theme of mental health is a good touch that adds depth to the story. While the supporting characters could have been better developed, the movie manages to keep the audience engaged throughout. If you're a fan of horror movies that mix real-life issues with the supernatural, then Deadcon is worth checking out.