Friended To Death

Friended to Death is a 2014 American independent comedy film directed by Sarah Smick, starring Ryan Hansen, James Immekus, and Zach McGowan. The movie centers around Michael Harris, a hapless and socially awkward social media devotee who fakes his own death to see who his true friends really are.

The film opens with Michael, a social media marketer, sitting alone in his apartment on his 30th birthday, checking his Facebook page. With no notifications or messages, he realizes that he has no real friends, just Facebook "friends." In a moment of desperation, he decides to fake his own death to see who really cares about him, hoping to generate sympathy and perhaps even gain some real human connections.

Michael enlists the help of his childhood friend Emile, who is a struggling actor, to help him carry out his plan. Emile reluctantly agrees, and the two begin to stage Michael's fake death, taking photos of him "dying" in various locations around town.

As Michael's plan unfolds, he discovers that there are actually people in his life who truly care about him, including his estranged father, his former boss, and a woman he went to high school with, who now owns a coffee shop. However, Michael's plan also brings out some unexpected reactions, including anger and resentment from some of his Facebook "friends" who feel duped by his scheme.

The film also introduces several subplots, including Michael's dysfunctional relationship with his neighbor, who is obsessed with him; Emile's desire to get his big break as an actor; and Michael's rocky relationship with his father, who left him and his mother when he was young.

The movie is a satirical take on modern society's obsession with social media and virtual connections, highlighting the importance of real human connections and the dangers of relying solely on online interactions. It captures the absurdity of our modern-day culture and the way we present ourselves online versus our true selves.

The acting in the movie is solid, with Ryan Hansen delivering a standout performance as the socially awkward Michael. James Immekus and Zach McGowan also give strong performances as Michael's friend and neighbor, respectively.

The film's humor is sharp and witty, playing on the idea that social media has created a facade of superficial connections that can disappear as quickly as they are formed. There are many laugh-out-loud moments throughout the movie, and the story never takes itself too seriously, making it a highly entertaining and enjoyable watch.

Overall, Friended to Death is a cleverly written and well-acted film that offers a humorous commentary on our society's obsession with social media and the importance of real human connections. It is a movie that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, making it a must-see for anyone looking for a good laugh and some food for thought about the impact of technology on our lives.