The latest social media influencer horror film for our time, following in the footsteps of the ridiculous Spree. But instead of another Instagram serial killer, Shook follows its would-be damsel, social media star Mia (Daisye Tutor). Taking a night off from makeup tutorials and self-hype, Mia tries to ease a guilty conscience by doing a favour for her older sister; dog-sitting, in the old family home. A quiet night in turns out to be anything but as prank calls from a creepy neighbour soon escalate to death threats and a missing dog. Alas, Mia has been using her phone as a tool for style tips and selfies for so long that she seems to have forgotten that one can also use it as a device to call for help.
When a Stranger Calls for the Snapchat/Tik Tok/insert social media of choice/ generation, this stylish thriller goes all in on its hook. Thankfully, it’s not another laptop/phone screen found footager à la Unfriended or Spree, and director Jennifer Harrington has some clever ways of integrating various modes of chat into the movie. The story and its lingo are geared to younger audiences, but there’s a solid genre film beneath the social media trappings.
Part Saw, part Scream – and even a little bit modern Giallo – this is a surprisingly stylish take on the stalker subgenre. From the slowed-down cover of Girls Just Want to Have Fun to its wacky opening kill, Shook throws down some interesting vibes along with its standard-fare schlock. Its embarrassing, begging-to-be-outdated obsession with social media will likely alienate swathes of any potential audience, but it should leave viewers somewhat shaken, all the same.