CREDIT: WARNER BROS. PICTURES
Friend request is a gruesome film that shows a supernatural, yet slight reminder of the dark side of social media.

Taking a look at the supernatural and terrifying realm of just how terrifying social media can be if you're not careful.

Originally released in Germany in 2016, Canada was finally graced with the latest social media horror film. Friend Request, directed by Simon Verhoeven, does an excellent job at shedding light on some of the real life horrors associated with social media and the dark web while incorporating a pretty creepy witchcraft, supernatural twist. Not to be confused with the 2014 film, Unfriended, Friend Request goes above and beyond to showcase some pretty horrifying content.

It all started with a simple friend request that the popular college student Laura, played by Alycia Debnam-Carey, accepted from a social outcast. Once things start getting weird and the cyber stalking becomes all too real, Laura unfriends Marina Nedifar (notice her last name is an anagram for “a friend”). This is when Laura finds herself facing a demonic presence whose main goal is to make her feel as lonely as she felt and ultimately deplete her friend list to zero.

The worst thing a horror movie can do is drag on and on with little suspension, but where Friend Request definitely wins, is in its ability to keep the story line going and keep you on the edge of your seat. Throughout the string of pretty brutal, yet creative death scenes, you aren't even given the chance to regather yourself before the next one happens. All it takes is for that extended cellphone notification “bing” to go off and you know you're in for another intense scene. To some, this may amp up the suspense, but for others it could be their saving grace (knowing when to get ready to cover their eyes). Even though the movie has a strong supernatural feel to it, it avoids getting too corny and features some pretty gruesome and believable imagery, visual effects and special effects makeup. On top of that, it keeps your interest peeked with some interesting stories of black mirrors, witchcraft and rituals with a technological twist. That being said, those who are looking for more of a real life social media horror film, may be disappointed as this is far from realistic.

Where the film falls a bit short is in its character development. We get a bit of an insight on Laura's life, but the rest of her friends remain somewhat of a mystery and simply serve as extra bodies. If more of a connection was made with these characters, the film could have been that much better.

If you haven't had a chance to see Friend Request yet, I would definitely recommend this movie for horror fans, as well as those who find interest in the supernatural. While providing some pretty intense thrills, we are still given a scary insight on how horrifying social media and the dark web can be, whether it be supernatural or not. We all can take something away from some of the prominent messages found in Friend Request.