Director: Zachary Donohue
Starring: Melanie Papalia, David Schlachtenhaufen and Adam Shapiro
Duration: 81 minutes
Well, I’ve read an eclectic mix of amazing reviews to downright shoddy reviews about this film, so I’ve kind of just not bothered watching it as soon as I should have. But alas, it was finally the right time to find out what truth the reviews about The Den hold. I know many people aren’t into the whole found footage thing, but honestly, they really make me feel like I’m there. For me, that just makes the entire endeavour more pulse racing. However, the found footage aspect is given a slightly different twist, so you haters might, just might, enjoy it.
We follow Elizabeth, a University student studying social media, who plans on engaging with as many different people online for her dissertation. The site she uses to interact is called The Den and is similar to the well-known ChatRoulette. You know you’ve been on there. You know it wasn’t pretty. It seems there isn’t the abundance of distinct individuals that Elizabeth was hoping for and she soon begins to feel the project is slipping away. That is until she witnesses the harsh murder of a young girl whom she previously and briefly spoke with. Events quickly spiral into something seriously sinister as she frantically tries to find out the truth.
The online world can be a dark dungeon full of unthinkable characters, and The Den is a big reminder that you never really know who you’re talking to. We watch through Elizabeth’s computer and phone, so it almost feels as if you’re on the computer. It’s a strange viewing experience to begin with, but it creates this realistic feel, especially for obsessed and frequent Internet users such as myself. An ultimate fear of mine is being on facetime or webcam and being told that there’s something behind you, or spotting it in the little picture. Instant dread. The shots can be iffy at times and you could argue the point of why would she film that, but I’d rather that than a blank screen. It pushes realism with the fact it feels like it’s happening real time on your computer.
The overall story was interesting and kept you on your toes with a few twists and some very tense scenes. There were a fair few “He’s behind you!” moments, but those are often the ones that really get you anxious, because you know they’re oblivious. Every character had quite a well fleshed out personality, which definitely helps to push the film in the right direction. As The Den nears the end, the violence takes a gruesome leap forwards and we begin to realise that the current horror is not a small scale something.
The unknown perpetrators not only use violence, but they expertly hack Elizabeth’s computer and play games with her. No, I’m not on about words with friends or candy crush. They set her webcam to record whilst her boyfriend is getting his munch on – so always remember to shut the screen down kids! Nothing is more horrific than that, until you find out it was sent to the top cats that funded your social project. That’s having a bad day.
Criticised for over exaggerating on the perils of the Internet, I disagree as growing up in the digital age leaves us continuously trusting anonymous people online. We share a staggering amount of information about ourselves, without really thinking of the complications that could ever arise from it. It may not be your conventional horror, and possibly it does push the reality a tad, but it makes it fucking scary, and that’s the point.
After watching this, I considered how many of you lovely lot could be serial killers, but I’m fairly convinced there’s not one amongst you. Nether the less, they could possibly show this in schools and make the kids shit themselves with fear of Twitter users without profile pictures or Instagram accounts with no selfless. The Den is a fresh, captivating film for those of you who find the subgenre of found footage compelling and chilling.
Verdict: 4 out of 5
Zobo With A Shotgun | Horror movies, reviews, podcasts, videos and more 
Hi! I liked this movie too! I thought it was pretty refreshing for the found footage shit….
Great post!
#thursdayafternoonfondling #thursdaygroping #thursdaykidnapping
Yes, so refreshing for the found footage genre! It was pretty scary! #latenightreplies #thursdaygroping #kidnapper
I’ll kidnap you! #aboutreadyforbed #latenightthinkies #sleepyhugs #vansandmasks
Yay! #excited #kidnaplovestory #sleepytime
SWEET! #dreamscometrue #wetdreams #slipperymorninggropes
#wetdreamsaremadeofthese #dreamlandgrope
#youknowit #imgladyoureback #gropeyfondles
#imgladimback #idohavetogoagainsoon #fondoodle
I guess I’ll just have to kidnap you and bring you here so we’ll be on the same time….
#letsdothis
I’m going for a long walk in the woods so it’s pretty much the perfect place to kidnap me! Excited! #getthevan
I’M ON IT!!!!
#getinthevan
#dontmaketrouble
#everythingwillbeallright
#vantimes
#shutupanddrive
#letsdothis
#imready
#exceptforthefactthatiliveinanothercountry
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HAHAHAHA!!! Made in a pond!!
#madeinthebackofacar
#ithink
Hhahahaha nice!
#ihopeitwasabloodygoodcar
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HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!
#fuckyeahbaby
Great review Zoe! Gave me a good idea about the film but also made me laugh (I think I’d prefer a cheese sandwich too!)
I’d definitely watch this!!!!
And I promise I’m not a serial killer 🙂
Thankies so much!! Yeah, cheese sandwiches taste far better I imagine! Yes, I think you’ll like this one 🙂
You’re too lovely to be a serial killer!
I had a few cheese sandwiches over the weekend! (living it up!!!) mustard AND chutney…!!!!
Oh wow, they sound lush! I actually love mustard and chutney! Hope you had a cheesy Easter weekend 🙂
I did, I did! Hope you did also? 🙂
Cheesy Easter is soooo much better than a chocolate Easter! I bought a multipack of McCoys in protest!!!!
🙂
Glad to hear you did! Yes, I did also – was very busy at it was my Dad’s birthday!
Definitely! I asked for no chocolate and ended up with 6 eggs… I’ve been hiding it so it looks like i’ve eaten it haha.
I LOVE McCoys! Yeah, your crisp Easter sounds awesome 😛
Brilliant, I hope you both had a great time! It was my grandad’s birthday too so we both had awesome birthdays to help celebrate!! ❤
6 EGGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If they're not crème eggs then you have a lot of munching to do 🙂
I'm dangerous when I buy multipacks of crisps…..they don't last long!!!!
Awh, I hope your Grandad had a lovely birthday too – and I hope you had a nice time. Yes, we had the best birthdays 🙂 ❤
They're not even creme eggs! I've managed to demolish two, and the rest are hidden as I'm already feeling sick.
We should have a crisp party! My favourite multipack is Monster Munch!
MONSTER MUNCH!!!! Now…..I do like all the flavours but I have to throw something out there – Roast Beef? My word those crisps are good!
My grandad did have a nice birthday, thank you!! We had breakfast in the morning and then spent the afternoon watching his Gimme, Gimme, Gimme box set (which he specifically asked for….)
You’ve only hidden those eggs so you can have an Easter hunt again!! And what a great idea ha ha 🙂
I hope you enjoy the rest of the chocolate and I’m glad you and your dad had a lovely weekend 🙂 🙂
ROAST BEEF IS MY FAVOURITE FLAVOUR – I’M ADDICTED TO THEM! I’m actually SO glad you said that as it’s never anyone else’s fav!
Awhhh that sounds lovely! Well, Gimme Gimme Gimme is bloody brilliant so I can’t blame your Grandad for wanting to watch it all! He has a good taste 🙂
Hahaha, just doing an Easter egg hunt on my own, I’m even going to dress as a rabbit. Thank you sweetie 🙂
Brilliant review Zoe.
Thank you so much Vin! I think you’d like this one possibly.
Certainly looks very interesting.
It is! You should definitely give it a go. Not gory or anything either 🙂
You don’t think any of us are serial killers?
Have another think…
I don’t think you are, I know you’re a serial killer!
Okay, I’ll let you off… for now…
Save me for later… It’s worth it.
Killing Zoe. BOOM!
Haha! That’s one of my Dad’s favourite films… He bought it and made me watch it ha!
Is that what you’re named after? Your dad might be my best mate!
I haven’t asked, but I have an overwhelming feeling that it is! I reckon you and my Dad would get along very, very well.
I hope you know I’m using you to get to him!
I did get the feeling I was being used…
This movie was just something I found on Netflix.. and it BLEW my mind! It was such a great story and I loved the interesting cinematography! Scared me for sure…..
It blew my mind too! I’d heard so many bad things, yet I thought it was brilliant. The cinematography was so real… I kept thinking I was on my computer whilst it was happening!
Hey there! I just stumbled across your blog and I LOVE it! I saw this movie a little while ago and I really liked it too. I wasn’t expecting much and it was actually very good. Great review!
Thank you ever so much! I was expecting it to be poor and was pleasantly surprised! It turns out to pack quite a punch!