Review of Cam (2018) by Blah Blah B — 16 Nov 2018

This really surprised me in just how intelligent it actually comes off. It's a techno-thriller that's largely a character study of an internet "cam girl" who has her identity stolen by...who knows what. It's very Black Mirror.

This shows how the internet does wonders for one's self esteem. Or it can. A lot of the time, what someone is like online may not be how they are in person. It has a way of breaking down personal walls that one builds in their day to day life. Your inhibitions go out the window if you allow them to and, a lot of the time, it's pretty easy to get to that place.

What impressed me the most is the level of tension they're able to build. The anxiety of finding out someone has stolen this internet persona that you've worked really hard to create and what that means for you. Your stream of income is suddenly cut off, your job is gone, your followers are abandoning you and what may be worse is no one believes you. And most just simply don't care because they look down on you or see you as a "whore" for what you've chosen to do for a living. It touches on how technology isn't always reliable or secure and the "help" supposedly provided to you couldn't be less helpful or interested in your plight.

Throw in a virtual doppleganger and a hint of the supernatural and it's actually pretty fucking terrifying. The internet can be a monster that can give you so much and just as easily take it away again.

Madeline Brewer is a fairly new actress, I believe. I've only ever seen her in a few episodes of Orange is the New Black but DAMN is she good in this. Flawlessly moving back and forth between at least 3 different personas here.

It's a very smart, feminist narrative of a young woman trying to figure out who she is and how she fights back when what she has is taken away from her. And that's a hell of a lot more than I ever expected from a Netflix film.

Highly recommended!