Review of Nerve (2016) by Carfan1999 — 11 Aug 2016

Nerve has major elements that work and many that simply don't work. What works is the concept and the message. The concept of a truth or dare mobile phone game is both smart, original, and relevant to today. I feel something like this could happen for real in the future and there are enough dumb people that would play this. The message is how people get desensitized online and how certain actions can mean big consequences. Like the concept, this message is important, original, and relates to today's world. This film shows the dangers of social media and how simple actions can impact people. Overall, the concept is original and the message is important. Not to mention the nice neon- colored cinematography of New York City that gives an interesting look to the city and improves the overall production.

What fails on Nerve is that everything else is mediocre. The actors don't convey much emotion and all the characters are all teen stereotypes. It feels like the teens in this were thought up by adults who think they know how teens act. The characters don't feel authentic and aren't worth rooting for. As a thriller, there is little edge- of- your seat action or shocking moments. The conclusion is very predictable and cops- out in an overly safe manner. In addition, while the first two acts were believable; the third act jumps the shark. The plot becomes contrived and completely unbelievable things happen. Overall, Nerve has a nicely original concept and a good message. This is let down by one- note characters, mediocre acting, and a crazy third act that leads to a overly safe ending. Think of Nerve as a PG- 13 Disney Channel movie.