Nerve (2016)

Review

96min

Genre:      Mystery, Thriller, Romance

Director:   Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman

Cast:        Emma Roberts, Dave Franco, Juliette Lewis…and more

Writers:    Jeanne Ryan and Jessica Sharzer

-Synopsis-

A timid high-school senior meets a young stranger and unleashes her inner free-spirit after getting caught up in a mysterious interactive online dare game as a player, where the “watchers” are king; but when things take a sinister turn and her life is held hostage, the only way out is to win in this thriller based on the bestselling novel by Jeanne Ryan.

Emma Roberts and Dave Franco star as two young strangers in New York who are meant to be so much more; brought together by circumstance in a manipulative and voyeuristic underground online game of escalating dares with great rewards but dire consequences, in what essentially is a highly contemporary youth culture thriller with a socially conscious twist.

At first glance ‘Nerve’ might seem like your typical modern teen flick, and thanks to a cast of pretty but forgettable “cool kids” playing one-note characters in a highly stylized fast-paced narrative, in many ways it is. But the execution belies the interesting social message in the novel which just about translates to the screen in an entertaining if unsubtle way.

‘Nerve’  is not the first film to expose the dangers of our obsession and increasing reliance on communication technology, just look at the slew of social media horror flicks for a recent example; and it’s certainly not the first to feature dystopian and dangerous games, consider 1987’s ‘The Running Man’ to ‘The Hunger Games’ and everything in between.

But ‘Nerve’ manages to combine a study on the complexities of growing up in a society where our relationship with technology is becoming symbiotic, with a fast paced little urban thriller which just about keeps you engaged throughout, despite an underwhelming 3rd act which culminates in a preachy and predictable wrap up.

Directors  Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman craft a narrative which speaks to Millennials in their language using  their iconography, managing to skim the surface of complex issues in our society. Referencing everything from social media and celebrity culture, to cyber warfare and “hacktivism”; most importantly though they paint a picture of a generation which despite being technologically connected, is becoming psychologically detached and losing its sense of collective and personal responsibility.

‘Nerve’ is by no means a masterful parable or a brilliantly scathing satire about the state of current youth culture and the world around it, this is a fairly simple and simplistic flashy teen thriller which is unlikely to make a lasting impact, or anyone in it an overnight star. But it has more than enough interesting components, adequately executed, coupled with an even pace and solid enough momentum to make it an enjoyable cinematic experience.

The Bottom Line…

Whilst not blessed with unforgettable characters or an abundance of substance, ‘Nerve’ boasts enough tense thrills to keep you gripped even through a disappointing 3rd act; this might look like flashy “Millennial” fodder but it has something to say and is worth at least your divided attention.

Similar films you may like (Home Video)

Disconnect (2012)

The lives of disparate people are uncomfortably brought together through social media as dirty family secrets are exposed in this cautionary tale about the dangers of our obsession with technology, in a more technologically connected but emotionally detached world.

Directed by  Henry Alex Rubin and starring Jason Bateman, Alexander Skarsgård and Paula Patton among others.

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