This documentary about a creepy-pasta character & the attempt murder in his name will give you, the creeps. That's for sure. Talk about a disturbing pasta-aggressive behavior
Over the past years, a horror stories website call 'Creepypasta', has given us, some of the biggest scares; ranging from tales of 'Jeff the Killer' to 'Ted the Caver'. However, none of them, have had, much of an impact, as 'the Slender Man', has. Originally, as an odd photo entry in an old school Photoshop contest by the 'Something Awful' comedy forums in 2009. Eric Knudsen AKA Victor Surge's creation has grown to become, an internet phenomenon, appearing in fan art, video games, literature, and even a couple of short films. Described as a tall, thin man with a blank face and tentacle-like arms. Urban legend maintains that Slenderman preys on children and has teleportation powers. While, most people, including children, understood that that mysterious being was not real. It didn't stop, two 12 year girls, Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier from stabbing their friend, Payton "Bella" Leutner to prove critics and skeptic wrong, about his existence in 2014. Without spoiling, too much of it, this HBO documentary directed by Irene Taylor Brodsky, hope to explain, how, this tragic event came to be, and the results from it. For the most part, I have to say, this documentary indeed, was captivating. I like, how the film explore the internet mythos of the creature, and what made the make-believe being, so popular. I also, love, how the film, dig deep into the mental health of the two girls and why they thought, murdered, was the gateway to contacting the mythical creature. However, the film is without a few flaws. One of the biggest complains, about the film, is how much time, is spent on, building a defense case for the girls, by not guilty, by reason of insanity, and little time is spent on the opinions from the prosecutors. Even, the victim and her family was not interviewed. Because of that, the film does feel, a bit one-sided, in a plea of insanity. Regardless, of the facts, if the girls were truly insane or not, the film does tend to have two much, interviews with the parents of the two perpetrators; that it seems like there is a lot of repetition statements, being said, throughout the documentary, without much of anything new, being stated. It really does hurt the pacing of the film. It's bad, enough that the film intercuts dumb short, internet videos into the documentary that could be, cut, a little bit. After all, what does, a video about the worst toaster in the world, has to do or a guy making a sandwich, and flushing it, down the toilet, have to do with anything? Those two, don't really help, one bit, in showing the disturbing and foretelling signs of the girls, or their compassion side. Another problem, with the film is the fact that the case was not yet, resolved, when filming, started. Perhaps, if the film-maker waited for the trial to end, and the sentence, given. We could had a better all-around conclusion on what was going on. Besides the case, the film doesn't really explain, in detail, who Slenderman truly is. One of the biggest things, they didn't mention, was the fact that, graphic violence and body horror are very uncommon in a Slender Man story, with many narratives choosing to leave the fate of his victims obscure or unknown. I guess, the movie cut that fact, out, to make it, seem like the girls and the Slender Man stories, were more connected. Even, some of the videos and literature, that the movie uses as visual and hearing aids was in fact, not relate to the Creepypasta lore. One good example of this, is footage from 2011's 'Watcher' series. Also, I hate the fact that this movie didn't get an interview with creator, Eric Knudsen or anybody from Creepypasta. It could been nice to see, what they thought about the stabbings. Also, call it, nitpicking, but I though the film could had been stronger, if it introduce other incidents in the story, like the 2014's Port Richey arson, and 2015's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, attempt suicide pact. To make it seem, less isolated. Overall: While, I wouldn't put this HBO documentary, anywhere near being call, a masterpiece. I do think, some of the critics, here, have underrated it, due to its one-sided message. In the end, while, this movie does have flaws, it also indeed shows that real life is as spooky as and stranger than fiction. In the end, I seen worst documentaries than this. This one is nowhere near those awful levels. This chilling insight look at the dark side of the digital age is worth checking out. It will give you, nightmares.score 7/10
ironhorse_iv 25 June 2017
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3738479/35650
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