Film Review: Spree. Director: Eugene Kotlyarenko.

 

The current times are addressed by many as the most pretentious times. However, ostentation has been a part of the human race ever since the inception of the human race itself. The only difference is that in earlier times, people bought things they did not need to impress people they did not like, and the ostentation was materialistic in nature, whereas in today's times where most people are broke, the only affordable ostentation is that of affability and friendliness, and what better to determine the affability quotient than the number of followers on social media. 

Kurt is an active instagrammer with many talents and no personal life, but does not have even ten followers. Like every other youngster, he wants people to follow him. He has only one life: the life he shows everyone he has on instagram, and only one goal: that many people watch what he has to show and listen to what he has to say. Things take a different turn when he starts working as a cab-driver in 'Spree'.

The central character of the film may appear to be Kurt, but the actual protagonist of this film is its premise: thirst for validation, and the horrors that befall a person when they succumb to this thirst. The audience would definitely be eager and enthused as they watch this film and would be on the edge of their seats as they watch what ensues as Kurt, the cab-driver interacts with his riders. 

The film has a grim aura and is abounded with dark moments, leaving no room for any form of levity. The film is largely introspective in the sense that as the audience envisages Kurt's journey, they cannot help but ask themselves regarding their own social media use and their contribution in handing over fame to knaves. In a world where everyone wants to be famous and have a number of followers, hard-work and talent are cheapened, in which 'influencer-culture' and 'roast-culture' have an active part.

'Spree' is definitely a forethought dystopia. As we see Kurt's personality sickening with every live-stream on instagram, and the standard of his content taking a downward turn, not from bad to worse but from lame to cruel, the audience would definitely be scared and astounded. Scared, not because of some evil ghost or apparition, but because of the accurate portrayal of a futuristic reality. 

A major highlight of 'Spree' is its impeccable characterization of differences:

The difference between want and need and what happens when a want becomes a need, and;

The difference between having the desire to be famous for an individual's talent and expertise and the obsession for validation to extenuate an individual's innermost insecurities. 

Joe Keery, who plays the weird and psychotic Kurt has done a convincing and fantastic job. Joshua Ovalle, who plays the condescending, snooty and self-centered teenager influencer Bobby has also left no stone unturned in his great performance. Sasheer Zamata, who plays the really funny and authentic comedienne, Jessie Adams steals the show with her ground-breaking acting. The direction of the film is real and no moment seems exaggerated. Kurt's actions, as irrational as they may be, do not seem random at all.

While on the one hand, we see many activists fighting for the purpose of safeguarding our right to privacy, we as social media users on the other hand divulge all our vital information on these sites without a second thought. Are the creators of these platforms right in addressing these platforms as "social" media sites, when all that they purport to do is drastically different? Agreed that these platforms have given livelihoods to many,  but with it comes a curse. 

Overall, 'Spree' is a very important film that every parent, every youngster, every social media user, every counselor and therapist must watch for the true state of affairs it shows. 

MY TAKE: 7/10

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Author: Ms. Radhika Sunil Vaidya. 

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