Deadstream (2022) Review – An Inventive and Hilarious Found Footage Riot
Deadstream: Quick Verdict
The Verdict: A brilliantly executed and high-energy found footage horror that successfully bridges the gap between classic creature features and modern digital culture. Deadstream succeeds because of its tightly managed vision, successfully channelling the chaotic “splatterstick” energy of Evil Dead while modernising the format for the Twitch generation. Joseph Winter delivers a pitch-perfect performance as the obnoxious yet strangely watchable Shawn Ruddy, making the character’s desperation for views feel entirely authentic. While the low budget is apparent, the creative use of practical effects and inventive camera placements ensure that the film never feels cheap or uninspired. This 4 star effort is a refreshing reminder of how much fun the genre can be when creators prioritise tone and pacing over self-seriousness. Though the humour might not land for everyone and the final act loses a bit of its initial steam, it remains one of the most entertaining and inventive horror movies of recent years. It is a genuine riot that deserves a spot on every horror fan’s watchlist.
Details: Directors: Joseph Winter, Vanessa Winter | Cast: Joseph Winter, Melanie Stone, Jason K. Wixom | Runtime: 1h 27m | Release Date: 2022
Best for: Fans of Evil Dead II, found footage enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates a horror movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously while still delivering on the gore.
Worth noting: The film’s directors, Joseph and Vanessa Winter, were also responsible for the standout segment “To Hell and Back” in the anthology film V/H/S/99.
Where to Watch: Shudder, Amazon🛒
Rating: 4/5 Stars
(A fantastic and fun found footage romp that masterfully blends modern streaming culture with classic, gore-soaked haunted house thrills.)
Welcome to Knockout Horror and to another horror movie review. Today we are taking a look at Shudder original Deadstream.
Highlights
Written, directed, edited by and starring…
The story here is very simple. A disgraced social media personality decides to livestream a night in a haunted house to win back his fans and sponsors. That’s it!
“Deadstream is well aware of the type of horror it wants to be and it never strays from that vision. The result is a horror movie that is a veritable fairground haunted house of pure unadulterated fun.”
The first thing I should point out, here, is just how low budget this movie is. Written, directed, produced and edited by the two-person team of Joseph and Vanessa Winter. You could argue that there is a distinct possibility of our team spreading themselves too thin. Plenty of low-budget productions feel as though they lack focus with some areas being much stronger than others and the movie, as a whole, suffering for it. I’m pleased to say that isn’t the case with Deadstream.
Deadstream benefits from the creators’ tightly managed vision. The involvement of the Winters in all facets of production seems to keep the project completely focused. Deadstream is well aware of the type of horror it wants to be and it never strays from that vision. The result is a horror movie that is a veritable fairground haunted house of pure unadulterated fun.
Deadstream is part of a new style of found footage that seems to have emerged in recent years. Presented as a live stream being viewed over a YouTube-style website, this is found footage for the 2020s. Utilising a mix of traditional found footage techniques with a liberal dose of computer screen “screenlife” horror.
Deadstream follows a blueprint that works incredibly well and will be immediately comfortable, and recognisable, to people who have spent any time online. The protagonist’s background with controversy is something familiar to many influencers. Meaning Ruddy’s motives for undertaking the daunting task at hand feel organic and believable. He needs to do this if he wants his fame back; the advertisers demand it.
Still an effective horror
The risk with this type of presentation is that the horror could be pushed to one side. There would be a serious temptation to make the main character the focus. Deadstream, thankfully, doesn’t fall into that trap. This is a movie that, very much, wants to do things the old-fashioned way and the format is little more than a vehicle for what is, at its heart, a very traditional horror movie. There are distinct Evil Dead vibes here.
It’s full of supernatural beings, spirits, jump scares and everything that made the Evil Dead movies so damn enjoyable. Sure, it isn’t necessarily going to leave you wanting to sleep with the lights on but it does more than enough to be entertaining.
“It is almost a case of asking the question: What would happen if we gave Ash a selfie camera and sent him to the cabin? This is good, old-fashioned, haunted house fun.”
It is almost a case of asking the question “What would happen if we gave Ash a selfie camera and sent him to the cabin?”. This is good, old-fashioned, haunted house fun. You know the kind of thing? Ghosts and decrepit monsters chasing an unfortunately ill-prepared victim-in-waiting type of stuff.
Visually unique
The film’s live-stream presentation sets it apart, visually. Comments fly by every time Shawn checks his stream chat, and his constant interactions with the camera make for effective story exposition. Numerous cameras set up in various rooms add to the scares. Videos sent in by viewers help build tension as well as progressing the story. It’s very effective stuff. It’s nice to see such a fresh take on the found footage genre.
The use of image stabilisation is noteworthy, as well. Despite said presentation, there is no shaky cam here. Sure, shots can be framed a little bizarrely but that’s completely expected when filmed from a head cam by a veritable amateur.
With this being said, however, there is nothing to induce nausea. Scenes are, often, brightly lit and everything looks quite nice. This is never a boring movie to look at. That’s something found footage can be all too guilty of. Deadstream‘s use of selfie cams, POV cameras and live-stream views is very effective.
A mix of the old and new
Ruddy encounters a number of antagonists in his time at the house. Each of them an impressive show of practical effects. Cameras placed throughout the house are referenced to build tension and members of the viewing audience spot things that Ruddy misses which leads to some fun moments featuring Shawn viewing back the footage.
I, particularly, enjoyed the exploration aspect. Ruddy’s journey through the house offers loads of new opportunities for scares and laughs. Of course, it would all be for nought if the person we are following was unbelievable and irritating. But Joseph Winter really nails the live-streamer-type personality.
“Joseph Winter really nails the live-streamer-type personality. He is as self-obsessed, obnoxious, and loud as any of the people that make their crust on Twitch.”
He’s as self-obsessed, obnoxious, and loud as any of the people that make their crust on Twitch. He’s not a particularly likeable character. That is very deliberate, though. The potential for laughs at his expense are fairly high. Laughs which come thick and fast thanks to Deadstream‘s strong comedy focus.
Acting is strong throughout. This is, for the most part, a one-man show. It was nice to see Melanie Stone in a brief, but effective, role. You may know her from Joseph and Vanessa Winter’s recent V/H/S/99 segment “To Hell and Back”. Directing is decent.
This is a fairly tight production and the runtime of 87 minutes is spot on. It doesn’t feel too long and the action remains consistent for much of that length. The live-stream presentation is perfectly done; this wouldn’t feel out of place on Twitch or YouTube. Ruddy’s interactions with the audience feel genuine and the comments can also be quite funny. All in all, it’s technically very sound.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The Good
- Inventive Presentation: The live-stream format is utilised perfectly, adding a layer of meta-commentary and interactivity that feels fresh and engaging.
- Practical Effects: The creature designs and gore are wonderfully tactile and fun, channelling a retro horror vibe that is often missing from modern digital productions.
- Joseph Winter: His performance as Shawn Ruddy is a masterclass in playing a character that is simultaneously irritating and incredibly entertaining.
The Bad
- Uneven Climax: The final twenty-five minutes lose some of the razor-sharp focus seen in the first two acts, resulting in a slightly messy conclusion.
- Subjective Humour: As with any horror comedy, the jokes won’t land for everyone, and those who dislike the “streamer” persona may find it grating.
- Minimal Scares: While the film is high in tension and fun, it prioritises entertainment over genuine, lingering terror or nightmare fuel.
The Ugly: The “Internet Comment” Realism. The film captures the toxic and often absurd nature of live-stream chats with such accuracy that it might give some creators genuine anxiety.
Should You Watch Deadstream?
Yes. It is a 4 star film that represents some of the most fun you can have with a horror movie this year. Whether you are a fan of found footage or just miss the wacky energy of 80s creature features, Deadstream delivers on all fronts. It is a tight, focused, and genuinely funny project that proves you don’t need a massive budget to make a high-quality genre film. Don’t miss out.
Our Scoring Philosophy: A Fair Fight
Horror is a genre that thrives thanks to indie film makers and low budget creators. At Knockout Horror, we firmly believe that every movie that we review deserves a fair fight. That's why we grade on a curve. Our star ratings are all about context, judging a film on what it achieves with the resources it has.
A 4-star rating for a scrappy indie horror made for $10,000 is a testament to its ingenuity and raw power. A 4-star rating for a $100 million blockbuster means it delivered on its epic promises. We don't compare them side-by-side; we celebrate success in every weight class, from the back-alley brawler to the heavyweight champion. Please keep this in mind when considering star ratings.
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