Death of a Vlogger (2019) Review – A Sharp Social Media Satire
Death of a Vlogger: Quick Verdict
The Verdict: A clever and socially relevant found footage mockumentary that prioritises psychological fallout over traditional jump scares. Death of a Vlogger succeeds as a biting satire of our “always online” culture, exploring the blurred lines between authenticity and viral manipulation. While it may disappoint those seeking a high-octane horror experience, the film provides a compelling mystery that keeps the viewer guessing about the reality of the events depicted. Graham Hughes delivers a grounded performance as a man caught in a cycle of internet fame and vitriol, though the middle act’s pivot away from horror elements might test the patience of some genre purists. It is a 3 star effort that feels like a more comedic, Scottish companion piece to Lake Mungo, offering plenty of insight and a few genuine laughs. It isn’t a masterclass in terror, but it is a thoughtful and innovative take on the modern influencer era.
Details: Director: Graham Hughes | Cast: Graham Hughes, Annabel Logan, Paddy Kondracki, Joma West | Runtime: 1h 28m | Release Date: 6 July 2019
Best for: Fans of mockumentaries, viewers interested in social media psychology, and those who enjoy “slow-burn” mysteries over typical slashers.
Worth noting: Director Graham Hughes actually shot the film on a remarkably low budget, often using his own flat as the primary location, which adds to the mockumentary’s sense of realism.
Where to Watch: Amazon🛒, Tubi (Free)
Rating: 3/5 Stars
(A thoughtful mystery with a strong social message, but slightly lacking in genuine horror thrills.)
Welcome to Knockout Horror. Today we will be reviewing Graham Hughes’ found footage horror Death of a Vlogger.
Table of Contents
Found footage YouTube style mockumentary
That’s really the best way to describe Death of a Vlogger. Following the story of popular vlogger Graham (Graham Hughes) experiencing internet backlash after his video of an alleged haunting goes viral, this movie is presented as something of a mockumentary of the process, and fallout, of creating a social media video that gains immense popularity. The thing that people seem to be missing is that Death of a Vlogger really isn’t a horror movie.
Of course, it has a few scares here and there, and the themes at play are firmly routed in horror. But the movie is far more focused on the social, and psychological, ramifications of existing as part of an always online generation. The impact a vicious, and unforgiving, internet community can have on a person and the things that drive content creators to produce videos.
Not really a horror movie
The scares here might best be described as fan service. Something to keep the movie on track for a horror audience but utterly inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. Death of a Vlogger could have existed with no horror elements at all; its story really doesn’t depend on it. With this in mind, if you go into this movie looking for scares, you may be disappointed. If you are looking for laughs, however, you will definitely find a few as Death of a Vlogger has a very keen sense of humour.
“The scares here might best be described as fan service; something to keep the movie on track for a horror audience but utterly inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.”
There’s a key moment, around halfway in, that pushes the horror completely to one side for almost the entire remaining length of the film. From a horror perspective, this decision is to its detriment but, from a simple storytelling perspective, it makes sense.
Lake Mungo does something similar and suffers the same consequences but I think the story and production style of Lake Mungo affords it more leeway. It is easier to be drawn back in when the horror kicks back up a notch. I think, for some viewers, Death of a Vlogger will push its luck a little too hard leading to them becoming disinterested, feeling misled, or simply switching the movie off.
An interesting mystery
For people who are willing to dig a little deeper than scares and horror, Death of a Vlogger has something else to offer. There is an interesting mystery at the core of this movie – a constant question of whether the events being depicted actually happened or whether they were being faked for publicity. The movie presents us with interviews with friends of our protagonist, investigators and people who have worked with Graham. Some support him, others doubt him, and some claim to have inside knowledge on just what took place during the infamous haunting incident.
We gradually learn more about Graham and what took place on the night in question, with the movie occasionally presenting us with major pieces of exposition that, effectively, turn the mystery on its head. One of the big problems here is continuity. Some of these moments of exposition, unfortunately, can undermine earlier parts of the movie.
It feels a little messy. It can even lead you to question why this documentary would be being made at all. The strong ending brings it back together, but it is impossible not to feel a bit thrown off in parts.
“It demonstrates the realities of becoming too wrapped up in social media. The internet is a harsh place; people are quick to judge and slow to forget.”
It’s pretty clear that the most poignant and relevant element of Death of a Vlogger is its message. It demonstrates the realities of becoming too wrapped up in the world of social media. Along with the very real-world ramifications of that obsession. Something many people can relate to and something that many have learned the hard way. The internet is a harsh and brutal place; people are quick to judge and slow to forget. When people feel taken advantage of they will be quick to do everything they can to ruin your life.
Acting is mixed
Acting is a bit of a mixed bag. The characters here don’t have a tremendous amount of depth but they are developed personalities. Our star, Graham, played by Graham Hughes, is an online prankster with a social media following. Hughes does a decent job with the character. It can, sometimes, be difficult to imagine Graham actually becoming a popular online personality. He just doesn’t feel very unique. Graham is a very ordinary guy and Hughes can seem a little uncomfortable on camera, at times.
Paddy Kondracki, as ghost investigator Steve, is a bit of a different story. His character is a “dialled up to 11” parody of some of the ghost hunting personalities we have been exposed to in the UK. Kondracki has some of the funnier moments of the film, prompting a good few laughs and having some great lines. But I think that speaks more to the writing of these specific lines than his delivery. He is fairly awkward on screen for much of the movie, seeming inexperienced and ill at ease with playing an eccentric online personality. He warms up as the movie goes on but is mediocre for much of its length.
The strongest performances come from Annabel Logan, as Graham’s girlfriend Erin, and Joma West, as Alice. Logan and West both seem far more comfortable on camera and far more experienced. Joma West gives an effective and confident performance in a very entertaining role. I have heard people complain that the character’s thick Scottish accents get in the way here. I didn’t really have that problem.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The Good
- Social Commentary: The film provides an excellent look at the toxic nature of internet celebrity and the psychological toll of viral backlash.
- The Mystery: The “is it real or fake?” hook is consistently engaging and provides a solid backbone for the narrative.
- Female Performances: Annabel Logan and Joma West provide the film’s most naturalistic and professional acting.
The Bad
- Lack of Scares: As a horror film, it is fairly toothless, with many of the spooky moments feeling tacked on or secondary to the drama.
- Continuity Gaps: Some pieces of the late-movie exposition contradict earlier established facts, making the timeline feel slightly messy.
- Steve the Investigator: While funny as a parody, the performance can be a bit too “broad” and amateurish compared to the rest of the cast.
The Ugly: The Viral Cycle. The film effectively portrays how quickly the internet moves from worshipping a creator to wanting to destroy their life for perceived dishonesty.
Should You Watch Death of a Vlogger?
Yes, as long as you adjust your expectations. It is a 3 star mystery that uses the found footage format for something more than just cheap thrills. If you want a movie that makes you think about our relationship with the internet while providing a few chuckles along the way, this is definitely worth a stream. However, if you are looking for the next *Exorcist*, you will likely be left wanting.
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