October Horror Movie Challenge - We’re All Going To The World’s Fair (2021)

 

Plot

Casey is a lonely teenager that lives with her widowed father. Like many teens, immerses herself in vlogging and online trends. The lines between reality and fantasy begin to blend when she participates in the viral online game We're All Going To The World's Fair.

Review

I have a feeling this movie will probably be the odd duck in the movies I watch for the challenge this year. We're All Going To The World's Fair is a coming of age horror-drama piece. The protagonist Casey is a young and innocent seeming girl who decides to take place in a Candyman-like viral challenge. She completes the ritual for a video and then starts to lose herself in the process. Throughout the film, we're presented with videos of other participants who seem to slowly be losing their grip on reality and changing. Casey seems to go through similar changes. She's eventually contacted by JLB, another player of the game.

There are a few different levels or horror and suspense in the flick. Casey seems to slowly be losing her mind as the game goes. Her videos become more erratic and worrisome. Additionally JLB comes across as an awkward internet stalker. When more is revealed about his true identity, this feeling of unease increases dramatically.

This film taps into the CreepyPasta/viral challenge aspect of the internet and I appreciate that. There are several scene transitions that look like a loading icon and this was a clever choice. While there are only two characters in the film that have any significant screen time, they do an excellent job. Debuting actress, Anna Cobb, is phenomenal as Casey. she really does have a wide-eyed innocence that pulls you in. We don't really get protagonists like that often in horror flicks. In contrast, JLB, played by actor Michael Rogers, comes off as a true creep, especially more is revealed about him. He also seems rather pathetic. 

This one is a slow burn and not for gore hounds. The way it's shot and the soundtrack leans much more into the coming of age indie aspect of the story, rather than the horror parts. It's definitely not for everyone, but I really enjoyed it.

In Your Game

No new gaming material for this indie flick. The idea of a viral game slowing changing those that participate could make for an interesting adventure in a modern horror game though.

New Movies: 6

Others Horror Movies Watched Since Last Post: Daybreakers, Demon Knight, Cockneys vs Zombies

Challenge Total: 14