Netflixhas produced dozens of original films since they started making their own content, but one excellent horror film slipped through the cracks. Despite going up against stiff competition from more traditional Hollywood sources, Netflix’s foray into original movies was an almost immediate success. After hosting classic movies and recent releases, the streamer began making their own content that has rivaled the other studios in terms of quality and popularity. Horror has always been a popular genre with moviegoers, and the red brand has made their fair share of spine-tingling original films.
Whether it was Stephen King adaptations like1922, or the pop culture phenomenon that wasBird Box,Netflix’s output of horror filmshas grown. Unfortunately, Netflix is also a massive platform with hundreds of options to choose from, and that means that movies and shows get buried almost immediately upon release. Netflix originals tend to fare a bit better, but even excellent films get washed away in an ocean of new content that is put up on the streamer on a weekly basis. One such horror film from 2018 is a true hidden gem, but it’s worth digging up.
What Makes Cam Such A Good Horror Movie
A Realistic & Modern Horror Experience
2018’sCamdropped on Netflix and largely faded away, despite the fact that it scored high marks from critics across the board. Unlike the usual Netflix movies which tend to lean toward tongue-in-cheek horror or more straightforward narratives,Camis a surreal horror experience that doesn’t hold the audience’s hand throughout the story, and challenges them to think.E-horror is not really anything new, but director Daniel Goldhaber and writer Isa Mazzei approached the subject with knowledge and understanding, andan appreciation for the complexities of modern internet culture.
The terror comes from Alice finding her personality stripped away, which offers subtle commentary on the dehumanizing effect of modern life.
Madeline Brewer’s character, Alice, is no mere caricature, and her struggles are quite human. Horror films have a history of mishandling women’s issues, and sex is usually analyzed through a moralistic lens.Camis completely different because it treats Alice with respect, which in turn actually makes the story much scarier because the audience wants her to succeed.The internet world that Alice inhabits is true to life, andCamapproaches stolen identity on a much deeper level. The terror comes from Alice finding her personality stripped away, which offers subtle commentary on the dehumanizing effect of modern life.
Madeline Brewer plays a dual role as Alice and her online doppelgänger, Lola.
Camcould stand as a straightforward drama with only a few tweaks, and it deftly balances the horror elements with the basic human struggle of its main character. However, the strange twist involving Alice’s duplicate is still harrowing, especially since the film doesn’t really offer much explanation. Alice understands as much about her situation as the audience does, andit’s so much more chilling when her fake online persona is left a mystery.Cammight not be a mile-a-minute thrill ride, but it’s a tense exploration of modern society, and it eschews problematic horror tropes from the past.
Cam’s Star Madeline Brewer Should’ve Become A Scream Queen
Brewer Has All The Right Stuff To Be A Modern Scream Queen
It’s a surprise that Madeline Brewer didn’t becomea modern-day scream queenafter starring inCam. Like her predecessors, such as Jamie Lee Curtis,Brewer was able to bring a humanity to her character that helped make the film even scarier. A good scream queen combines charisma and genuine acting chops, and Brewer has both in spades. Brewer’s career in horror likely didn’t take off afterCambecause the film was not necessarily a big hit upon release, and it didn’t get a lot of attention at the time. Fortunately, Brewer has been busy working on other projects since 2018.
2018
93%
Flesh and Blood
2017
90%
86%
2022
56%
2021
44%
So far, Brewer has only appeared in one other horror film, 2021’sSeparation. The supernatural thriller was directed by horror vet William Brent Bell, and is yet another mysterious entity story involving past trauma. The film was not well-regarded by critics, which is probably another reason why Brewer’s career in horror hasn’t taken off.
Madeline Brewer Did Go On To Star In The Final Season Of You
The Netflix Original Series Has Horror Elements
Besides her appearances on shows likeHemlock Grove,Grimm, andShining Girls, Brewer’s recent turn on the final season ofYouis her biggest brush with horror. She stole the show in theNetflixseries' final season as Bronte, a playwright who becomes the object of Joe’s affection when she begins to work for him. Naturally, Bronte has secrets of her own, and turns the tables on Joe Goldberg.Youmight not have been the scariest series, but it showed Brewer’s versatility, something that is a necessity when appearing in horror.
