A Movie for Thrill Seekers
Directed by Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost, Nerve tells the story of Vee, high school senior, tired of living in the shadows of her rambunctious best friend. Through the power of peer-pressure she signs up to play Nerve- an internet dare game where watchers vote for a dare they want the players to complete within 15 minutes for a cash prize. A game that seemed like harmless fun takes a turn for the worst when Vee teams up with a stranger named Ian and the dares become more dangerous and even deathly.
Nerve is not the first movie Schulman and Joost have directed together. The duo also directed Paranormal Activity 3 and 4, Catfish, and Viral. Thrillers seem to be a common genre for the two. The Paranormal Activity movies offer the suspense and scare that makes a good supernatural horror film. Viral offers the thrill and fear caused by an apocalyptic virus outbreak movie. Nerve and Catfish compare in the sense that they both focus on the suspense and scare that comes from the dangers of technology. For Nerve, it warns about the dangers of how much personal information you put online and Catfish describes how easily it is for people to lie about who they actually are. Schulman and Joost are able to put together interesting thrillers with unusual topics causing the suspense.
My favorite aspect of this movie was the soundtrack. Many “new” indie/ alternative bands were featured- many of which I personally enjoy. This style of music went very well with the feel of the film. The music added to the high school outcasts tone and the depiction of Vee. It also appeals to the primary audience this film was intended for- teenagers. The soundtrack included songs from Melanie Martinez, Borns, Halsey, Jungle, and Holy Ghost. The music selection for Nerve was well picked and the upbeat nature of the songs help keep the movie entertaining.
The camera work of this film was unique and added to the technological feel. Cinematographer, Michael Simmonds makes you feel as if you watching parts of the movie from the inside of a computer screen. By facing the camera straight ahead and adding the settings/controls on a computer on the screen, it gives the feel of being inside a computer. He also uses this same technique when the actors use their phones, making it seem as if you are watching through a cellphone, just like the watchers of the game. This style of camera work makes you feel like a part of the game, making it feel more personal and realistic. Overall, Nerve offers an interesting plot and a fun thriller for a teenage movie night. Rate: B
