Review by
Sue Finn
Directed by: Jane Schoenbrun
Starring: Anna Cobb, Michael Rogers
Casey, teenage vlogger and attic-bedroom dweller, takes part in something
called "The World’s Fair Challenge."
It involves saying "I want to go to the world’s fair" three times, then
pricking your finger and watching a specific online video (which, when
Casey takes part, we only see reflected on her face, and her reaction to
it).
Afterwards, she wakes "changed."
She starts to research whether other people have had the same response,
and is horrified to find that there are a myriad of post "world’s fair
challenge" reactions, and none of them are good.
One night, while watching a video that is a full five minutes of someone
stroking the screen and saying "go to sleep, go to sleep" over and over
again (strangely hypnotising), someone who’s been following her vlog makes
contact with her.
The older man, called JLB, wishes to warn her about the dangers of the
challenge while also encouraging her to continue the videos she posts
online.
When they Skype the next day, Casey explains that she feels like she is
turning into someone else. JLB, self-proclaimed fan of Casey and expert on
the challenge, seems less like a friend and more like a groomer in the
insidious way he ingratiates himself into her life.
The rest of the runtime details the developing "friendship" between the
teenage Casey and the middle-aged JLB as she slowly succumbs to the
"changes" that are taking place.
This directorial debut by writer/director Jane Schoenbrun is a hard
film to review as I’m not sure what the director hoped to achieve; it is a
frustrating mixed bag that combines viewpoints and fails to continue in
the POV/found footage genre that it seemed to start in. I'm unsure if this
is about mental health, online grooming or just growing up, as the themes
are disjointed and pacing is stop/start the whole way through.
The best aspect of this movie is easily Anna Cobb as Casey, who is
wholly believable in a demanding role. When you consider this is her film
debut and she is in almost every scene, her achievement cannot be
understated. Though the film itself is unsteady, it is on firm footing
with this casting. Michael J Rogers also gives a well-rounded
performance as JLB.
The wintry landscapes add a sense of isolation to what already appears to
be a very lonely story; but that sense of dread that you want with this
kind of movie is lacking. Ending the narrative with the wrong protagonist
also feels like an error. This film seems to take great pleasure in
stretching out a scene beyond interest and wasting opportunities to
explain moments so that they hit harder. It's as if Schoenbraun had a good
idea but had no clue how to execute it; everything is touched on so
lightly that nothing makes an impression. They name check
Paranormal Activity a few times in this film, and to be
honest, it really just made me want to watch that movie instead – I know
that would guarantee me a good scare.
Topically using an online challenge (remember the ice bucket challenge?
The Tide Pod one? The toilet seat-licking one? Yeah, a lot of people are
pretty stupid online) is a great concept for a horror movie, one that we
are all familiar with and ready to jump onboard with, but it has to have a
purpose.
This is arty and has a nice aesthetic, but it lacks a narrative drive and
a tangible story arc.
Barely a horror, at only 86 minutes long, it drags.
I wish I liked this more.
We’re All Going to the World’s Fair is in UK cinemas from
April 29th and on Digital Download and limited edition Blu-ray from May
9th.
