MOVIE REVIEW
SiMP
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Genre: Thriller
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 40m
Director(s): Tremain Hayhoe
Writer(s): Tremain Hayhoe
Cast: Brooke Piedra, Mike Markoff, Rucka Rucka Ali, NJ Brown, Krystle Ferrer, Jefferson Jaramillo, Bunny Stewart, Todd Wilber
Where To Watch: premieres April 7, 2024 at the Sactown Movie Buffs Film Fest

RAVING REVIEW: Have you ever gone into a movie with certain expectations? Believing that you know precisely what the experience would be like? This was one of those situations, and I was 100% correct, but somehow, I was just as incorrect. Picture this: a deep dive into internet notoriety's alluring yet treacherous waters. As director Tremain Hayhoe navigates Jessica’s story, this digital dream quickly morphs into a waking nightmare. Brooke Piedra, who plays Jessica, is the core of this film; her performance grounds the movie in a reality that seems all too familiar in this modern time.

Hayhoe plunges us into this familiar but ever-evolving cybernetic ocean with SiMP. This film experience is more than just a sequence of events—a reflection, a mirror held up to the digitized faces we present to the world, juxtaposing them with the stark realities that await offline. The film’s biggest hurdle is its struggle outside of Piedra’s performance. While this is a relatively small cast, several key scenes with other cast members feel somewhat forced and scripted. 

Where the film shines the brightest is its presentation. While it is an indie film, the experience doesn’t really feel like it. Solid set design, camera work, sound mixing, and more make it a very professional production in all key aspects. SiMP breaks free from the indie film mold, serving up a narrative filled with social commentary and critical introspection. It dares viewers to peel back the layers of their digital personas, challenging the perceived safety of our online worlds. Most importantly, it casts a shadow on the world of internet fame, exploring the darker corners of obsession and fandom.

I would have liked to have seen a deeper dive into Jessica's world before the film's first scene. While there are some flashbacks, it is only a tiny taste. A deeper look into her “perfect” world would have intensified her current predicament. The ending of the film may well have been the most intriguing part; from the final few scenes into the credits, we get to see a significant twist (maybe), and it is that journey that keeps us guessing and keeps the questions running through our minds after the final scene fades to black.

As a whole, this was a surprisingly deep experience; it helps that I was going into it expecting an almost late-night made-for-TV B movie and instead got something more profound that was able to make me think. Sure, some of the performances were stiff, but I suggest checking it out when possible!

SiMP is an audacious exploration of identity, trust, and the battle for survival in the digital age, making it a must-watch for anyone who’s ever found themselves trapped by the allure of online fame or questioned the authenticity of a pixelated persona. This film navigates the world of our digital selves with a keen eye for detail and a compelling narrative force, ensuring the message is seen and felt. It's a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that lurk behind our screens, a warning sign in an era of constant connection and perpetual online presence.

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[photo courtesy of HAYHOE STUDIOS]

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