96 minutes, Mystery/Thriller
There is barely a dull moment to be had in NERVE, a techno-thriller that spends most its duration climbing toward and reaching its highest peak, before succumbing to its own pressure. A more than believable plot immediately pulls viewers into its world – one of compulsion, dare and danger. Nerve, a mysterious online game in which you can choose between two modes – watcher or player, is all the rage amongst the youth of New York City right now. Venus (an in-form Emma Roberts from TV Series “American Horror Story”) is being influenced to join by BFF Sydney (Emily Meade, MONEY MONSTER) and warned against it by her more protective friend Tommy (Miles Heizer from TV Series “Parenthood”). When Venus accepts one seemingly harmless dare involving her friends and a stranger named Ian (Dave Franco, NOW YOU SEE ME 2), it leads to a chain of events that endangers the lives of all involved.
As enticing as it is disturbing, NERVE’s clever and creative screenplay is one that draws several parallels to life as we know it right now. Turn on the TV or log onto any social media forum if in any doubt! This film’s set-up and plot progresses at a rapid pace in completely convincing style. Speaking of which – that is an element in which you will hopefully remember NERVE by – style. Directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schuman (who made CATFISH and PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3 & 4) achieve an outstanding mark in the “look and feel” department of this addictively entertaining movie with their use of fluoro colours and a mostly electronic, very upbeat score. Though sometimes, where there is a rise, is also a fall and NERVE does stumble during its final act. This mystery/thriller does well and truly remain worth watching, however you’ll need to be forgiving toward a poorly thought-out and hastily executed climax that skips out on most logic and sense.
3 out of 5
Trailer
NERVE
Viewer Discretion
M – Mature Themes
Some parents may wish to know that NERVE does contain teenagers partaking in dangerous and risky behaviour, drug content and drinking, some sexual content, rear nudity, and language.
Moviedoc wishes to thank Jesse from Roadshow Films and Roadshow Films for the in-season pass to view and review NERVE.
Review by Moviedoc
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