Deadstream – Shudder Review (4/5)

DEADSTREAM on Shudder is a new horror movie that works brilliantly thanks to its dark satire and well-timed scares. With a runtime of just 87 minutes, you don’t really need much more. Read our full Deadstream movie review here!

DEADSTREAM is a new Shudder horror movie that’s mostly more of a horror-comedy. Towards the end, however, horror comes (very much) to the forefront. So, if you think you’re “safe” due to the horror-comedy label, you might want to think again.

LOVE HORROR-COMEDY?

So do we – check out our horror-comedy tag for more in this genre >

The runtime is just shy of 90 minutes and you will not be bored at any point. 87 minutes, you don’t really need much more. Joseph Winter stars in this horror movie with deeply dark and satirical humor, so there’s plenty to keep you on your toes.

Continue reading our Deadstream movie review below. Watch it on Shudder from October 6, 2022.

Such an awesome premise

The story in Deadstream is all about a disgraced internet personality, Shawn Ruddy, trying to win back his popularity. To do this, he wants to live stream spending a night in a haunted house. And yes, you will hear more about how he came to be “disgraced” in the movie.

But pay attention or you will miss it!

It will come as no surprise to most, that the comments are ruthless. I mean, whenever something goes bump in the night, you will see his “fans” commenting that he should check it out. Or just outright say, that they hope something will kill him.

Okay, I’m paraphrasing because the comments he receives contain a lot of expletives. It is actually a lot of fun to just sit and follow these comments. And yes, he also reads them and responds to them. Since being this iconic internet personality himself, he knows the game and is ready for all that is coming.

Well, in the comments section anyway. Not so much from the haunted house!

Joseph Winter will drive you crazy!

In many ways, Deadstream is almost a one-man show. Joseph Winter plays Shawn Ruddy, the main character, and he is alone on the screen most of the runtime. Well, others do show up, but I won’t spoil the “how and why” of it all here.

Oh, and – of course – there are the comments to entertain you.

Joseph Winter as Shawn Ruddy did drive me crazy at times. But in a good way. He actually just felt like watching one of those YouTubers that have been doing the same thing for way too long. But for the story in Deadstream, it works brilliantly.

Mostly thanks to all the pop-culture references and classic YouTuber (or Influencer) trademark behavior. Something we also saw in Superhost (also on Shudder) and Sissy (2022).

Watch Deadstream on Shudder!

Along with starring in Deadstream, Joseph Winter is also one of the writers and directors behind this horror movie, which is a feature film debut. The other writer and director is Vanessa Winter, and yes, the two are married. We love a good husband and wife duo.

Just like Mike Flanagan and Kate Siegel or David F. Sandberg and Lotta Losten. It just always results in something full of energy, passion, and love for the genre!

Fortunately, we won’t have to wait long to see more from the duo. Vanessa Winter and Joseph Winter are back later in October 2022 with V/H/S/99. They have co-written and co-directed the segment “To Hell and Back”. And yes, we will also be seeing Joseph Winter on the screen again for V/H/S/99.

In the meanwhile, do not miss out on Deadstream. It’s both good fun (and pretty dark and dirty fun) as well as creepy as hell. A total treat perfect for a Shudder release here in the Halloween month of October. Enjoy!

Deadstream is out on Shudder from October 6, 2022.

Details

Directors: Joseph Winter, Vanessa Winter
Writers: Joseph Winter, Vanessa Winter
Cast: Joseph Winter, Melanie Stone, Jason K. Wixom