Share?

Did you know that social media fosters toxic relationships among its users, who only gain clout and/or material gains by performing inanely for each other? In this fundamentally unbalanced type of community network, individuals are complicit for as long as they allow themselves to be seduced by the illusion of power-wow! That's the sort of asked and answered wisdom at the heart of "Share?," an ungenerous techno-satire about an unnamed man who wakes up in an unfurnished cell with only a computer monitor for company.

There's a little more to this sketchy sci-fi parable, all about a wary cipher, #000000014 (Melvin Gregg), who learns how to not only survive, but maybe even game his prison's live-streaming camera network, which connects imprisoned users through their respective computer monitors. But only a little. "Share?" ostensibly has a dark sense of humor, too, yet even its jokes point a lazy finger at viewers.

"Share?" is only 70+ minutes long, and it shows. We see the movie's world through the unblinking eye of #000000014's computer monitor, the one he also uses to broadcast a live video stream from inside his grey brutalist cell. Why is he there, and who's keeping him? That's an irrelevant mystery, according to co-writer/director Ira Rosensweig and co-writer Benjamin Sutor. Rather, we're supposed to focus on the patternmaking logic that leads #000000014 to figure out how to get attention from unseen viewers and earn points that he can convert into amenities, like food, clothes, or an inflatable mattress. #000000014 spends a lot of time peering into and through the camera frame since it's presented as a monitor. His computer seems pretty basic, given frequent prompts like "Share?" and "Good food?" It's almost as if social media and technology only grant its users' limited agency, maaan.

This is just cube redone as a bunch of people in separate rooms. The only difference is most of the people are supposedly happy being prisoners. I guess that makes it original... The main character is ok but boring. No way people are paying to watch him fart.

It was hard to stay immersed in the movie, your mind wanders as it drags on and on. It should have been a short on Black Mirror. The yoga chick is the only one worth watching.

This was a tight budget, 1 camera same rooms over and over, Crappy TV monitors. Whole thing reeks of cheap.

I would not recommend but it isn't awful, just boring.

"Share?" is a Drama - Thriller movie that delves into the complexities of modern relationships and the consequences of choices in the age of social media. The plot follows a young woman grappling with the aftermath of an intimate video of her being shared online, and the emotional turmoil it creates in her personal and social life.

While I appreciate the film's attempt to address a relevant and thought-provoking topic, the execution left much to be desired. The premise, focusing on the impact of privacy invasion and the pressures of public judgment, has potential but felt somewhat underdeveloped. The pacing was uneven, with moments that dragged on too long, leading to a loss of tension during key scenes. The performances, especially from the lead actress, were serviceable but didn't evoke the emotional depth that such a sensitive topic warrants. While the protagonist's struggles were relatable, I found it difficult to connect with her character on a deeper level. The supporting characters, on the other hand, felt one-dimensional and lacked the nuance needed to elevate the story.

One of the movie's strengths is its exploration of the digital age's darker side, but the narrative often felt like it was skimming the surface of deeper issues, leaving me wanting more substance. In terms of directing and cinematography, while the visuals were competent, they didn't add much to the overall impact of the story. Ultimately, "Share?" offers an intriguing premise but fails to deliver a compelling or thought-provoking narrative, leaving me with more questions than answers. It's a movie that might spark some interesting conversation, but overall, it didn't live up to its potential.

...might have been a better title. I appreciated this familiar thriller set in the near future, or now? It's easy to imagine or as the filmmaker not so subtly points out IS happening to us now. I could personally relate to the thrill of getting clicks and putting off more important things in my life but for what? Are we really living when we operate in this kind of void?

I also appreciated the simplicity of the setting and system by which the filmmaker brings us into this bleak and sterile world fulled by external forces, a faceless and relentless pressure to produce more and more and more - but for what? I'm looking forward to more films by this up and coming director writer.