Feardotcom

FEAR DOT COM (2002) *1/2 Stephen Dorff, Natascha McElhone, Stephen Rea, Udo Kier, Jeffrey Combs, Amelia Shankley, Gesine Cukrowski. Listless cyber thriller cum horror flick involving a Website that thrives on its audience's fears and a string of grisly murders investigated by a NYC detective and a public health expert (Dorff and McElhone both sleepwalking through this muddled mess) tracking the deranged sadist (Rea seemingly channeling Peter Lorre in a misguided vocal interpretation) responsible. Despite an intriguing premise the film derails by the third ridiculous act even as its production design and cinematography retain its eerie atmosphere jolting some life to it. (Dir: William Malone)