Epic Pictures’ specialty horror label DREAD delivers a surprising and genuinely suspenseful entry into the pandemic-ero horror subgenre with “Don’t Log Off.” My initial skepticism, fueled by comparisons to 2020’s “Host,” quickly evaporated as this film proved it had far more to offer than a mere rehash five years on.
“Don’t Log Off” is written and directed by brothers Brandon and Garrett Baer and stars Ariel Winter (“Modern Family”), Brielle Barbusca (“Scandal”), Luke Benward (“Criminal Minds”), Sterling Beaumon (“Law & Order: True Crime”), Jack Griffo (“The Thundermans Return”), Kara Royster (“Pretty Little Liars”), Ashley Argota (“All American”), and Khylin Rhambo (“47 Meters Down: Uncaged”).
The film was shot and is set during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and follows a group of friends who connect via video call for a virtual birthday party for their friend Sam (Barbusca), only to have her suddenly vanish during the call. As the night progresses, the group attempts to solve the mystery of her disappearance, only to witness others in the group vanish along with her.
One of the first things I wondered about this film was how it would hold up being set during the pandemic. “Host” was released during the pandemic, so what we saw unfolding on screen then very much resembled our life at the time. Five years on, in what feels like decades, would it still feel relevant? Surprisingly, it did, and in an unexpected way. The film evokes a sense not of nostalgia, but rather a potent remembrance of that particular, uncertain time in our lives. While we’re no longer living that specific reality, watching the film quickly took me back to that period when our lives were filled with isolation and a pervasive sense of the unknown, creating a shared vulnerability with the characters.
Despite being set in quarantine, one of the things that I feel helps “Don’t Log Off” is the fact that they used both remote and in-person footage. This allowed the filmmakers to create an opening sequence that isn’t confined to a video call, setting the stage for what will ultimately unfold over the 90 minutes that follow. This, along with several moments where characters leave the confines of their rooms, and sometimes even their apartments, makes “Don’t Log Off” feel less claustrophobic compared to other pandemic-era films.
While some might label this a horror film, “Don’t Log Off” is admittedly light on traditional horror elements. There’s no blood, no gore, and you don’t actually see any kills. What it excels at, however, is building palpable suspense and tension. I rarely get truly wound up by a horror movie, but for some reason, the escalating tension in this film genuinely got to me. To some degree, the video call format places the viewer directly “in” the experience, making you feel like a participant rather than just an observer. But I also credit the authentic performances and interactions from Kara Royster and Khylin Rhambo, in particular, which truly sell the lingering threat and the mounting dread as the movie unfolds.
One aspect of the film that feels authentically 2020, and perhaps frustratingly so, is the number of times the group talks over each other during the video call, especially when they get riled up. While this serves as a plot point, with the friends bickering and threatening to mute one another, they weren’t the only ones who wished for a mute button; there were a few times I myself felt the urge to hit it. This chaotic overlap, while at times maddeningly authentic to the video call experience of 2020, also serves a crucial purpose in the film, amplifying the sense of helplessness and disorganization among the friends, making the escalating events even more terrifying as communication breaks down.
Overall, I enjoyed “Don’t Log Off.” It’s a quick 90 minutes that whisks you back to a period I hope we never have to relive and will have you on the edge of your seat, feeling like you’re one of Sam’s friends watching the horrors of the night unfold.
For those of you who have seen “Host” and your first instinct might be to pass up on this one, I am here to tell you that “Don’t Log Off” deserves a chance, especially if you enjoyed “Host.” Though it’s a familiar setup, it’s a different viewing experience than the one we had when “Host” was released in 2020.
“Don’t Log Off” will have a limited theatrical release starting today, July 11, and will be available to rent or purchase on video-on-demand beginning July 15.
