Nowadays, the Internet has become a comfortable and alluring place for many people, where boundaries are non-existent. Without ever leaving the computer or smartphone, one can journey through space and time.
Despite the vast opportunities it offers, the Internet also holds dangers. Nevertheless, people persist in seeking out the forbidden and frightening for entertainment and a rush of adrenaline. If you’re looking for a thrill, consider watching horror films about the Internet and social networks.
Hard Candy
- Rating IMDB – 7.0
- Genre: Thriller, drama
- US production / 2005
- Budget: $1,000,000
- Worldwide gross: $7,022,209
- Directed by David Slade
- Cast: Elliot Page, Patrick Wilson, Sandra Oh, Odessa Rae, Gilbert John, Corey Bright
Hayley Stark, a young and enigmatic 14-year-old girl, encounters a charming photographer named Jeff Kohlver online. Although Jeff appears to be a normal, handsome man, appearances can be deceiving.
The truth is, Hayley is not who she claims to be and has a sinister motive for meeting Jeff. After intoxicating and restraining a man, she puts Jeff through a personal nightmare, leading to the question: is Jeff truly guilty of the crimes Hayley accuses him of?
The role of a 14-year-old girl was played by the actor Elliot Page who made a historic announcement on December 1, 2020. Through his Instagram account, Elliot came out as a transgender man and publicly embraced his true identity. Today, Elliot Page stands as one of the most recognizable and influential figures in the transgender community, inspiring countless others to live their authentic lives.
Untraceable
- Rating IMDB – 6.2
- Genre: Thriller, crime, detective
- US production / 2008
- Budget: $35,000,000
- Worldwide gross: $52,659,594
- Directed by Gregory Hoblit
- Cast: Diane Lane, Billy Burke, Colin Hanks, Joseph Cross, Mary Beth Hurt, Peter Gray Lewis, Tyrone Giordano, Perla Aney-Jardin, Tim DeZarn, Christopher Cousins
In a world spiraling into madness, a vicious killer has created a twisted website, Kill with Me, where he broadcasts his brutal acts of torture and murder. Undeterred, fearless federal agent Jennifer Marsh sets out to track down the madman behind the site. But Marsh must also face a daunting challenge – the massive audience of the website, whose numbers determine the speed of each killing.
The banned website www.killwithme.com was created as part of a promotional campaign for the upcoming thriller. Visitors could immerse themselves in the film by playing the role of FBI agent.
Alexia
- Rating IMDB – 6.2
- Genre: Short, horror
- Production Argentina / 2013
- Directed by Andres Borghi
- Cast: Sergio Beron, Pilar Boyle, Paula Carruega
A haunting Argentinian short horror film, Alexia, explores the terrifying consequences of social media connections with the dead. The film follows Franco, who blames himself for his ex-girlfriend Alexia’s suicide and tries to move on by deleting her from his Facebook friends on the day of her birthday. But the ghosts of the past are not so easily erased, as Alexia returns from the beyond to claim Franco as her own.
This film raises questions about the fate of online accounts after death and the power of social media to connect us to the dead. In real life, social media platforms like Facebook empowers users to make that decision while still alive.
The Signal
- Rating IMDB – 6.0
- Genre: Fantasy, thriller, drama, detective
- US production / 2014
- Budget: $4,000,000
- Worldwide gross: $2,595,622
- Director William Eubank
- Cast: Brenton Thwaites, Laurence Fishburne, Olivia Cooke, Beau Knapp, Lin Shaye, Robert Longstreet, Patrick Davidson, Geoffrey Grover, Roy Kenny, Timothy Holmes
The movie follows the story of three student hackers, Jonah, Nic, and Haley, on a mission to uncover the identity of the elusive hacker known as Damon. Despite being expelled from their university, they are determined to uncover the truth and track down Damon’s location.
However, upon arriving at the specified address, they are horrified to find themselves trapped in an unknown laboratory and subjected to a shocking transformation. Their bodies have been altered with cybernetic prostheses, made with extraterrestrial technology, leaving them struggling to adapt to their new reality.
The film reaches its climax on the hauntingly beautiful arched bridge across the Rio Grande Gorge, standing at a dizzying height of 180 meters above the ground. This bridge has a dark history, being the site of numerous suicides, and the authorities have yet to find a solution to prevent further tragedies.
Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum
- Rating IMDB – 6.3
- Genre: Horror
- Production South Korea / 2018
- Budget: $2,280,000
- Worldwide gross: $21,041,950
- Directed by Jung Beom-shik
- Cast: Wi Ha-joon, Park Ji-hyun, Park Sung-hoon, Oh Ah-young, Moon Ye-won, Yoo Jae-yoon, Lee Seung-wook, Park Chi-ah
In the pursuit of Internet fame, seven daring individuals set out to explore the infamous South Korean Gonjiam Hospital. This abandoned facility, known for its dark history of 42 patient suicides and a missing head physician, has become a hub for ghost hunters and supernatural enthusiasts. The ultimate challenge lies in room 402, a mysterious and foreboding room that has yet to be opened.
Gonjiam Hospital is a real location, abandoned due to its unprofitability, and is widely considered to be the most haunted place in South Korea. This location serves as a testament to the dark history of the hospital and its reputation for paranormal activity.
Cam
- Rating IMDB – 5.9
- Genre: Horror, thriller, drama, detective
- US production / 2018
- Directed by Daniel Goldhaber
- Cast: Madeleine Brewer, Patrick Darraud, Melora Walters, Devin Druid, Imani Hakim, Michael Dempsey, Flora Diaz, Samantha Robinson, Jessica Parker Kennedy
Alice, a flourishing webcam model, has her sights set on cracking the top 50 list of the most exceptional cam-girls. She’s willing to go to great lengths to make it happen. After tireless effort and dedication, Alice finally achieves her goal. But, the celebration is short-lived as her online identity is stolen by a doppelganger, causing the real Alice to spiral into a state of stress and anxiety.
Webcam modeling, an industry that has been around since 1994, is an online video chat-based business where models interact with clients in real-time. The industry has seen substantial growth and continues to evolve, with a focus on paid communication between models and clients.
Pulse
- Rating IMDB – 4.7
- Genre: Horror, fantasy, thriller
- Production USA, Romania, South Africa / 2006
- Budget: $20,500,000
- Worldwide gross: $29,907,685
- Directed by Jim Sonzero
- Cast: Kristen Bell, Ian Somerhalder, Christina Milian, Rick Gonzalez, Jonathan Tucker, Samm Levin, Octavia Spencer, Ron Rifkin, Joseph Gatt, Kel O’Neil
Student Matty unwittingly witnesses the suicide of her best friend Josh. After a while, she and Josh’s other friends start receiving messages on his behalf asking for help. In an attempt to make sense of the supernatural events, the students discover that a discovery has been made in a certain laboratory. In particular, new frequencies have been found that allow ghosts to enter from the other side of the world.
The horror is a remake of the Japanese horror film of the same name. “Pulse” was very successful commercially, leading to the sequels “Pulse 2: After Life” and “Pulse 3: Invasion”.
Unfriended: Dark Web
- Rating IMDB – 6.0
- Genre: Horror, thriller, detective
- Production USA, Russia / 2018
- Budget: $1,000,000
- Worldwide gross: $16,024,987
- Directed by Steven Sasko
- Cast: Colin Woodell, Stephanie Nogueras, Betty Gabriel, Rebecca Rittenhouse, Andrew Lees, Connor Del Rio, Savira Vindyani, Douglas Tate, Brian Adrian, Chelsea Elden
Matias, a young man, is thrown into a world of horror and turmoil after stumbling upon a laptop. Upon examining its contents, he discovers a program that grants him access to the ominous Dark Web.
Excited by his findings, Matias immediately shares the news with his friends during a group video chat, only to be contacted by the true owner of the laptop. This encounter sets off a deadly game between Matias and his friends, where not everyone will make it out unscathed.
The Dark Web, also known as the Shadow Internet, is a secretive network of websites that can only be accessed through specialized browsers. The anonymous nature of file sharing on the Dark Web has earned it a reputation as a tool for illegal activities.
Tragedy Girls
- Rating IMDB – 6.0
- Genre: Horror, comedy, crime
- US production / 2017
- Worldwide gross: $122,211
- Director Tyler McIntyre
- Cast: Brianna Hildebrand, Alexandra Shipp, Jack Quaid, Kevin Durand, Timothy W. Murphy, Katie Stottlemire, Nikki Whelan, Elise Neal, Craig Robinson, Andy Bety
What would you sacrifice for a few likes? In a small town, a maniacal killer is wreaking havoc, and the details of his heinous crimes are being documented in graphic detail on the popular blog Tragedy Girls, run by two high school students. As their blog gains popularity, the girls bask in their notoriety. After all, the maniac has long been caught, and they commit all the crimes themselves.
The like button, a ubiquitous feature of social media, has a surprising origin. It was first introduced on Facebook under the name “Bomb”, and later renamed to “Awesome”. Despite initial skepticism from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the like button was eventually implemented in 2009, quickly becoming a staple of the platform and a driving force behind social media engagement.
Stay Alive
- Rating IMDB – 5.0
- Genre: Horror, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, detective
- US production / 2006
- Budget: $9,000,000
- Worldwide gross: $27,105,095
- Directed by William Brent Bell
- Cast: John Foster, Samira Armstrong, Frankie Muniz, Jimmi Simpson, Wendell Pierce, Milo Ventimiglia, Sophia Bush, Adam Goldberg, Billy Slaughter, Nicole Oppermann
Hutch, a passionate gamer, inherits a collection of video games from a friend who mysteriously passed away. To pay homage to the late friend, Hutch and a group of fellow gamers embark on playing the eerie game Stay Alive.
The game centers around the infamous Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Bathory, where players must navigate through dangerous traps to survive. However, what they don’t realize is that their own lives are on the line as they delve deeper into the game.
Stay alive, 2006 is a low-budget horror film that has made a big impact in the industry, grossing a remarkable $30 million at the box office. The lead role of the bloodthirsty Countess is portrayed by none other than the former USSR’s first beauty, Maria Kalinina, also known as “Moscow Beauty 1988”.
Unfriended
- Rating IMDB – 5.6
- Genre: Horror, thriller, detective
- Production USA, Russia / 2015
- Budget: $1,000,000
- Worldwide gross: $62,882,090
- Directed by Levan Gabriadze
- Cast: Shelley Hennig, Moses Storm, Renee Olstead, Will Peltz, Jacob Wysawkey, Courtney Halverson, Heather Saussaman, Matthew Borer, Mickey River, Cal Barnes
A year ago, high school student Laura took her own life, unable to withstand the humiliation brought about by a disgraceful video of her circulated on the Internet. A year later, a group of Laura’s former school friends are engaging in a Skype chat and stumble upon the seventh member, billie227, with their camera turned off. But when billie227 initiates a dangerous game of “Never have I ever…”, the friends are faced with a nightmarish ultimatum: to reveal the truth or face dire consequences.
The horror film, produced by the talented Russian director Timur Bekmambetov, is a ground-breaking endeavor in the screen capture movie genre. The entire film takes place on the computer screen of the main character, immersing the audience in a world of terror and suspense.
The Den
- Rating IMDB – 6.0
- Genre: Horror, thriller, detective
- US production / 2013
- Budget: $500,000
- Worldwide gross: $825,170
- Directed by Zachary Donoghue
- Cast: Melanie Papalia, David Schlachtenhaufen, Adam Shapiro, Anna Margaret Holliman, Matt Ready, Katya Pevek, Saida Arrika Ekulona, Anthony Jennings, Victoria Hanlin, Anushka Rani
Elizabeth Benton, a dedicated student, embarks on a journey of web research, eager to study the behaviors of online chats visitors. Day in and day out, she sits in front of her computer, engaging in conversations with random strangers on the web.
However, her routine is abruptly disturbed when she witnesses a heinous act of murder in the digital realm. Despite her attempts to seek justice, the police remain indifferent, dismissing the crime as nothing more than a figment of Elizabeth’s imagination. As the nightmarish events unfold, Elizabeth begins to receive threatening messages, and her closest friends start disappearing one by one.
The film, shrouded in mystery and suspense, has multiple endings. In one of the most gripping, Elizabeth meets her untimely death in front of her computer screen, only for the terror to continue with another unsuspecting victim taking her place, thus perpetuating the cycle.
Cry Wolf
- Rating IMDB – 5.8
- Genre: Horror
- US production / 2005
- Budget: $1,000,000
- Worldwide gross: $14,153,019
- Director Jeff Wadlow
- Cast: Julian Morris, Lindy Booth, Jared Padalecki, Jesse Janzen, Paul James, Sandra McCoy, Ethan Cohn, Christy Wu, Anna Deaver Smith, Jon Bon Jovi
Beware of your desires, for they have a way of becoming a reality. At the prestigious Westlake Academy, where the wealthy students rule, entertainment takes on a dangerous turn. What starts as a harmless game of terrorizing the campus with tales of a clever-wielding serial killer in a ski cap, quickly turns into a deadly reality. An unknown assailant begins to target the offspring of the rich and powerful, sending shockwaves through the privileged community.
Directed by Jeff Wadlow, this American slasher film was made possible by the Chrysler Million Dollar Film Competition, which recognized the previous Wadlow’s work as the Best Short Film.
Spree
- Rating IMDB – 5.9
- Genre: Comedy, horror
- US production / 2020
- Worldwide gross: $48,735
- Directed by Eugene Kotlyarenko
- Cast: Joe Keery, Sashir Zamata, David Arquette, Kyle Mooney, Mischa Barton, Frankie Grande, Lauryn Kent, Sunny Kim, John DeLuca
In today’s world, where social media dictates the worth of an individual, Kurt, a taxi driver and streamer, has struggled to garner attention with his mundane content for a decade. Desperate for success, Kurt hatches a sinister plan to compete with the more popular and daring bloggers. He starts live-streaming the murders of his passengers, seeking to shock and captivate the audience.
This horror film delves into the dark side of the Internet, where individuals perform dangerous and often illegal acts in the pursuit of fame and fortune. The concept of “trash streams” refers to these often grotesque and inhumane videos, where participants do anything for money. There is the tragic incident that happened in 2020, where Russian blogger Reeflay’s stream resulted in the death of a young woman. The streamer was later sentenced to six years in a maximum security prison.
App
- Rating IMDB – 5.4
- Genre: Fantasy, thriller
- Production Netherlands / 2013
- Budget: €1,500,000
- Worldwide gross: $313,990
- Directed by Bobo Boermans
- Cast: Hanna Hoekstra, Robert de Hoog, Isis Kabole, Mattis van de Sande Backhuizen, Mark van Euwen, Lisa Sips, Jeroen Spitzenberger, Patrik Martens, Harry van Reithoven, Alex Hendrix
After a wild party, student Anna Rijnders stumbles upon a mysterious app called Iris on her smartphone. Believing it to be a simple voice assistant, she activates the program. But from that moment on, Iris begins to take on a life of its own, unleashing a series of terrorizing events in Anna’s life. It starts with seemingly harmless acts, like turning on the camera and sending messages, but quickly spirals out of control as Iris begins to commit murder.
This film marked a revolution in cinema, as it allowed audiences to experience it on both the big screen and their smartphones at the same time. To do so, viewers had to launch a special app with voice control that was synced with the film.
Anonymous 616
- Rating IMDB – 5.1
- Genre: Horror, thriller
- US production / 2018
- Director Mike Boss
- Cast: Bella Shepard, Emily Jordan, Miles Cranford, Jessica Ehimika, Daniel Felix de Weldon, Mike Boss, David Abramsky, Jennifer Shepard, Rafik Madadi
What was supposed to be a fun night between two couples quickly turns into a living nightmare. Ex-military veteran Jason returns from serving in Iraq and joins his friends for a get-together. They turn to using drugs to unwind, but during the party, Jason begins communicating with a mysterious user known as Anonymous 616. This mysterious figure convinces Jason to turn on his friends in pursuit of becoming God-like.
The number 666 has a dark history, as it is often associated with satanic symbolism and is referred to as the Number of the Beast. Mentioned four times in the Bible, it is said to be the number under which the name of the beast of the Apocalypse is hidden. However, there is a theory that a mistake was made when the Book of Revelation was rewritten, and the true Number of the Beast is actually 616.
Like Me
- Rating IMDB – 5.2
- Genre: Drama, сrime
- US production / 2017
- US fees: $12,965
- Directed by Robert Mockler
- Cast: Addison Timlin, Ian Nelson, Larry Fessenden, Jeremy Gardner, Ana Asensio, Ricardo Lorenzo, Sean S. Phillips, Nicolette Pierini
In her quest for likes, donations, and views, young girl Kiya travels the country, producing videos that mock and ridicule everything in her path. Her videos become increasingly daring, provocative, and devoid of meaning, but they attract a massive audience and propel her to stardom.
Despite the adoration of her faceless subscribers, Kiya is more focused on earning the recognition of another prominent video blogger, Burt. She is willing to go to great lengths to win his approval, even if it means breaking the law.
The film features a soundtrack composed entirely of original music made with a modular synthesizer. This unique approach to film scoring adds to the surreal and dream-like atmosphere of the movie. The use of a modular synthesizer also allows for a greater range of sound design, giving the film a more experimental and avant-garde feel.
Avatar
- Rating IMDB – 5.5
- Genre: Horror
- Production Japan / 2011
- Directed by Atsushi Wada
- Cast: Ai Hashimoto, Rikako Sakata, Nako Mizusawa, Yuri Hane, Mizuki Saside, Kenichi Endo, Yumi Endo, Pepe Hozumi, Toranosuke Kato, Mahiru Konno
Japanese tenth-grader Michiko is gifted with a cell phone on the eve of her birthday. However, the school she attends is ruled by the violent and abusive teenager Tayoko, who especially targets the meek and timid schoolgirl Saenji. When Michiko wins a valuable artifact in a video game, Tayoko demands that she hand it over. Saenji approaches Michiko and suggests that they team up and confront the bully together.
The world’s dependence on modern technology has given rise to new psychological disorders, including nomophobia, the fear of being without a phone. According to a recent survey, 42% of people in the world equate being without their phone to being caught in a rainstorm without an umbrella. A staggering 60% of people always keep their smartphones with them, 59% feel stressed when the battery runs low, and 37% constantly check for messages and news.
Don’t Hang Up
- Rating IMDB – 5.5
- Genre: Horror, thriller
- Production UK / 2016
- Directed by Damien Mace, Alexis Weisbrot
- Cast: Gregg Sulkin, Garrett Clayton, Bella Dane, Parker Sawyers, Jack Brett Anderson, Philip Desmules, Sienna Guillory, Robert Goodman, Michael Body
Sam and Brady, two mischievous pranksters, love to terrify the unsuspecting residents of their town. Their latest target was Mrs. Kolbein, whom they convinced there was an intruder in her home. The video of their cruel joke quickly went viral, causing a stir among the online community.
However, their antics catch up with them when they become the victims of Mr. Lee’s retaliation. This prankster fights back using the same tactics that Sam and Brady have used, but with a dangerous twist. He uses the lives of their loved ones as leverage, pushing the limits of what is acceptable in the world of pranks.
The film was shot entirely in the United Kingdom and was inspired by the popular creepypasta Internet urban legend, The Laughing Man.
Friend Request
- Rating IMDB – 5.2
- Genre: Horror, thriller, detective
- Production Germany, South Africa / 2015
- Budget: $9,900,000
- Worldwide gross: $10,975,390
- Directed by Simon Verhoeven
- Cast: Alicia Debnam-Carey, William Moseley, Connor Paolo, Britt Morgan, Brooke Markham, Sean Marquette, Liesl Ahlers, Shashawnee Hall, Susan Danford, Lee Raviv
Laura, a popular student, was casually scrolling through her social media when she came across a friend request from a girl named Marina. Out of pity, as Marina had no friends on the platform, Laura added her as a friend. However, Marina soon saw Laura as her new best friend and began pursuing her relentlessly. Laura tries to shake off the unwanted attention and get rid of the stalker.
When Laura declines to invite Marina to her birthday party, the rejection proves to be too much for Marina, leading her to take her own life. Little does Laura know, Marina’s death sets off a chain of events that puts her and her loved ones in grave danger.
The horror film revolves around the ubiquitous social network Facebook, however its name was not mentioned. Because of it, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg attempted to block its release in theaters but unsuccessfully.
My Little Eye
- Rating IMDB – 5.5
- Genre: Horror, thriller, detective
- Production UK, USA, France, Canada / 2002
- Budget: £2,000,000
- Director Mark Evans
- Cast: Sean Johnson, Chris Lemke, Stephen O’Reilly, Laura Regan, Jennifer Skye, Bradley Cooper, Nick Mennell
Five contestants, three boys and two girls, have been selected to participate in a high-stakes reality show. The challenge: to live inside a house for six months without stepping outside. The prize? A million dollars. But there’s a catch: if one participant leaves, the entire group will lose the prize money.
As the days pass, strange and frightening events begin to unfold within the house, putting the contestants in a dire situation. They are faced with a daunting decision: leave the show and forfeit the prize money, or stay and risk losing their lives.
Reality TV shows have become a staple in television entertainment, offering audiences a glimpse into the real-life experiences of people. The genre can be traced back to the 1948 American program Hidden Camera, which showcased people’s reactions to practical jokes. To this day, the Russian TV show Dom-2 (literally House-2) holds the record for the longest-running reality series, having been on air continuously since May 11, 2004.
Open Windows
- Rating IMDB – 5.1
- Genre: Thriller
- Production Spain, USA / 2014
- Budget: €3,000,000
- Worldwide gross: $550 108
- Directed by Nacho Vigalondo
- Cast: Elijah Wood, Sasha Grey, Neil Maskell, Adam Quintero, Ivan Gonzalez, Jaime Olias, Jake Clamburg, Danielle Perez Prada, Rachel Arieff, Michelle Henner
Nick, a devoted fan of actress Jill Goddard, was elated when she arrived in his hometown for a film promotion. To his delight, Nick had even won a competition for the best blog dedicated to his idol and was set to have dinner with her. But his excitement was short-lived when he received a mysterious message that the dinner was canceled and he must follow the instructions of a stranger or risk Jill’s life.
Adding to the intrigue, the role of popular actress Jill Goddard was portrayed by former adult film star Sasha Grey. Despite her previous career, Sasha was drawn to the project as she could relate to the constant scrutiny and pressure her character faced from fans.
Feardotcom
- Rating IMDB – 3.4
- Genre: Horror, thriller, crime
- Production UK, Germany, Luxembourg / 2002
- Budget: $40,000,000
- Worldwide gross: $18,902,015
- Director William Malone
- Cast: Stephen Dorff, Natasha McElhone, Stephen Rea, Udo Kier, Amelia Curtis, Geoffrey Combs, Nigel Terry, Gezina Kukrowski, Michael Sarazin, Jana Güttgemanns
Detective Mike Riley takes on a dangerous mission to catch a criminal — by becoming a victim himself. The key to solving the case lies in the fact that all four murder victims had one thing in common: they were users of the mysterious website Feardot.com. As Mike delves deeper into the investigation, he discovers that the site was created by his arch-nemesis Alistair Pratt, nicknamed “The Doctor”.
Once a user signs into Feardot.com, the countdown begins and they are given 48 hours to play the deadly game, with the stakes being life or death. Determined to solve the case, Mike decides to visit the site himself.
Initially, the creators of the thriller movie had intended to name the website Fear.com, but the domain name was already taken. Despite attempts to reach a compromise with the owner, the site was ultimately named Feardot.com.
Death Tube: Broadcast Murder Show
- Rating IMDB – 4.7
- Genre: Horror, thriller, drama
- Production Japan / 2010
- Directed by Yohei Fukuda
- Cast: Atsushi Isino, Souichi Matsuda, Sanae Tsukamoto, Kaoru Wataru
Ordinary Japanese guy Inoe stumbles upon a dangerous situation when he receives an email with a link to the ominous website, Death Tube. Curiosity leads him to click on the link, and he suddenly finds himself drawn into a lethal game. Along with several others, Inoe is trapped in a mysterious room where they must complete tasks of increasing difficulty, with dire consequences for those who fail. The cute and deadly killer bear, Ponkichi, looms over their every move, ready to strike at any moment.
The horror continues in the sequel, Death Tube 2: Broadcast Murder Show, 2010 where not only Ponkichi but also his brother Pontaro pose a deadly threat to the players.
