I once got kicked out of a movie group for having an enticing headline on one of my reviews. That’s not clickbait, that’s clever wordplay. It’s not phishing; reading is free a*shole. There’s a big difference between finding an angle for something and pretending to be legitimate to obtain something you want. But enough about me and my dealings with Clickbait. Clickbait is a movie so they are comparatively very different. This film wants you to think about the moral and societal pressure that is social media. It wants you to feel the circus-like environment of trying to maintain a visible presence. Clickbait wants you to think about just how far people will go to be famous.
What is Clickbait?
The film is a low-budget independent movie produced and directed by Sophia Cacciola, and Michael J. Epstein.
The filmmakers even cleverly designed their website, to reflect the one mentioned in the movie. If you hit one of the buttons below the site encourages you to vote. But all the buttons lead you to where you can watch the movie and see how their fundraising campaign went. Of course, some buttons lead you to a page to buy some Toot Strudles.
Kind of neat and got a smile out of me that this is exactly what clickbait is. So now you know.
CHECK OUT THE STR33KER WEBSITE
- THE OTHER KIND OF PHISHING: Catfishing: in “SAKAWA” documentary).
- KILLER MOVIES ABOUT INTERNET FAME: Mope is about the porn industry (thriller and crime movie)| Superhost (horror movie) | Influencer (horror movies)
The film itself is about a wannabe internet celebrity and begins with a close-up of Bailey (played by Amanda Stewart) crying into the camera. She’s been knocked out of pole position on what seems to be a YouTube and Twitch mash platform. Her roommate Emma (played by Brandi Aguilar) placates her with soothing words about the possibility that her rival is probably making it all up. They both agree that having the sympathy votes for getting Cancer won’t last forever anyway.
Tootstrudles, Say It Fast Three Times
As the story for the Clickbait movie moves along, there are interruptions regularly of people selling products. Mock advertisements if you will. I guess this is to imply that content is always interrupted by someone trying to sell something so why not the actual film you are now watching? Which reminds me, Tootstrudles are pretty much pop tarts, only in the mock advertisements, they are nuclear and have green icing on them. You probably want pop tarts now that I’ve mentioned them and I’ve just discovered they sell them on Amazon. You’re welcome. I found these peanut butter-flavored ones.
When Bailey’s popularity dives, she acquires a stalker. If anything points to having a noteworthy status, a stalker is part of the package. This particular masked fan begins to publish videos of his exploits and what do you know? Bailey starts trending again. Her desire for fame is so strong, that allowing a stalker to impose on her life is just fine, as long as people are clicking. Who cares if the content is darker and weirder than before?
While her roommate Emma religiously studies in order to have a stable career, Bailey knows her fame and vlogging are all she needs to be successful. forever and ever.
It’s Not Phishing if it’s a Film
Clickbait wants you to think about all the personalities that form the universe that is social media. While the characters are introduced as the narrative flaps along with covering a wide variety of identities and doing it well, the length of the film was my biggest hurdle. Similarly, I’ve been told my reviews are too long. It is what it is and luckily for me, I can go back as I grow and chop the waffle out. The niche utilized in the film is a fickle beast and I’m sure many have fallen to the wayside with nothing to fall back on but broken dreams and a dented ego.
Anyone who’s tackled being part of any type of creative process will find something within Clickbait 2019 to relate to.
The comedy didn’t hit me where it was supposed to, however thinking back over some of the gags, it really is rather witty and clever if you apply it to its overall theme. While watching though, the overall film struggled to move along in a way that made me want to keep watching.
If You’re Going to Get Killed, at Least Get Paid
While I understand the agenda, most of the topics were left at a superficial level and you need to read between the lines to make an association. Combined with characters that were also cartoonish, I had a bit of time investing in anything. More than anything I felt like I was watching something specifically to be taught something.
I did though, so there’s that at least.
Clickbait comes to you from Launch Over and was distributed by ITN Distribution in June 2019. If you want to check it out and I encourage you to do so the buttons above will lead you there eventually.
I give Clickbait
2 flashback after flashback out of 5
Where to Watch Clickbait [2018]
For another serious film about catfishing, watch Trust No One (Documentary) or Social Media Monster (Documentary).
Clickbait TV Mini Series is streaming on:
Powered by
