Review: "Charlotte's Net" (2021)

Background:

Charlotte's Net (2021) is directed and written by James Dobbins Jones, who also plays one of the lead roles in the film. The movie's music is composed by Nicholas Gill and Van Leucia, adding to the eerie atmosphere that permeates the film. The plot revolves around two friends who dive into the dark corners of the internet, only to encounter a horrifying and deadly force that begins to manipulate their reality. (source )

Year: 2021

Director: James Dobbins Jones

Genre: Cyber-Horror, Snuff, Extreme-Horror, Found Footage, Real Footage

Plot: Spoilers!

Charlotte's Net (2021) unravels a tale of terror that begins with a seemingly innocuous curiosity. The film follows two friends, James and Phil, who are intrigued by the rumors surrounding a dark web site known as "Charlotte's Net." As they delve into the site, they uncover a disturbing collection of viral gore videos that are all too real. These aren't just clips; they're recordings of actual, horrific events, and the friends quickly realize that by watching these videos, they've invited something sinister into their lives.

The film is structured around the escalating horror that the characters face as the website begins to manipulate their reality. Each video they watch seems to bring them closer to a malevolent force that can reach out from the digital world into the physical. The plot thickens as James and Phil try to escape the grip of "Charlotte's Net," but the deeper they go, the more they realize that the site is not just a collection of disturbing content—it’s a portal to something much darker.

The movie’s first act sets the stage with an eerie atmosphere, slowly building tension as the friends explore the website. The second act dives into psychological horror, as the characters begin to experience bizarre and terrifying phenomena that blur the line between the virtual and the real. By the third act, the horror becomes all-consuming, with the characters facing deadly consequences as they try to sever their connection to the site.

The use of real viral gore videos is integral to the plot, as these clips aren’t just background horror—they are the catalyst that drives the malevolent force to target the characters. Each video viewed by James and Phil not only disturbs them but also seems to give the entity more power to invade their lives, leading to a series of gruesome and terrifying events.

The film culminates in a chilling climax where the characters must confront the entity directly, leading to a harrowing finale that leaves both the characters and the audience questioning the true nature of the horror they’ve just witnessed. The ending is ambiguous, leaving open the possibility that the terror of "Charlotte's Net" may still be out there, lurking in the corners of the dark web, waiting for the next curious soul to stumble upon it.

My Thoughts:

As I watched Charlotte's Net, I felt a visceral connection to the horrors unfolding on screen. This isn't just a movie—it's a nightmare that taps into our deepest fears about the internet. The plot follows a group of friends who innocently stumble upon a mysterious website, only to find themselves trapped in a web of terror that defies logic and reason. As they delve deeper into the dark corners of "Charlotte's Net," they uncover real-life gore footage, sinister forces, and an unrelenting sense of dread that builds with every click.

Through my eyes, the characters’ journey is a terrifying descent into madness, where the digital world they thought they knew becomes a living nightmare. The plot is relentless in its pursuit of fear, each scene more horrifying than the last, as the friends realize there’s no escape from the horrors they’ve uncovered. The film's use of real viral gore footage only intensifies the experience, making the terror feel disturbingly real.

What struck me most was the film’s exploration of the fragility of our digital lives. The characters' helplessness mirrors our own vulnerabilities in the face of the vast, unknown dangers that lurk online. The plot forces us to confront the uncomfortable truth that in the digital age, we are all just a click away from something unimaginable. By the end, I was left shaken, not just by the graphic content, but by the disturbing questions the film raises about our relationship with technology and the dark side of the internet.

In Charlotte's Net, every fear I’ve ever had about the digital world comes to life in the most terrifying way possible. It's a film that haunts you long after the credits roll, leaving you with a deep unease that’s hard to shake.

*NOTE I want to make it clear that I do not condone the exploitation of victims. However, I can respect art for the sake of art. Charlotte's Net does exactly what horror is supposed to do: it horrifies you, it disgusts you, and it pushes you to your limits. This film is revolting, wrong, and absolutely disturbing—but that’s the essence of horror. It's an experience, a feeling, and when combined with strong storytelling and well-developed characters, it becomes a powerful and unforgettable journey into the darkest corners of fear.

Summary:

When evaluating Charlotte's Net (2021), it's essential to break it down into three aspects: story, content, and quality.

Story (5/10): Let's be clear—the story is practically non-existent. The plot serves as nothing more than a thin maze, loosely justifying the transition from one gore video to the next. There's no depth, no character development, and no real narrative drive. It’s simply a vehicle to showcase disturbing content, which makes the story weak and almost irrelevant in the grand scheme. However, it's not annoying or ruins the overall vibe of the movie. But it does the job in keeping the plot moving and engaging.
Content (10/10): The content is where this film truly hits hard. It’s not just disturbing; it’s deeply unsettling. The use of real viral gore footage makes the horror feel disturbingly authentic, ensuring that viewers will be affected on a visceral level. This is where the movie excels—it’s designed to disturb, disgust, and leave a lasting impression, which it does with chilling effectiveness.
Quality (8/10): While the film is undeniably low-budget, with much of it relying on found footage and the POV from the gore videos, it’s executed surprisingly well. The setup is tight, and despite the minimalistic approach, the filmmakers make the most out of what they have. The transitions between real footage and the film’s narrative are seamless, creating a cohesive experience that’s shockingly effective. This is the epitome of "working smart, not hard," as they manage to craft a strong shock film out of limited resources.

The bottom line is this: Charlotte's Net is not just a horror movie; it’s an experience designed to push boundaries and challenge your limits. But let me be loud and clear—the death scenes in this film are real snuff videos that have circulated through the darkest corners of the internet. This is not a movie for the faint of heart, and I do NOT recommend it to anyone who even slightly doubts whether they should watch it. This film is not just unsettling; it’s a full-on assault on the senses and the psyche.