Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
A disgraced internet personality attempts to win back his followers by livestreaming one night alone in a haunted house. But when he accidentally unleashes a vengeful spirit, his big comeback event becomes a real-time fight for his life.
Deadstream is a genuinely inventive found-footage horror-comedy that earns its Novelty score by blending livestream screenlife aesthetics with gonzo Sam Raimi-esque practical effects and a deeply committed comic performance from its lead. The social media influencer framing feels fresh and pointed without being heavy-handed. The plot is functional but fairly thin — a haunted house premise elevated mostly by energy and execution rather than story ingenuity. The acting is anchored by Joseph Winter's committed, physical, and often hilarious lead turn, though the supporting cast is minimal. Cinematography is constrained by the found-footage conceit but uses the multiple-camera livestream setup creatively. The ending deflates somewhat, leaning into chaos without a satisfying payoff, which hurts its overall landing. A cult gem that punches above its budget.