Watch Chatroom

Chatroom is a psychological thriller movie from the year 2010 directed by Hideo Nakata. The film revolves around a group of teenagers residing in London and their journey through a virtual world. William (Aaron Johnson) opens and monitors a chatroom for anyone who wants to join, and he finds four new people to join his chat room. Jim (Matthew Beard), a shy and withdrawn teen, spends most of his time chatting in that room, sulking and venting his frustrations with his alcoholic father. Eva (Imogen Poots), who is wild and fickle, takes a dislike to Jim, and Emily (Hannah Murray), who is delicate and sensitive, tries to defend Jim.

Mo (Daniel Kaluuya) is the last person to join the chat room, and he seems to be the only one with an objective. He likes to play mind games and manipulate the group's thoughts, making them believe things that are not necessarily true.

As the movie progresses, it focuses on the interaction between these characters, who communicate entirely through chat rooms, and their relationships and feelings towards one another. The film explores issues of peer pressure, cyberbullying, and depression.

Through constant banter and chat room games that Mo is always initiating, the four teens' lives become more complicated, often driving them to the edge. Jim, then, seems to be the central character with whom the others interact primarily. He becomes increasingly agitated, isolating himself from the real world and taking refuge in the chat room. However, Mo drags him deeper into his twisted and destructive plan, leading to disastrous and unpredictable consequences.

The movie's plot drives the audience to question whether Mo is merely a disrupter or something wicked and sinister, a psychological villain hiding behind those chat rooms. Nakata masterfully turns the chaotic virtual world into the main setting of the film.

The cinematography is both eerie and visually striking, and the sound design is as exceptional. It conveys the sense of physical detachment that is ever-present between the characters, and the constant hum of their computer keyboards becomes one of the film's subliminal themes.

The acting is also exceptional, with Aaron Johnson delivering a convincing portrayal of a troubled, lost young man leading the online chatroom. Imogen Poots brings to life the alluring yet dangerous Eva. Daniel Kaluuya stands out with his performance as the enigmatic, manipulative Mo.

However, despite the strong performances, engaging plot, and stunning visuals, Chatroom doesn't offer much resolution or closure. It leaves many questions unanswered and thereby aims to continue the discussion around both internet ethics and youth mental health.

In conclusion, Hideo Nakata's Chatroom movie is a fast-paced psychological thriller that builds up the tension and leaves viewers feeling uneasy. It highlights the dangers of online communication in a way that is as informative as it's highly entertaining. If you are looking for a thought-provoking and thrilling movie with an edge, then Chatroom is highly recommended.

Chatroom is a 2010 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.