Watch Profile

Profile is an 2021 thrilling drama film that takes modern technology to a whole new level. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, the movie is based on a true story and follows the journey of a journalist named Amy Whittaker (played by Valene Kane). Amy is trying to create a story on a group of young women who had gone to Syria and joined ISIS. She decides to use social media and starts contacting a recruiter named Bilel (Lawson Greyson). She creates a fake profile of a girl named Melody Nelson and contacts Bilel through Facebook. Slowly but surely, Bilel begins to fall for 'Melody' and decides to take her under his wing, teaching her about Islam and life in Syria.

The movie displays its content by screen recording the laptop of the protagonist as she navigates across various social media sites and chats with her informants. The whole movie is shown as if it's being played on a computer screen, as if the audience is taking on the role of the journalist. This format may be new for some people but definitely an exciting twist that adds a modern era of storytelling. The movie is set in London and the visuals used in the movie are impactful and keep the audience engaged in the story.

The chemistry between Amy and Bilel is very well portrayed. Bilel comes across as a charming and intelligent man who is not only trying to help the women he recruits but is also doing his bit to help Syria achieve freedom. As the movie progresses, the tension starts to build up, as Bilel becomes more demanding and his intentions become more radicalized. The movie brings into light the power of social media and how it can easily manipulate an individual's emotions.

Valene Kane as Amy Whittaker delivers an exceptional performance as the protagonist. She is determined to get her story and will stop at nothing to get the truth. She is not only risking her life but also the lives of those around her. She is desperately trying to get closer to the heart of ISIS, but in the process, she puts her own life in danger. Lawson Greyson as Bilel delivers a strong performance, his character being both charming and manipulative.

The movie touches many themes such as love, radicalization, religion, terrorism, and the overwhelming power of the internet. The movie starts as a typical online meeting between a journalist and a terrorist but it ends up becoming a mind game between the two characters. The movie showcases how journalists can easily be manipulated if they try to go too deep into the wrong territory. The recruitment process is shown in detail and it is saddening to see how vulnerable young people can easily be exploited due to the power of social media.

The movie's pacing is slow but as the movie progresses, the tension starts to build up slowly, and the audience is on the edge of their seats. The climax of the movie is unexpected and leaves the audience with many thoughts and unanswered questions. The movie is a modern take on journalism and shows how easily social media can be manipulated. It's a cautionary tale for people and a reminder to be responsible while using social media.

In conclusion, Profile is definitely a thrilling movie that deals with a serious subject matter. The movie showcases the power of social media and how easily it can manipulate an individual's thoughts and emotions. The format of the movie is unique and refreshing, though it may not be everyone's cup of tea. The performances by both the lead actors are outstanding, especially Valene Kane, whose portrayal of Amy is powerful and impactful. The movie may be slow at times but it definitely picks up momentum as it progresses, leaving a bittersweet taste in the mouth.

Profile is a 2021 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.