Fear Dot Com (2002)

Feardotcom

"Feardotcom" is why contemporary horror films have such a bad reputation. It's a by-the-numbers take on the ol' haunted Internet yarn, complete with a ludicrous misunderstanding of basic technology. The movie depends on its viewers to have no idea how the Internet works, and probably even what it is. I don't mind highly improbable story, but there is a limit. There's an acceptable ratio between stupidity and quality. A film with a moronic plot could be rescued by other features such as an effective, creepy atmosphere, or interesting characters with great acting. Unfortunately, "Feardotcom" is a thoroughly mediocre movie. Throw it all together and you've got a guaranteed loser.

Granted, this film isn't as bad as some of the remakes of Japanese horror films that we're seeing every few months now. It's got a few effective scenes and Natascha McElhone always turns in a solid effort. I can't recommend this to anyone, but I suppose if you're in the mood for a very so-so movie that isn't completely awful with decent pacing, I suppose this would suffice. July 28, 2008

Medicore Horror Film

FearDotCom is another medicore horror film that come out in 2002. The cinematography is okay but the film is confusing, full of plot holes and has no redeming values to it. William Malone who directed the vastly superior House On Haunted Hill should be ashamed of hisself and Stephen Dorff(good actor) whose last film Deuces Wild (good movie) bombed at the box office has another flop on his hands. Skip this one April 2, 2008

where's the "no stars" rating?

I love a good horror film. When I saw this one I knew a classic had been born. Not of horror, though. A classic in that for the first time ever assembled in one place are all the things a producer doesn't want to do with a film. The non-existent story develops into something so inane and not scary that I briefly contemplated suing them for the minutes of my life that were wasted. Why don't some of these vendors offer to pay us to take this movie! As I think of this movie saying that it sucks offers too high of a praise. August 25, 2007

Horrible.

Absolutely horrible. Boring/confusing and could only watch about 30 minutes of it.. 30 minutes that were very forced. July 27, 2007

A mix between SAW and traditional ghost/monster horror

Fear Dot Com is an interesting mix of the human monster horror (Saw, Texas Chainsaw Massacre) and more `traditional' monster horror (Pulse, House on Haunted Hill). The plot is interesting, corpses appearing with red eyes that died of fear. A couple hard luck cops and a city health inspector start to investigate and find a grisley trail of torture and supernatural revenge.

The acting is good, engaging without being over the top. Most of the supernatural horror happens toward the end of the movie, and before that it is mostly horrific torture. Sitting through this is worth it, just because of the end graphics, which are almost a perfect copy of the ghostly graphics of House on Haunted Hill, which was also directed by William Malone.

Over all, the mystery unfolds at a good pace, enough to keep you engaged without being too fast and the story is both classic and just novel enough. Though some of the technology already seems dated, though it is just 4 years old, it isn't so bad you can't watch the movie. It is still a fun, scary movie with some great graphics and a twisted plot.

Recommended, especially for fans of House on Haunted Hill or William Malone.
January 21, 2007

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