Ratter - D-

Quick Hit- Another one of those horror/thrillers with a great idea that quickly tanks due to a poor script, terrible acting, and absolutely no idea on how to build tension in the correct manner.

​Ugh. I’ll preface this … rant (I think it’s going to be one, it sure feels like it) with this – I don’t think that I am necessarily the target demographic for the horror of this film. I don’t really use a webcam – I don’t think I ever have. I have a phone, most people do now. But the one key I think you need in order to have this movie have any meaning to you whatsoever is … (drumroll please) to be a woman.

Now I’m not saying that women can’t take care of themselves. I know many a woman that can kick my ass like a game of kick-the-can.

 However, the facts are the facts. The majority of assault victims are women. Most women are 

I highly recommend all people (men and women) to have some type of self-defense measure (pepper spray, small hidden knife, etc.) when you are traversing places alone. That will continue to make stuff like the subject matter of the film much less prevalent.

Prepare to see this face. A lot.

Anyways, moving on to the actual movie. It’s called Ratter, and there is no explanation for that. The main character is … I don’t actually know her name. Beth maybe?  (Nope just checked – it’s Emma) and she just moved to New York City – for… school? She’s in grad school? I don’t know that either for sure. There was some scene with a professor, but I’m not really sure. Anyways, she starts to date a guy, and then weird stuff starts happening on her computer and phone. It turns out someone is watching her through her cams.

Now, let’s see here. I really like the thought. I think it is terrifying that people could be watching/stalking you at all times through your personal devices. However, no matter how good somebody is, there is always going to be updated spy software etc. But that is beside the point. The believability of the film would be acceptable if the rest just wasn’t so bad. The main actress is bad. The supporting characters are bad. Many of the scenes Emma is just talking on the phone, and it is delivered with the standard monotony of an aspiring actress delivering her first scripted monologue. It’s so bad that it hurts at times.

This was my face the whole movie.

And there is the way it is shot! Again, really cool idea. I love… the idea. But the execution was terrible. Why is everything in shadow except for our character? How is she perfectly lit, but other people are literal silhouettes? ​ That is lazzzzzzzzzzzzzy film making and I just can’t accept that from any movie I am spending my time watching.
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And the ending – just stupid. Without giving away much (because there isn’t much to give away), the character has nothing to do with the rest of the movie. Again, lazy writing. I’m sure they could explain it away by saying “It was scarier that way” but excuses are like – you know the phrase.
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It's just a shadow people. Of probably a cardboard cut-out.

If you watch it, just think of all the things it could be. I give Ratter a big fat D-. Only reason it isn’t an F is because it was a good idea in the first place.

Check out IMDB for more on this movie - if you have to.