Cyberbully (2015)

Cyberbully is a surprisingly effective, well-paced thriller considering the small world issues it faces and the small world environment in which it takes place. Within only five minutes, I was hooked. First off the bat, Maisie Williams was startlingly good as Casey, the film's only real actress, and she carries the short film on her young shoulders. She wanes between hysterical and depressed and upset with talent that escapes her more high profile Game of Thrones co- stars. The direction is superb - the film is as taut as a wire for most of its first half.However, where the film's best and worst assets are is in its screenplay. For the first 45 minutes or so, I was captivated by the interplay between Casey and her hacker. Then when he begins goading her into committing suicide, I was taken out of the film and never got back in. Had the film concluded with the hacker being a suicide victim's father, I would have been much happier with it. Instead, it goes on and on, and whilst the conclusion was quite effective, once the hacker's motives became too dark and convoluted, it was hard to remain as engrossed as I was earlier.Overall, Cyberbully is an important film, tackling its subject matter with strength and poise, and is carried by strong direction and an amazing performance from Maisie Williams.

This movie was like Locke and 12 Angry Men in the sense that it was filmed in one location throughout the entirety of the movie. The dialogue and performance was what sustained the brilliance of the chilling plot. The acting by Maisie Williams was very real and it just completely engaged me in the storyline from the first scene. The fact that the hacker's identity is made unclear makes the villain unique and very sinister. What I also like about it is that the location that takes place is very innocent because it takes place in a teenage girls room, however you are still left on edge for every second that goes on. As the story goes on the girls life begins to crumble and spiral into a disaster she cannot escape from. Brilliant, Exciting, Original and thrilling, all I can say is... Watch the movie!!!

As teenager Casey prepares for a night out she listens to music on her computer; strangely it keeps changing track. She contacts her friend Megan to ask if she has had problems and she says her account was once hacked. While talking Megan alerts to an offensive tweet posted by Casey's ex-boyfriend. They discuss getting revenge and a mutual friend gives Casey access to the boy's twitter account; she posts an embarrassing tweet suggesting he is impotent. She is then contacted by the boy who helped her… but it isn't… she soon realises somebody is impersonating him; somebody who has access to her computer and thus her webcam. He starts talking in an electronic voice; in his words 'like a constipated Stephen Hawking'. The voice claims to help victims of online bullying but Casey doesn't understand; surely he is bullying her. Things are suddenly turned around as he points out her online activity could be construed as bullying; she protests that she was just having a laugh until he shows her the effects of what she started. If he isn't to post topless pictures of her to the net she will have to do exactly what he says…This TV drama was utterly gripping, it takes place almost entirely within Casey's bedroom and apart from people on the screen of her laptop Casey is the only character we see. As such the story succeeds or fails on how believable Casey is and thanks to Maisie Williams' brilliant performance I totally believed in her character; so much so that I barely thought of Arya Stark… her character in 'Game of Thrones'; a series that had be engrossed a couple of weeks ago. The one room setting and the fact that Casey is the only person physically in the room, and isn't allowed to leave the room, gives the story a claustrophobic feel and makes her seem alone. Shot in real time; often from the point of view of her webcam or in extreme close-up it feels as though she is caught like a rabbit in the headlights unable to avoid the fate her tormentor has planned.The nature of the story means it is the sort of thing that should be shown to teenagers as a warning; just because one thinks something is a 'bit of a laugh' doesn't mean others won't feel bullied; especially when more and more people get involved and none thinking about the target of their laughs. It also emphasises that one should be careful what one does on line and to remember that those 'special photos' can fall into the wrong hands. The ending is empowering rather than the depressing one I feared. Her tormentor's ability to hack into her computer, her phone and friends' accounts seemed a little far-fetched, although I'm no computer expert, but it served the needs of the drama. The only thing I found a bit disappointing was the strong language… yes it was totally believable but it might make some people think it unsuitable for the people who most need to see it. Overall a brilliant one off drama that should be seen by teenagers and those with teenaged children.

'Cyberbully' is genuinely one of the best short dramas I've seen in channel four in a long time. Knowing that it is based on true stories make it more relatable to audiences of teenagers who are the victims and also speaks to those who ARE the bully whether it be in person or on the web, and this could easily happen to someone one in your school life. It makes you realise that anything posted on the internet can last a life time and that kids should consider and be responsible for what they post or say online as it could end up wreaking someone's life. Maisie Williams who plays Casey, gives an amazing performance as the one off drama is essentially based around her character in her own bedroom, she gives layers to her character and manages to hold her own. She is a rising star for me and will watch more of her work in the future.The most chilling thing for me is that a hacker manages to get in to her computer which is a warning that it could happen to you and makes me think about how easily it could happen of I was ever careless online. I would recommend this to future parents to help them understand he risks and to make sure their children use the internet safely.