Joe Keery is the engine that keeps Spree from veering into pure cynicism. He portrays Kurt with a terrifying "nice guy" mask that occasionally slips to reveal a hollow, pathetic core. Kurt isn't a calculating mastermind; he’s a bumbling, awkward striver who views human beings as mere "content." Keery’s ability to pivot from a goofy influencer smile to a cold, predatory stare is genuinely chilling. Social Satire: The Hunger for Validation
Kotlyarenko captures the film almost entirely through the "small screens" that dominate our lives: iPhones, GoPros, dashcams, and the chaotic, scrolling side-bars of Instagram Live feeds. This "screen-life" aesthetic is more than a gimmick; it creates a claustrophobic sense of voyeurism. We aren't just watching a movie; we are watching a stream, complete with real-time comments from trolls, fans, and skeptics that highlight the internet's desensitization to real-world horror. Joe Keery’s Performance Spree ComГ©dia, Thriller 2020 1h 33m 5.9
While the 5.9 rating likely reflects some viewers' distaste for the film's relentless kinetic energy and its unlikable protagonist, Spree is a highly effective, mean-spirited satire. It captures the specific anxiety of the 2020s—the fear of being invisible in an era of constant surveillance. It’s a messy, violent, and deeply uncomfortable watch, but as a critique of modern attention-seeking, it is undeniably sharp. Joe Keery is the engine that keeps Spree
Spree is a cautionary tale that suggests the only thing more dangerous than a killer is a killer who needs you to "hit the bell and subscribe." Joe Keery’s Performance While the 5
Spree (2020) is a jagged, neon-soaked descent into the desperate vacuum of social media clout, playing like a "Taxi Driver" for the TikTok generation. Directed by Eugene Kotlyarenko, the film thrives on a manic, high-wire performance by Joe Keery, who successfully sheds his "Stranger Things" charm to play Kurt Kunkle—a man so devoid of identity that he is willing to murder for a follower count. The Premise: Murder for Engagement
The film follows Kurt, a ride-share driver for a fictional app called "Spree," who has spent a decade trying to go viral with zero success. His desperation culminates in "The Lesson," a livestreamed killing spree where he poisons his passengers using contaminated water bottles. The horror isn't just in the violence, but in Kurt’s running commentary; he treats mass murder like a "how-to" tutorial, constantly checking his view count and pleading for "likes" as the body count rises. Visual Style and Immersion
The film hits hardest when it satirizes the influencer economy. Sasheer Zamata plays Jessie Adams, a successful stand-up comedian who serves as Kurt’s foil. While Jessie has the "fame" Kurt craves, she is equally exhausted by the performance required to maintain it. The movie asks a biting question: In a world where "if it isn't filmed, it didn't happen," where does the performance end and the person begin?