| Don’t Log Off is a COVID-set horror/thriller, and we’re talking early pandemic. Five years ago can seem like such a long time ago right now, so this can feel a little dated. The setting is arguably an easy excuse for the virtual set-up and why the whole group of friends who live in the same city are on-line and not in-person. But whether you consider this gimmicky or not, it works. | | 2025
Directed by: Brandon Baer, Garrett Baer
Screenplay by: Brandon Baer, Garrett Baer
Starring: Kara Royster, Khylin Rambo, Luke Benward, Ariel Winter
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The film ends up making really good use of the all-online, multi-screen and therefore multi-location set-up. Lots of limitations are established with this style but it all works to the benefit of the plot.
A group of six friends (and one absent friend) are hosting a zoom surprise birthday party for Sam – don’t think it’s much of a surprise, and it’s definitely not much of a party, but we’ve all been there. But when Sam goes off camera and never comes back, the friends get confused, worried, concerned, and start figuring out ways to track her down or go looking for her themselves.
It starts a little slow. A lot of time is spent on establishing the characters, and it definitely feels like too much time early on; however, all of the character development starts paying off when the action develops and the friends start disappearing one by one. Each of their reactions and proposed solutions fit their characters perfectly, so every development makes sense. Some developments can be a little too obvious, but I greatly prefer predictable outcomes to nonsensical outcomes. The latter is usually my main problem with these types of indie thrillers, so the organic developments here help a lot.
The character dynamics also give way to a decent amount of humour. The tension and suspension builds very well throughout the movie, and the humour is nicely used to help mitigate that suspense when needed.
I am very impressed and very pleased with how well this film maintained the intrigue and mystery and the suspense. It’s an easy movie to watch and become completely invested in and viewers are likely to have genuine concern for the safety of the characters.
I am going to keep this review spoiler-free, so I’ll just say it’s not a supernatural horror (which it could have been with this premise) and remains on the mystery/thriller side of horror. Reminiscent of Missing (2023) with its use of online tools to help aid in the search for clues. There’s mystery and tension and humour all of which are used effectively. The ending is predictable, but it’s one of those satisfyingly predictable endings.
Don’t Log Off succeeds with what it’s going for. Might seem dated or gimmicky or predictable to some, but it’s also a gripping watch that makes great use of its zoom pandemic setting.
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