Film Review: Countdown, The Terrible Killer Application

What is the most fun thing in life? Playing with applications is one of them. Really, the applications installed on our smartphones. Social climbing with social media Instagram for example. Or compete with Twitter social media.

Ah, what happens if an application can determine how much time we have left to live? Through the countdown feature, the application can tell how many years, days, until the remaining seconds we have before death picks up. At least that is the main idea displayed on Countdown; a horror film directed by Justin Dec, released in October 2019. Immediately aired in Indonesian cinema, following the film Countdown review?

Revocation Application

There is nothing wrong with life Quinn Haris (Elizabeth Lail) so far. As a new nurse in a hospital and undergoing her daily routine. However, reality speaks differently when he finds himself only having two days to survive. Haris downloaded the application after he found out from one of the patients he was treating. Can Haris run away from the fact that his life has been threatened and is counted on an application for life-taking?

It is undeniable that the story ideas offered in this film are quite interesting and intriguing. Especially with the existence of 'application' which is the main key to the story concept. Certainly very relevant in the context of today's society, where digital technology has now become an inseparable entity with humans.

Through good execution and writing, this film has the potential to present its own dystopia- style world like the Black Mirror universe where exploration of the relationship between technology and human life can be highlighted in the film.

No-Load Horror 

The countdown is referred to as one of the horror films. You know for sure, if you watch a horror movie, it should be carried away with a terrible atmosphere throughout the story. However, to be called horror also feels inappropriate. Thriller, does not feel gripping at all. Especially the terror of psychology. The countdown is just trying to put the side of the relevance of humans who are trapped in cyberspace. These people then feel fear with the things that happen around him.

Again, this film also failed to explore this. Instead of presenting a story like a universe Black Mirror, Countdown is just a horror film that relies on cheap jumpscare and interesting actors. Throughout the film, we are forced to follow the adventures of the main character in negotiating strategy of the "demon of death" who happens doing side job role as an app developer (application developers). Various ways such as hacking into the server until finally, reinforcements come from an eccentric priest, the main character must find a way to defeat the taker of life.

The plot offered also makes no sense and even seems like a joke. The main character is also less able to bring each scene to be gripping, the action is so plain and less convincing. Not to mention the chemistry that can't be found among the characters in the film. The author also tries to include the emotional side by displaying the background of a touching story about the main character's family. Again, this emotional side failed to be explored deeper to be displayed due to the lack of chemistry between characters.

Even so, Countdown becomes a horror film that is suitable for you who want to be triggered by adrenaline. In addition, the sound effect in this film is consistent so that success makes the atmosphere increasingly tense. Dare to watch the film?