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
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. Spree ComГ©dia, Thriller 2020 1h 33m 5.9
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? Spree (2020) is a jagged, neon-soaked descent into
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 It captures the specific anxiety of the 2020s—the
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."
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