Deadstream was released on Shudder in October 2022, following its SXSW 2022 premiere, and will be available on a Walmart-exclusive Steelbook Blu-ray on July 18th. Vanessa Winter and Joseph Winter directed and wrote the horror comedy, and now is an excellent opportunity to watch it again or for the first time.
Joseph Winter stars as Shawn, an obnoxious YouTuber who was rightfully canceled after some ridiculous, tone-deaf stunts. On a mission to reclaim his followers and sponsors, he livestreams his journey to a rumored haunted house named “Death Manor.” As legions of people tune in, his visit goes from a bad episode of Ghost Hunters to an over-the-top night of horror. Can Shawn survive the ordeal and face what goes bump in the night? Will he succumb to whatever haunts Death Manor?
Vanessa and Joseph Winter are a husband and wife team who previously wrote and directed the V/H/S/99 segment “To Hell and Back.” The duo is clearly in the right line of business, as Deadstream is one of the most entertaining horror comedies in years. Joseph Winter’s dialogue is absurdly hilarious, carried by his near-perfect comedic timing. In this era of reels, YouTube, and Twitch, we have all seen a “Shawn” come across our feed. Winter’s take on this type of social media character was so brilliantly spot-on. And, at times, scarily accurate.
The film utilized practical FX quite a bit, which is great to see in modern horror films. The makeup and props were comparable to a well-produced Halloween haunted house. Despite Deadstream’s modest budget, it’s clear that time and effort were put into creating the most enjoyable experience for viewers possible. Joseph Winter’s high-pitched, whining screams only enhanced the whole experience.
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Although there are some creepy moments, fun jump scares, and a spooky mystery, Deadstream isn’t necessarily scary. But it’s clear that the purpose here is to laugh with and at Shawn as he is tormented in this house from hell. And as he’s put through the wringer, there’s no shortage of laughter.
You can watch Deadstream on Shudder now or pick up the Steelbook Blu-ray at Walmart. Check out the trailer on YouTube.
