Nerve: A Thrilling Ride for Teens, But May Leave Adults Wanting More
“Nerve” presents itself as a decent teen techno-thriller, boasting attractive lead actors. However, it might not fully satisfy adult viewers seeking a more profound or nuanced cinematic experience.
The story revolves around Vee (Emma Roberts), a high school senior with aspirations of attending a prestigious art school. Facing financial constraints, she discovers “Nerve,” a trendy underground online game that divides participants into “watchers” and “players.” Players accept dares for monetary rewards, with the prize increasing with the risk. Watchers, on the other hand, pay to suggest challenges and monitor the players through computers and cell phones. Vee, typically shy and reserved, is spurred by her friend’s taunts and her own financial woes to sign up as a player. She soon teams up with Ian (Dave Franco), a more experienced player, and together they begin receiving increasingly dangerous dares from anonymous watchers.
The Directors’ Vision
The directorial duo of Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman gained recognition in 2010 with their documentary “Catfish,” which explored the elaborate fabrications people create for themselves in online social networks. Since then, Joost and Schulman have directed the third and fourth installments of the “Paranormal Activity” series, but they haven’t forgotten the allure and peril of the internet.
Their latest feature film, based on the novel of the same name by Jeanne Ryan, delves into the lengths young people will go to for “likes” and the actions of their peers who “like” popular figures and discuss their exploits and failures. While “Nerve” isn’t the first film to explore this theme, it stands out as one of the more plausible depictions. Despite some apparent technical flaws, much of what is portrayed in “Nerve” could be realized in the near future, which is somewhat unsettling.
A Slow Burn That Doesn’t Quite Ignite
“Nerve” doesn’t immediately reveal its darker side. The film begins as a romantic adventure, with watchers instructing Vee to kiss a stranger at a diner, and she chooses an attractive guy who is also playing “Nerve.” Vee and Ian’s initial challenges are similarly harmless pranks. However, as soon as Vee believes she has found a quick and painless way to earn money, the stakes escalate dramatically, and new dares require her and her partner to risk their lives. Vee can quit at any time, but doing so would mean forfeiting all the money she has earned that night. Thus, the watchers challenge her to push her limits.
As the film progresses, “Nerve” ventures into thriller and even horror territory. However, the film hesitates to go as far as it could in such a narrative. Discerning viewers will quickly notice that after an intriguing start and an effective middle, the film tends to hint at punches rather than deliver them outright towards the end. Even the finale, which aims for extreme “intensity,” feels rather tame once all the behind-the-scenes machinations are revealed.
Targeted Audience
The reason for this restraint, as the filmmakers acknowledge, is that they aimed “Nerve” at teenagers, hoping the film could teach them something. Consequently, Joost and Schulman not only tailored the plot to meet PG-13 rating requirements but also ensured that the film would impress high schoolers without giving them nightmares. As a result, “Nerve” feels underdeveloped, not only compared to adult horror and thriller films but also compared to teen-oriented films like “The Hunger Games.”
The Cast
The main characters are played by Emma Roberts and Dave Franco, who are attractive enough to carry the film but not charismatic enough to smooth over all the awkwardness of the script, which is primarily concentrated in the second half of the film. There is little help for them, because all the other young actors in the film are much worse.
Thus, the best scenes in the film are the episodes where Vee and Ian are alone together, without the ensemble. Perhaps the greatest enjoyment from “Nerve” will be had by those who watch the film as a love story with far more driving action than usual in melodramas and romantic comedies. Well, that’s not bad either. By the way, Franco looks great without a shirt. Unlike Roberts, whose beauty does not change from exposure.
In conclusion, “Nerve” is a film that may resonate more with a younger audience due to its themes and execution. While it offers some thrills and a glimpse into the potential dangers of online culture, it may leave adult viewers wanting a more daring and impactful cinematic experience.
