‘LifeHack’ Review: A Pulse-Pounding Screenlife Heist Film

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Screenlife movies and producer Timur Bekmambetov are a perfect match, similar to wine and cheese. This type of film, derived from found footage, unfolds entirely on computer or phone screens, a unique approach that has made significant strides since its inception in 2002 with the experimental film “The Collingswood Story”. Bekmambetov has overseen various genres within this format, including horror (“Unfriended”), suspenseful dramas (“Searching”), and even Shakespeare adaptations (“R#J”). With “LifeHack”, directed by Ronan Corrigan, the genre confidently ventures into heist movie territory. For enthusiasts of this style, it’s a delightful experience that you might find enjoyable.

Typically, heist movies follow a group of polished, experienced criminals as they strategize and execute their plan to steal from a specific location, such as the vault in “Ocean’s 11.” In contrast, the era of cryptocurrency and digital wallets presents an opportunity for newcomer Corrigan to subvert these conventions through the story of four socially isolated teenagers eager to make their mark. The visual richness of “LifeHack” is so pronounced that it seems as though the Screenlife format was tailor-made for this narrative. This film showcases hacking scenes that are more authentic than what Hollywood usually provides, with data, jokes, and internet culture popping up at breakneck speed, just like they do in the lives of Gen Z — except here, the images are meticulously selected by human hands instead of being generated algorithmically. The outcome is a comedy that is genuinely amusing and ultimately heart-pounding, with a pacing that mirrors a heist itself.

The movie challenges the traditional screens-only premise by predominantly showcasing action that takes place off-screen, such as security camera footage, FaceTime calls, and more. However, it maintains a focused perspective through the eyes of one character – the English slacker Kyle (played by Georgie Farmer). The movie portrays all these windows to the world on Kyle’s computer, with occasional glimpses from his smartphone. To introduce its main characters and relationships, the film employs a swift, concise montage using footage from each character’s old YouTube pages (which are common among young actors nowadays). The movie effectively sets up the key connections between Kyle, his ambitious childhood friend in America, Petey (James Vinh Scholz); his lively companion, the fellow Englishman Sid (Roman Hayeck-Green); and his American crush Alex (Yasmin Finney), who hides a somber past beneath her bright demeanor.

The group of four friends mostly spends time playing online first-person shooter games together, but since they have diverse talents, they also engage in a popular emerging type of online entertainment: identifying and confronting online scammers who pretend to be U.S. authorities. This form of vigilante prank-reversal not only showcases their hacking skills, but it also highlights the Wild West ethics of the modern internet, where anything goes as long as one can justify it in their own mind.

The plot unfolds as they devise their grand scheme: orchestrating a cryptocurrency heist by amassing all the intel they can on tech magnate and controversial media figure Don Heard, who serves as a Musk-like character with a sharper edge and hidden dangerous secrets. Uncovering the group’s modus operandi is intriguing, starting with an assault on Don via his social media influencer daughter Lindsey. As they get closer to acquiring enough information, their self-assurance grows along with their mounting fear and apprehension, making “LifeHack” a suspenseful viewing experience. However, the film doesn’t forget to explore what drives them to undertake this mission. There are plenty of casual conversations sprinkled throughout each stage of their plan that offer insights into their personal lives, which often feature overbearing or absent parents, subtly portraying their reckless crypto venture as a bold act of youthful defiance.

Soon enough, the movie’s ethical gray area raises additional complicated queries about whether their actions are justified (beyond the legal risks). Though they present altruistic reasons for their actions, moments showing Corrigan and his troupe excited by success suggest otherwise. Before you realize it, the scamming and attempts to avoid being caught form a cycle that twists in unexpected ways, pushing the group into difficult situations and increasing internal conflicts.

Reaching its peak in a thrilling climax involving both real-life and on-screen scenes (depicted on Kyle’s computer), “LifeHack” skillfully blends action from heist sequences with intimate character moments. These elements are captivating throughout the film. The techno soundtrack maintains an energetic pace, ensuring the movie remains dynamic, even during brief pauses.

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2025-03-14 03:19