Rating summary

Movie		1.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		3.5

Feardotcom Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 29, 2024

2002’s “FeardotCom” is one of many pictures seeking to use the mysteries of technology to fuel a tale of horror. In this case, the vessel is the internet and its lawless ways, and writer Josephine Coyle endeavors to turn the world wide web into a curse movie, taking inspiration from Japanese genre offerings and American serial killer features. Director William Mallone (who did okay with his 1999 remake of “House on Haunted Hill”) has a wacky premise to sell, and he approaches the material with a generic severity he can’t manage for the run time. “FeardotCom” is derivative, repetitive, and dull, playing into fright film trends of the day without a real effort to make something insane with a ludicrous plot. Instead, the movie falls apart almost immediately.

In the city, Detective Mike (Stephen Dorff) is investigating a series of strange deaths, soon joined by Terry (Natascha McElhone), a Department of Health investigator who notices something odd about the bodies. The duo interview those connected to the murders, making their way to the “feardotcom.com” site, where serial killer Alistair, a.k.a. “The Doctor” (Stephen Rea), collects and tortures his victims for an online audience, greatly enjoying his work. Mike has a past connection to Alistair, determined to bring the madman down, but his visit to the website physically infects him with a virus, sending him on a 48-hour-long downward spiral of hallucinations and fears before death. Terry is determined to stop Alistair’s wrath, getting close to his base of operations while untangling the mystery of Jeannie (Gesine Cukrowksi), a ghostly figure who acts as the host of feardotcom.com.

What’s a little strange about “FeardotCom” is its limited use of the internet. While the tale concerns online voyeurism and snuff content, the screenplay generally stays away from computers, preferring to detail the usual in detective story business. This includes Mike, who’s been trying to nail Alistair for years, with the killer freely roaming around the city clutching a camcorder, enticing young women into his lair for public dissection. Terry is also on the case, and Malone clearly aims to revive the visual presence of 1995’s “Seven,” offering a dark, gloomy, and urban study of detective work, following the investigators as they hunt for clues in a nihilistic world.

One of the issues facing “FeardotCom” is its supernatural elements, which aren’t clearly defined. Malone uses ghosts to amplify his attempts at atmosphere, investing in nu metal music video visuals to bring nightmarish encounters to life, and he returns to the same idea of torment repeatedly, trying to boost the floundering picture’s horror content. The mystery of Jeannie isn’t compelling, and visits to feardotcom.com aren’t scary. It’s up to Rea to bring something disturbing to the feature, but his mad doctor routine veers into silliness due to his overacting and unsteady American accent (Brit actress McElhone also loses this war). Alistair is goofy, not terrifying, but Malone works to push the wicked man as a force of evil, joining Jeannie’s strange seduction as she tempts users into accepting a curse.

Feardotcom Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.34:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as the "uncut international version, approved by director William Malone." It appears an older source has been used for this release, but some level of detail is acceptable throughout the viewing experience, finding skin particulars passably textured, also doing okay with makeup additions. Decorative additions are appreciable. Colors favor a muted palette, as steely blues and grays register as intended. Brighter elements, such as hair color and medical outfits, are also stable. Delineation is satisfactory, exploring a very dark movie at times, but nothing appears to be lost. Grain is heavy, somewhat blocky at times. Issues arrive with mild banding and brief posterization.

Feardotcom Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix provides immersive atmospherics, working hollow spaces and ghostly encounters into the surrounds, playing with movement at times. Dialogue exchanges are sharp, exploring performance choices and accents with clarity. Scoring supports as expected, offering defined instrumentation and horror emphasis. Low-end adequately explores moments of violence. Sound effects are crisp.

Feardotcom Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (10 pages) features an essay by Justin LaLiberty.

• Commentary #1 features director William Malone.

• Commentary #2 features film historian Nathaniel Thompson and Troy Howarth.

• "Return to Fear" (26:40, HD) is an interview with director William Malone, conducted by film historian Steven Jay Rubin. Inspired by horror movies as a child, Malone pursued his love of the genre throughout his formative years, forming a dream to make his own scary picture one day. After 1999's "House on Haunted Hill" found success, Malone was offered many sequels of the day, more interested in crafting something "fresh," ending up on "FeardotCom" after producer Moshe Diamant was pressured to start production quickly. Tone and cinematographic choices are identified, and Malone refers to the offering as "the darkest movie ever made." Casting choices are identified and a deeper dive into the visual appearance of the endeavor is provided, putting heavy emphasis on atmosphere. The production experience is recalled, as Malone dealt with the cold and a varied crew to complete the feature. Most interesting is the interviewee's thoughts on the title, openly hating "FeardotCom," as Diamant failed to follow through on his promise to change it. The release of the feature is detailed, as a "harder" cut was prepared for European audiences, while the failure of the effort in America is rumored to involve Warner Brothers and their hesitancy to challenge the Steven Spielberg- produced remake of "The Ring."

• "Undertaking Cinema" (9:03, HD) visits the "FeardotCom" set, with this compilation of B-roll footage displaying the production in motion. Cast and crew camaraderie is highlighted, and creative interactions are common, watching the team assemble shots and handle takes. It's a fascinating look at the moviemaking machine.

• "Visions of Fear" (5:06, SD) is a vintage EPK featurette exploring the creation of "FeardotCom." Interviewees include director William Malone and actors Jeffrey Combs, Natascha McElhone, and Stephen Dorff. Conversation briefly covers the story and its internet inspiration, with a few participants hinting at an A.I. future to come. Malone shows some excitement when detailing the material's dissection of fear, but the actors look very tired, trying to articulate thoughts as they attempt to sell the movie.

• Additional Scene (5:01, SD) is titled "The Mushroom Factory," and it features an introduction from director William Malone.

• "The Horror of Technology" (15:34, HD) is a video essay by Samm Deighan.

• "Location Scout" (15:14, HD) takes viewers to 2001, when director William Malone traveled to spooky, abandoned areas of Luxembourg to find just the right stages of decay to fit the look of "FeardotCom."

• Image Gallery (5:29) collects marketing art, website captures, publicity shots, and film stills.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:17, SD) is included.

Feardotcom Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"FeardotCom" aims to be creepy, visiting industrial areas and underlit living spaces. There are visions of horror (mostly involving cockroaches) and displays of suffering. Malone doesn't have a big imagination for scary events, and his command of storytelling is tenuous at best, leaving viewers with a lot more questions than answers as Terry and Mike get close to the source of madness. "FeardotCom" isn't supported by great performances or inventive filmmaking. It's woefully uninspired and lethargic, passing on a chance to go insane with an idea that's built for a berserk take, especially when using the burgeoning unknown of the internet circa 2000.