Friended to Death
By Amanda Nojadera,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Facebook satire mixes positive messages with profanity.
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Friended to Death
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What's the Story?
Michael Harris (Ryan Hansen) loves two things: giving out parking tickets and using social media. After losing his dream job and his BFF, Joel (Zach McGowan), on the same day, Michael turns to his ex-coworker, Emile Lewis (James Immekus). The two form an unlikely "friendship" when Michael decides to fake his own death in an elaborate online scheme to see how many of his friends actually care about him. As his web of lies begins to unravel, Michael must learn what it truly means to be a friend both online and offline, or, as Michael might say "IRL," in real life.
Is It Any Good?
In her engaging bro-mantic comedy FRIENDED TO DEATH, director Sarah Smick shows just how easy it is to fall prey to the delusions of "friendships" created via social media. The plot, while rather simple, makes it very clear that Michael is a narcissistic jerk who gets a major reality check that forces him to reevaluate his relationships with others. Teens will understand Michael's "speak in text" acronyms and laugh at the characters' many "bro" nicknames, but the movie's strong language does undercut its ability to showcase messages about friendship and Internet safety in a way that would be age appropriate for tweens and younger teens. Instead of comforting his "bro," But, language issues aside, Smick offers an important reminder to create meaningful friendships instead of isolating yourself in a social media bubble.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Michael's obsession with social media. Do you think social media plays a role in people's self-esteem? What are some ways to make sure the impact isn't a harmful one?
What do you think it means to be a friend in today's society, where "friends" are just a click away?
It's easy to laugh at Michael's obnoxious posts and obsession with being "liked," but it's important to remember to be smart about your online presence. What steps can you take to make sure that you're safe online?
Movie Details
- In theaters: May 2, 2014
- On DVD or streaming: December 2, 2014
- Cast: Ryan Hansen , James Immekus , Zach McGowan
- Director: Sarah Smick
- Studio: Green Step Productions
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Friendship
- Run time: 94 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: language including some crude sexual references
- Last updated: June 19, 2023
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