Murder.com (2008)

Murder.com Poster

Devastated upon receiving news that her estranged sister has been brutally murdered and frustrated that local police refuse to offer much help, a promising South Beach lawyer unearths some sordid details about her late sibling in this thriller highlighting the dangers of online dating.

Film Overview
"Murder.com" is a 2008 independent thriller/horror movie directed by Rex Piano and co-written by Rachel Long and Brian Pittman. The film stars Alexandra Paul, David Chokachi, and David Moretti. The movie uses an interesting narrative that revolves around internet dating, cheating, and a series of gruesome deaths.

Plot Summary
The story begins when lead character Stacy (played by Alexandra Paul) discovers her hubby is engaging in an online affair with a female named Tara. She chooses to confront Tara in person in Miami, only to be stunned upon her arrival when she learns that the female, who her other half was video-chatting with, was completely murdered the night prior to.

In the midst of horror and perplexity, Stacy becomes an instant murder suspect. Detective Peter Rafferty (David Chokachi), the murder investigator in charge of the case, initially assumes Stacy committed the murder out of jealousy over her husband's affair. However, Stacy convinces him of her innocence and insists they collectively investigate the murder to clear her name.

As they dig into the case, they discover that the victim is not Tara however a woman named Kelly. Kelly was a model who published videos on a website named "Miami Dreams". This twists the plot even more, leading to the discovery of a string of similar online affairs with different males involving numerous ladies. Unsettlingly, all these females wind up being gruesomely murdered cut to pieces.

Investigation and Reveal
While Detective Rafferty continues the investigation by checking the victim's financial resources and questioning her acquaintances, Stacy performs her own, separate examination, concentrating on the Miami Dreams website. More killings occur, with the killers using the same ruthless piercing and chopping approach used to kill Kelly.

Gradually, connections appear between the victims and the website. It ends up that Miami Dreams is not simply a modeling site, as it initially appears but a front for a far more sinister 'snuff' movie site, where members view the live-streamed murders of the females revealed on the website.

Conclusion
In the end, the duo discovers the masterminds behind these gruesome murders, a couple who happen to be Stacy's Miami hosts. They handle to bring them down after a tense showdown. Stacy shows her innocence and prospers in putting the killers behind bars, freeing her from the murder suspect's label.

Evaluation and Critic
Murder.com provides a cooling exploration of the dark side of the Internet and online dating. It takes its audiences on a wild trip of surprises and fear. The story is thrilling, although it consists of a couple of plot holes and doubtful progressions. In spite of a modest spending plan and minimal production design, the film manages to create a sense of fear and thriller quite effectively. The performances by the lead characters, specifically Alexandra Paul, are admirable.

Overall, "Murder.com" is a one-time watch flick for enthusiasts of the thriller/horror genre. Its suspenseful story and the mystery of the killer's identity keeps the audience amused till completion. However, it might not measure up to the expectation of audiences who take pleasure in more advanced storytelling and cinematography.

Top Cast

  • David Chokachi (small)
    David Chokachi
    Bobby
  • Robyn Lively (small)
    Robyn Lively
    Lauren
  • Alexandra Paul (small)
    Alexandra Paul
    Stacy
  • Matthew Mahaney (small)
    Matthew Mahaney
    Ben
  • David Shae (small)
    David Shae
    Roger
  • John Colton (small)
    John Colton
    Nate
  • Julien Fenton
    Breath Player
  • Matt Freeman
    Arthur
  • Marnie Crossen (small)
    Marnie Crossen
    Allice
  • Ellyn Daniels
    Karen
  • Brett Talmadge
    Wounded Officer