Written by: Strega Cerbone-Colangelo
Little Oliver is autistic. While autism is frequently discussed, autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. … The ways in which people with autism learn, think and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. Hence, it’s pretty hard for Oliver to show the sweetnatured side to the world around him.
In fact, Oliver can’t even talk to express much of anything he’s feeling. He uses a verbal app on his always-present smartphone to share whatever short sentences he needs to convey. I had to present a little background because, even in 2020, is autism is not really understood.
As kids today usually are, Oliver is addicted to his smartphone. It is never out of his hands. However, something altogether unexpected flashes across the screen. That’s when the thrill ride begins.
No spoilers but this Ebook is definitely not for children. Like an app with a glitch, this story keeps coming back, over and over. In fact, the book keeps an eye on you from any reflective surface. Always watching for when someone gets lonely.
There are so many positives to this film, it’s hard to find fault. It’s family oriented and yet shows the strains and marital issues that oftentimes do affect marriages under constant struggles. However the real bond and love of the family is shown over the course of the last few scenes.
The only thing that bothered me during the film was how the bullying situation is handled. Someone had to notice, but like so many times before, teachers turn a blind eye and even the parents don’t address the situation. When it finally gets addressed, it is not in a supportive way that one would think. Oliver’s mom lashes out at one point, wishing he could be “normal” for just a second. (She quickly apologizes.)
Yes, we have an influx of horror movies coming almost weekly and most are terrible. It is often said that there are those in the industry who put out movies at a lightening fast pace, yet they lack any quality or substance. Horror pics like Let’s Play, try a bit harder, use a certain splash of real-world subtext to dig down into the quivering parts of our subconscious. They tell a creepy story as an allegory for the very real scary stuff in our world which is why I loved this movie.
The most poignant line from the film comes at a time of high intensity. “overuse of screens makes people lonely, and observing that this self same loneliness is what apparently creates” monsters in society. In a genre mostly known for bloody torture and in your face violence, this film instead chose to focus on a family in terror and extols the goodness of loving parents and lauds the value of enduring family and friends.