Sex work is a profession that has long been maligned by the masses. For years, our society has stigmatized and attacked sex workers based on a lack of understanding and perhaps an absence of empathy. If you value the idea of enriching your perspective, you may want to check out the Netflix original horror film Cam. This 2018 feature offers a sympathetic portrayal of sex work while simultaneously speaking to the perils of the industry and the ways in which models find themselves at elevated risk by virtue of simply reporting to work. Not to mention, the picture also touches on themes of identity, the pitfalls of Internet culture, and objectification.
Isa Mazzei who penned the script for Cam is a former webcam model. By virtue of that past experience, she has a unique perspective on the subject matter and plenty to say. Mazzei previously told Vice that she initially wanted to make a documentary on cam work but found that people couldn’t seem to understand the message as clearly in that format. Accordingly, she settled on a horror film.
Director Daniel Goldhaber brings Mazzei’s story to life with flashy, neon-colored visuals that look inviting at first but ultimately betray something darker lurking beneath the surface.
Goldhaber frames Mazzei’s script from lead character Alice’s (Madeline Brewer) perspective. Accordingly, the proceedings immediately subvert the male gaze and humanize the protagonist, rather than feeding into the problematic dynamics the film often references.
Aside from Brewer in the lead role, the film also stars Patch Darragh, Devin Druid, Melora Walters, Michael Dempsey, and Imani Hakim.
If Cam sounds like your cup of tea, make your way over to Netflix and give the flick a look. Not only is it an entertaining horror thriller, Cam also has plenty to say about online identity, the male gaze, and so much more.
The setup for Cam goes like this: When her account is stolen by a look-alike, a cam girl sets out to unmask the mysterious woman and get her identity back.
That’s just about all that we have for you, for the time being, dear reader. Make sure to stay tuned to Dread Central in the very near future for more enticing updates from the streaming space. In the meantime, if you fancy the idea of keeping up with my comings and goings, hit me up on Threads. I am active on the platform as @FunWithHorror.
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