Dear David is a supernatural horror movie directed by John McPhail. It’s based on a Twitter thread by Adam Ellis. The main actor is Augustus Prew, and there are supporting roles by Andrea Bang, René Escobar Jr., Cameron Nicoll, and Justin Long. The movie is about Ellis fighting against online trolls and getting haunted by a ghostly boy. It was released on October 13, 2023, and got negative reviews from critics.
Quick Plot Summary
In the movie “Dear David,” a man named Adam starts seeing spooky things after he makes fun of a ghost named David online. David gets really angry and starts haunting Adam. Adam tries to get rid of David by asking people online what to do. But things get scarier when David starts hurting Adam and his friends. Adam eventually faces David and manages to defeat him, but not before some scary and intense moments. It’s a thrilling and spooky story about ghosts and being brave!
Ending Explanation
The ending of Dear David signifies several key points. Firstly, Adam’s struggle with the ghostly entity, David, concludes with Adam confronting and defeating him, showcasing a victory over his fears and the supernatural force haunting him. This act of overcoming David also symbolizes Adam’s personal growth, as he learns to be more open and confront his problems directly instead of ignoring them or pushing them away.
The support from Evelyn and Kyle, despite their initial skepticism, highlights the importance of friendship and believing in one another’s experiences, even when they seem unbelievable. Their apologies to Adam and his promise to be more open suggest a renewed sense of trust and communication among them.
Lastly, the possession of Chloe, one of the trolls who harassed Adam, by the same malicious spirit that haunted him, indicates that the negative energy and malice spread through the internet and bullying can manifest in real, harmful ways. It serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of one’s actions online and how they can have real-world impacts.
In essence, the ending wraps up the story with themes of overcoming personal demons (both literal and metaphorical), the power of friendship, and the importance of being responsible and kind in our interactions with others.
Similar Movies
If you’re looking for movies similar to “Dear David,” which blends elements of supernatural horror with a modern, digital-age twist, here are some recommendations that share thematic or stylistic similarities:
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“Unfriended” (2014) – A supernatural horror film that unfolds entirely on a computer screen, involving a group of friends who are haunted by a mysterious force using the account of their dead friend. It explores themes of cyberbullying and the supernatural, much like “Dear David.”
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“The Babadook” (2014) – While not based on a digital-age story, “The Babadook” explores the psychological and supernatural haunting of a mother and her son by a malevolent entity, similar to the haunting in “Dear David.”
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“Sinister” (2012) – This film follows a true-crime writer who discovers a box of home movies that puts his family in supernatural danger. The use of media as a conduit for supernatural horror is a theme it shares with “Dear David.”
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“Ouija: Origin of Evil” (2016) – A prequel to “Ouija,” this film is set in 1967 and tells the story of a widowed mother and her two daughters who add a new stunt to bolster their seance scam business, inviting an evil presence into their home. The notion of inadvertently inviting a malevolent force is akin to the premise of “Dear David.”
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“Hereditary” (2018) – Focused more on the psychological aspects of horror and the supernatural, “Hereditary” explores the grim secrets of a family’s ancestry that haunt them in increasingly terrifying ways, similar to how the past haunts the protagonist in “Dear David.”
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“Countdown” (2019) – In this horror film, an app that predicts when a person is going to die triggers a series of supernatural events for those who download it. The integration of technology and the supernatural mirrors “Dear David’s” modern horror theme.
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“Host” (2020) – A film that takes place entirely on a Zoom call during the COVID-19 pandemic, “Host” follows a group of friends who encounter a supernatural presence while participating in an online séance, blending modern technology with traditional horror elements.
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“Lights Out” (2016) – Based on a terrifying entity that is only visible in the dark, this film delves into the history of a family haunted by a mysterious presence, similar to the haunting central to “Dear David.”
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“The Conjuring” Series – While not directly related to technology or social media, the series’ exploration of paranormal investigations, demonic possessions, and haunted families could appeal to fans of Dear David looking for well-crafted supernatural horror.
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“Followed” (2018) – A found-footage horror film about an aspiring social media influencer who checks into a haunted hotel to gain more followers, only to encounter a malevolent entity. The use of social media as a plot device is a common thread with “Dear David.”
These films, with their mix of supernatural elements, modern settings, and in some cases, the integration of technology, offer a variety of horror experiences similar to “Dear David.”
Reference: Wikipedia