DASHCAM (2022) ***

Dashcam is the best Shaky Cam Horror Movie ever made.  Even though there are several instances where the camera is way too damn shaky, it does contain one or two effective jump scares, which is more than I can say for all the films in the genre combined.  (The best one involves an airbag.)  Like most Shaky Cam flicks, it is slow to start.  However, what makes this one the pinnacle of the form is that once it gets going, the action never lets up.  (The “Hall of Mirrors” sequence in particular, is a real banger.)

Unlike We’re All Going to the World’s Fair, we are supposed to hate our heroine, Annie Hardy (herself).  In fact, it’s almost comical the way the movie stacks the deck against her.  Not only does she have her own livestream where she raps while driving, she’s also a MAGA lover who refuses to wear her mask during the pandemic.  You just can’t wait to see her get her just desserts.  

And boy, does she ever.  In the last two acts of the movie, she gets coated in blood, vomit, rain, mud, feces, and God knows what else.  Dare I say it’s reminiscent of Ash in The Evil Dead the way the movie puts her through the ringer.  It’s not nearly as good, mind you, but certainly reminiscent.  

The plot:  Influencer Annie goes to England to see an old friend and make stupid internet videos.  When she goes to pick up a food order, the sketchy employee asks her to give an old, infirmed woman a lift.  We soon learn the old lady is not what she seems.  

It's fitting I watched this right after We’re All Going to the World’s Fair and Old People.  Everything those movies managed to do wrong, Dashcam does so much better.  The best thing about it, is its breakneck pace.  If you can make it past the first twenty minutes of Annie being annoying, you will be treated to some truly impressive horrific shit.  Even as someone who detests the Shaky Cam genre, I have to tip my hat to the filmmakers for going all out in the crazy department.  Oh, and if you skip the end where Annie raps everyone’s name over the end credits, the movie’s only like an hour long.  You got to respect a Shaky Cam flick that knows when to pack it in before it overstays its welcome.  More films in the genre should take a cue from Dashcam’s lead.