★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
What do you get when you mix YA romance and predictable, blasé horror? You Get Me is Netflix’s answer to that very question. Starring Bella Thorne as Holly Viola and Taylor John Smith as teen heartthrob Tyler, this film is a half effort attempt at combining tension with style. Holly becomes obsessed with Tyler after the two spend a summer night together and fall (temporarily) in love. When Tyler tries to cut things off with Holly and reconcile with his girlfriend (Halston Sage), Holly becomes possessive and attempts to ruin Tyler’s life in order to force him to be with her.
The predictable and overdone plot isn’t what kills this film. Even the Youtubers-turning-actors that make up the supporting cast aren’t what dooms You Get Me to the realm of unwatchable. It’s the awkward pacing, the lack of really any plot, and the questionable style that really bring this flick down. It feels like director Brent Bonacorso wants to establish his style — the dramatic colours and observational style of shooting make it clear he has a sense of what he wants. But these creative decisions aren’t tied to any deeper meaning, making his direction feel superficial at best and derivative at worse. The performances from the cast aren’t fantastic but it’s hard to blame them when the script gives little more to the main characters other than they are “crazy”, “perfect”, or “a cool guy”.
If you’re looking for a fun romantic horror, there are much better picks out there than this one. Skip this movie unless you’re a huge fan of Bella Thorne, watered down Riverdale, or being bored.
Check out our (slightly more) in depth podcast review + rating below! Podcast music by Brian K.S. Cole.
Podcast Links + Mentions:
In the Mood For Love (+ our review for it is here)
Jess recommends pairing this film with one of Babe and Bondi’s classic margaritas (seriously… watch Instant Hotel) and Nick recommends pairing it with an exploding Bechdel Test.