Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Unfriended: Dark Web (2018) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Unfriended: Dark Web (2018) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2018 · 92 min · English
Echo score 70
JustWatch #10,134 12
Directed by
Stephen Susco
Starring
Chelsea Alden, Rebecca Rittenhouse, Alexa Mansour, Andrew Lees, Ashton Smiley, Betty Gabriel
Budget
$1M

During an online video game session, a group of friends stumbles upon a hidden folder containing disturbing footage. As they watch, an anonymous user begins to taunt them, revealing a terrifying connection between the videos and their own lives. The seemingly innocent game night quickly turns into a desperate fight for survival as they are forced to confront a sinister online presence and uncover the horrifying truth behind the dark web.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Unfriended: Dark Web
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Unfriended: Dark Web (2018)

Where can you watch Unfriended: Dark Web? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

5 main characters · contains spoilers

Unfriended: Dark Web Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Unfriended: Dark Web (2018), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Matias O'Brien

    played by Colin Woodell

    Matias is a tech-savvy individual who finds himself entangled in a terrifying situation after using a stolen laptop. His journey delves into themes of trust, guilt, and survival as he battles both external threats and his moral compass. Driven by love for his girlfriend Amaya, he navigates a web of deceit while desperately trying to protect his friends.

    • 👨‍💻 Protagonist
    • 💔 Struggler
    • 🛡️ Protector
  • Amaya DeSoto

    played by Stephanie Nogueras

    Amaya is Matias's hearing-impaired girlfriend, who yearns for better communication in their relationship. Her presence brings emotional depth to the story, highlighting the struggles of love versus technology. She is not only a significant motivation behind Matias's actions but also a victim of the chaos that unfolds due to the stolen laptop.

    • 💞 Girlfriend
    • 🗣️ Communication
    • 🌪️ Victim
  • Damon Horton

    played by Andrew Lees

    Damon is one of Matias's friends who initially provides comic relief but soon becomes part of the dire situation. His suggestions lead Matias down a path of chaos, making him an unwitting accomplice in the disturbing events that unfold. His character serves to highlight the group dynamic and the support systems among friends in crisis.

    • 🎮 Friend
    • 🤔 Instigator
    • 😟 Participant
  • Kelly

    played by Chelsea Alden

    Kelly is Amaya's roommate and becomes a key target for manipulation as Charon leverages her safety against Matias. Her character adds urgency to Matias's mission, illustrating the collateral damage of the unfolding events. Despite being somewhat of a secondary character, Kelly's fate adds significant stakes to Matias’s decisions.

    • 👩‍👧 Roommate
    • ⚠️ Target
    • 🛡️ Sacrifice
  • Charon 4

    Charon 4 represents the dark side of technology, embodying the online villain archetype. His manipulation of events and people reveals a chilling aspect of human nature as he plays god over the lives of Matias and his friends. Charon’s menace escalates as the story unfolds, making him a pivotal antagonist.

    • 👤 Antagonist
    • 🎭 Manipulator
    • 🖥️ Villain

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:14

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does Unfriended: Dark Web Take Place?

The setting of Unfriended: Dark Web (2018): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The film takes place in contemporary times, reflecting the current issues surrounding technology and social media. The use of modern communication tools and cyber threats highlights an ongoing relevance in today’s digital landscape.

Location

Cybercafé, Matias' home

The movie unfolds primarily in a cybercafé, a modern venue where users can access the internet and computer services. It also features Matias' home, a place of personal significance where he interacts with his friends and girlfriend. These locations serve as crucial settings for the unfolding tension and drama.

  • 🏢 Location
  • 💻 Technology

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:14

Was this helpful?

3 major themes

Unfriended: Dark Web Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Unfriended: Dark Web (2018) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Betrayal

    Betrayal is a central theme in this film, manifesting in both friendships and romantic relationships. As Matias attempts to navigate the complex web of deceit, the fragility of trust amongst friends becomes apparent. The manipulative tactics of Charon highlight how easily bonds can be broken in the face of fear and survival.

  • Surveillance

    Surveillance plays a significant role in the narrative, showcasing the impact of technology on personal privacy. The shady activities of Charon demonstrate how individuals can be monitored and exploited online, raising salient questions regarding consent and safety in the digital age.

  • Identity

    The struggle for identity is explored deeply through Matias as he grapples with his actions and their consequences. His experiences force him to confront the ramifications of theft and deception, ultimately leading to a crisis of self as he is manipulated by others’ personas.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:14

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

Unfriended: Dark Web Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Unfriended: Dark Web (2018): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does the movie take place?

The movie unfolds primarily in two locations: a cybercafé and Matias' home. The cybercafé serves as a modern venue where users can access computers and internet services, while Matias' home is the personal space where he interacts with his friends and girlfriend. These settings are central to the tension and drama that unfolds.

  • cybercafé
  • matias home
  • settings
  • locations
Q2

What time period is the movie set in?

The film takes place in contemporary times, reflecting current issues surrounding technology and social media. The use of modern communication tools and cyber threats highlights the ongoing relevance of the story in today's digital landscape.

  • contemporary
  • modern
  • time period
  • year
Q3

What are the main themes of the movie?

The movie explores three major themes: Betrayal, which examines how trust fractures among friends under pressure; Surveillance, highlighting how technology enables monitoring and exploitation online; and Identity, as protagonist Matias grapples with the consequences of his theft and deception, leading to a crisis of self.

  • themes
  • betrayal
  • surveillance
  • identity
Q4

What role does betrayal play in the story?

Betrayal is a central theme manifesting in both friendships and romantic relationships. As Matias navigates the web of deceit, the fragility of trust becomes apparent. The manipulative tactics of the antagonist Charon demonstrate how easily bonds can be broken when characters face fear and the desperate need for survival.

  • betrayal
  • trust
  • friends
  • relationships
Q5

How is surveillance portrayed in the movie?

Surveillance plays a significant role by showcasing technology's impact on personal privacy. The shady activities of Charon demonstrate how individuals can be monitored and exploited online, raising critical questions about consent and safety in the digital age.

  • surveillance
  • privacy
  • technology
  • monitoring
Q6

Who is Matias O'Brien?

Matias is a tech-savvy protagonist who becomes entangled in a terrifying situation after using a stolen laptop. His journey explores themes of trust, guilt, and survival as he battles external threats while trying to protect his friends. His love for his girlfriend Amaya drives much of his motivation.

  • matias
  • protagonist
  • main character
  • stolen laptop
Q7

Who is Amaya DeSoto?

Amaya is Matias' hearing-impaired girlfriend, who yearns for better communication in their relationship. She brings emotional depth to the story, highlighting the struggles of love versus technology. She serves as a significant motivation behind Matias' actions and becomes a victim of the chaos resulting from the stolen laptop.

  • amaya
  • girlfriend
  • hearing impaired
  • love interest
Q8

Who is Charon 4?

Charon 4 represents the dark side of technology as the online villain antagonist. He embodies the chilling aspect of human nature by playing god over the lives of Matias and his friends. His manipulation of events and people reveals how cyber threats can escalate into real-world violence.

  • charon
  • villain
  • antagonist
  • online predator
Q9

Who is Kelly in the movie?

Kelly is Amaya's roommate who becomes a key target for manipulation. Charon leverages her safety against Matias, adding significant urgency to his mission. Her character illustrates the collateral damage that unfolds from the group's discovery of the dark web content.

  • kelly
  • roommate
  • secondary character
  • manipulation
Q11

What does the movie say about identity?

Identity is explored through Matias as he confronts the ramifications of theft and deception. His experiences force him to deal with a crisis of self, manipulated by others' personas online. The movie questions how digital personas can differ from true identity and how easily people can be manipulated through false representations.

  • identity
  • persona
  • manipulation
  • self

Movie threads

More Movies Like Unfriended: Dark Web, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Unfriended: Dark Web tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Tech-based horror movies like Unfriended: Dark Web

Technological horror where everyday devices become tools for terror. If you enjoyed the digital dread of Unfriended: Dark Web, explore these tech-based horror movies. They feature similar stories of technological terror, where online threats, haunted media, and malicious software create a uniquely modern and immersive horror experience that feels eerily close to home.

  • anxious
  • paranoid
  • unsettling
  • claustrophobic
  • ominous
  • technological dread
  • Tone: dark, anxious
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically begin with a seemingly normal interaction with technology that spirals into a nightmare. The antagonist is often an unseen, online entity or a corrupted system that uses digital tools to stalk, manipulate, and terrorize the protagonists. The narrative is often confined to a technological interface, creating a claustrophobic and immediate sense of danger.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared premise: technology as the central conduit of horror. They tap into contemporary anxieties about privacy, digital isolation, and the sinister potential lurking within our devices, creating a cohesive and frighteningly relevant viewing experience.

Claustrophobic thrillers with high tension like Unfriended: Dark Web

High-tension stories where characters are trapped and hunted in confined spaces. Fans of the intense, trapped feeling in Unfriended: Dark Web will appreciate these claustrophobic thrillers. These movies share a similar sense of confinement, relentless pacing, and desperate fight for survival, whether the characters are physically trapped in a single location or psychologically cornered by an inescapable situation.

  • claustrophobic
  • desperate
  • anxious
  • tense
  • frightening
  • high stakes
  • Tone: dark, tense, desperate
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves characters being forced into a confined space or situation from which there is no easy exit. The threat escalates steadily, forcing difficult moral choices and testing loyalties under extreme pressure. The story structure is often linear and focused, maintaining a high level of tension from start to finish with little respite.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their masterful use of confinement—be it physical, digital, or psychological—to generate a sustained, high-anxiety atmosphere. They deliver a coherent experience of relentless, stressful escalation that makes the viewer feel just as trapped as the characters.

If you liked this

Movies Like Unfriended: Dark Web

Similar movies to Unfriended: Dark Web: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Unfriended: Dark Web (2018) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Unfriended: Dark Web in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app