
Another intriguing sleeper hailing from Canada. The premise for this tense thriller draws on the ubiquitous true-life TV craze, with five young people consenting to live in an isolated farmhouse in the Canadian wilderness while their interaction is broadcast via the internet. The object of the game is for all five members to remain in the setting for the duration of the series despite the lack of comfort and privacy. If even one opts out early, all lose their chance at the big cash prize. Kris Lemche (from Ginger Snaps) is the cynical one who suspects the show's producers of resorting to calculated and deceitful means to oust the cast, while pixie-like Laura Regan is the least brazen of the lot. Events take a sour turn when the tactics lodged by the website's creators become increasingly disturbing and a mysterious marooned skier appears at the group's front door. Needless to say, the promised reward is an elaborate rouse and the moment when the cast members discover the real reason why they've been assembled in the middle of nowhere is absolutely chilling. This is excellently directed and the oppressiveness of the frozen landscape surrounding the farmhouse is used to great effect, especially during the night scenes. The ever-vigilant cameras themselves are merciless in their probing of the group's slow dissolution from eager look-at-me exuberance to sheer claustrophobic dread. Especially troubling are the night vision sequences, which cast characters in an otherworldly green hue and causes their irises to glimmer. Lemche is wonderful as the surly, suspicious bully and Regan gives a shuddery performance full of perfect trapped desperation. One of the most fearful scenes involves no overt threat at all, just Regan relating the tale a childhood prank gone awry and fearing that a wronged acquaintance has emerged from the past seeking revenge. This is no standard-issue slasher film as one might expect. Rather, it's a frightful peer not only into the dangerous lengths the voyeur TV craze will go to for profit, but the narcissistic ease with which people allow themselves to be exploited for the sake of being seen.

