Three YouTubers struggling to get more views on their adventure channel, travel to the mythical city of Casablanca, unaware that it hides a terrifying secret.
Written, directed and produced by Jérôme Cohen-Olivar, and starring Rebecca Ramon, Cody Heuer, and Einar Kuusk, “The 16th Episode” tells the story of Youtube bloggers regularly posting their adventure series online. As might be expected in our media-intensive universe, the team obsesses about the frequency of hits and if the videos go viral. Set at first in Brazil – presumably their 15th episode – the crew soon heads off to Casablanca, where they film the eponymous title chapter. In the car after the Brazil shoot, Ramon as Helen bemoans the fact that their numbers are down 26 percent on Youtube compared with the South African episode. Somehow, she observes, they need to spice things up.
The entire cast does a nice job furthering the storyline, particularly the three leads. Of note, Rebecca Ramon provides an empathetic turn as the anchor who seems to genuinely embrace the cultures she documents. Until recently, Ramon involved herself only with production-related duties on short films. However, after “The 16th Episode,” audiences may likely see her in other roles as an actor. Heuer and Kuusk also share some amusing exchanges within the context of their love-hate buddy relationship.
The film starts promisingly as a knowing examination of faux reality, a sort of documentary-style of fiction in the tradition of “The Blair Witch Project.” In addition, several scenes exhibit self-awareness of the reality simulated plot device without quite breaking the fourth wall.
Upon arriving in Casablanca, the crew quarters at a surprisingly posh residence owned and managed by Mrs. Frangier (Rosine Young), who gets creepier by the minute. Since the place seems too good to be true, we can infer that it probably is.
We later learn that Helen experienced demonic possession as a child, which explains the amulet around her neck to ward off evil spirits. Writer-director Cohen-Olivar generously sprinkles hints of the denouement throughout as the protagonists slide unwittingly into an elaborate trap. Given the references to the subgenre of found footage, which purportedly remains the only surviving record of a given set of gruesome events, things appear likely to bode ill for all.
It’s not clear what the source material for this film might be other than earlier classic horror films remixed and presented in a contemporary milieu. Nonetheless, one is left with the strong impression that a further elaborated backstory would make the chronicle more engaging. At the end of the day, “The 16th Episode” serves up competent production, direction, and acting – unfortunately, the narrative never quite pulls all the pieces together in an innovative or suitably coherent fashion.
In Theaters, On Demand, and on Digital June 28th
