If you like a satirical commentary on today's generation, "Not Okay" may be the film for you. While the entire film is tone-deaf and cringy, it's a work of satire that is interesting to watch (even if you get second-hand embarrassment).
Synopsis
A young woman desperate to be noticed fakes a trip to Paris to boost her social media presence. While on her fake trip, an incident takes place in real Paris and boosts the social media presence she wanted all along. Starring Zoey Deutch as Danni Sanders, Mia Isaac as Rowan Aldren, and Dylan O'Brien as Colin.
What I loved
The on-the-nose representation of activism on social media. This movie does a great job of showing what people do for fame and how people only care about media activism and not real-life change (or consequences). Having our main character reach a high level of fame from a terrorist attack shows how prevalent social media glorifies catastrophes, then moves on.
The characters in this film. While you’re not supposed to like our main character Danni, you understand her feelings of self-doubt and destruction. While it does not excuse her actions, she realizes that it wasn't worth it, and gets to see the rise and fall of her character. Our other character Rowan is likable and you can feel what she's going through and how she is trying to change things. Both characters are interesting in their ways and it shows people who want fame and get it and people who use fame for good.
What I didn't love
It was so cringy. I know that it’s the premise of the movie for our main character to be like that, but sometimes I had to pause because it was too much. It makes you crawl out of your skin to see these tone-deaf characters, but it’s a commentary on real life that hits hard.
How the movie was arranged. It honestly felt chunky with how the music and scene transitions were set up. I feel like I understand what they were going for by dividing the movie up, but with the genre of this film, it doesn't fit right.
Verdict
If you can get past the unbearable cringe of the movie, it truly gives a good showing of the era of social media we live in today. While some parts of the film are funny, it ultimately hits hard on a serious tone.
I give "Not Okay" a 5 out of 10.
