Dagr review – perma-snarking YouTubers cancel the fear in paganistic slasher

Matthew Butler-Hart's film lurches from social-media comedy to shaky-cam bloodletting, but never comes near the primeval emotions of the Blair Witch Project it so often references

At one point in this found-footage paganistic slasher from British director Matthew Butler-Hart, Thea (Ellie Duckles), one of a pair of stereotypically annoying YouTubers, ironically performs the I'm so sorry" monologue from the Blair Witch Project to camera. Dagr also comes prefaced with a Blair Witch-style opening statement that it has been cobbled together from their final footage. But Butler-Hart's film doesn't get anywhere near Blair Witch levels of primeval emotions - partly because of an ambitious and perhaps over-fussy structure, and partly because its digital-age perma-snark tone cancels out fear for much of it.

Thea and her running buddy Louise (Riz Moritz) pride themselves on being online Robin Hoods - filming heists" of swag from the rich with their faces plastered over with giant emoticons, and then selling off the proceeds to give to those in need. But really they're massive narcissists. Their latest target is a commercial shoot in a remote country mansion being run by Tori (Tori Butler-Hart), where they plan to pose as caterers and then make off with high-end clothes and camera equipment. Bantering in the car on the way, they stop at a farm shop for directions; Louise picks up a creepy feathered mask and a local legend about a cult. But they're too busy mugging for their feed to pay much attention.