#dear david

[jojosbizarresecondlife]

"Dear Giorno" (2023 film)

[utter-disgrace]

if I ever write a horror piece where the haunted character miraculously has all of their questions answered by a single internet article ala deus ex machina, just take me out, it’ll be too late for me by that point

[pennypony2004]

I'm penny

Penny motherfucking pony

yeah bitch

[queerfinalboy]

I don't remember if I talked about it here but I think Dear David is single-handedly the most homophobic horror movie I've ever seen.

And not even like...intentionally, or at least I don't think so. I think it's some kind of like, directors bias possibly. But also feels like gay people written by straight people.

But the theme of the movie is like the ghost targets the main character because he was a dick online, but both the comments we see him respond to are people being homophobic (someone calling him a fairy and someone else saying something like "homo shit" i think) In addition to that we see a flashback scene of the kid that's supposed to be the ghost showing that he was looking at gay porn and also possibly gore? (its hard to understand what they're trying to convey tbh) and then his dad freaks out on him for watching it and they fightand eventually both die but like...

the ghost also specifically pretends to be the main character on Grindr?

and also at one point MC is trying to jack off and watch gay porn and the ghost turns his camera on?

its just crazy because its like okay so the kid was gay and evil? But he doesn't want the MC responding badly to people being homophobic to him, even though he possibly died because of homophobia?

And that's just going into the homophobia, not talking about the bad acting, the bad plot, the changing of the original Dear David story, the stealing of the story by Buzzfeed, and like all the moral stuff with that.

[ghostlytales]

Dear David

This photo was captured by Adam Ellis. He’s a cartoonist from New York and has captivated thousands of Twitter users with his story of Dear David, the spirit that lives at his apartment.

[its-spooky-bitch]

Bruh I’m just browsing buzzfeed and there’s an ad for the Dear David movie and it looks bad lmao

[that-horror-girl]

Short review of Dear David:

It was ok.

We need more gay people writing for horror tbh, there's so much trauma amongst us it could fuel the industry for decades. /half joking

Overall: Cool concept, too much about Adam, not enough focus on David and the emotional impact of being bullied.

4/10

[icarusflightplan]

Typical homo reaction 🙄

[ladyeckland28]

### The Dear David Twitter Thread: A Modern Tale of Haunting

In the digital age, where much of our entertainment comes from screens and social media, Adam Ellis’s "Dear David" Twitter thread in 2017 brought an old genre into a new medium. Ellis, a cartoonist by profession, recounted his haunting experiences with a ghostly child named "Dear David." His narrative, rich with disturbing dreams, eerie photos, and unexplained events, captivated millions and redefined how we consume horror stories.

**A Modern Storyteller’s Medium**

Adam Ellis’s choice of Twitter, a platform known for its brevity and immediacy, was unconventional yet oddly fitting for a ghost story. Each tweet, limited by character count, heightened the suspense and left readers in a state of perpetual anticipation. This fragmented style of storytelling allowed for real-time engagement, making the audience feel as though they were part of the unfolding mystery. As Ellis shared photo evidence of strange occurrences in his apartment and recounted his vivid, unsettling dreams, the threads between reality and fiction blurred.

**The Eerie Allure of Dear David**

The story begins with Ellis dreaming of a young, deformed boy named David who appears at the foot of his bed. In his dreams, David can answer only two questions correctly; any deviation leads to a fatal encounter. These initial details cast a spell on readers, combining the innocence of a child with the terror of the supernatural. As Ellis's dreams become more vivid and his waking life begins to mirror the hauntings, the gripping narrative takes a dark turn. Eerie photographs and videos posted by Ellis show household objects moving on their own, odd shadows, and inexplicable phenomena, compelling readers to question their understanding of the paranormal.

**Crafting Viral Horror**

What sets the "Dear David" thread apart is not just the spine-chilling content, but Ellis’s adept use of social media to craft a viral horror sensation. His updates were strategically timed, creating periods of agonizing suspense between revelations. This method of storytelling transformed the thread into an interactive experience, with followers dissecting every post, analyzing photos, and speculating on upcoming events. The widespread sharing and engagement turned "Dear David" into a communal experience, fostering a shared sense of fear and curiosity.

**The Impact and Legacy**

The "Dear David" thread is more than just a sequence of ghostly events; it is a pioneering effort in the realm of digital storytelling. It underscores the potential of social media platforms to bring traditional genres into new light, offering immersive and interactive experiences. Additionally, the phenomenon reflects modern society’s insatiable appetite for horror, amplified by the internet’s ability to connect and engage audiences worldwide.

In essence, the "Dear David" Twitter thread is a testament to how storytelling has evolved in the digital age. By blending age-old ghost story elements with the immediacy and reach of social media, Adam Ellis created an unforgettable narrative that continues to haunt the imaginations of many. As we move further into the digital future, the legacy of "Dear David" will likely inspire new modes of storytelling that capitalize on the unique features of contemporary platforms.

[shortstorytournament]

Short Story Tournament

DEAR DAVID by Yael van der Wouden (2018) (link) - tw: death mention

What was your aunt’s name, dear? When have you last said her name out loud? Has it been a while? Come, we shall do it together. You shall say hers, and I will say mine. Like so: David! David! David! Yours always, – David

THE YELLOW WALLPAPER by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1887) (link) - tw: depression, insanity

John is so pleased to see me improve! He laughed a little the other day, and said I seem to be flourishing in spite of my wall-paper. I turned it off with a laugh. I had no intentions of telling him it was because of the wall-paper — he would make fun of me. He might even want to take me away.

[anchovy]

The new dear David trailer

[thepastisapebbleinmyshoe]

Dr. Foster - 2015

[movieposters1]

[frecklesandpoverty]

31 Nights of Halloween Horror: day 18

My choice for today was: Dear David

Ok I remember reading the original tweets, and they were so creepy, that's why I'm so disappointed with this movie. I rated this 4/10. It started off fine, had potential, but in the end it just ended up a mess. David wasn't even scary, and the effects they used were laughable. He comes for whoever's rude on the internet, so I guess he'll be coming for me now since I thought his movie sucked lmao. Really really a let down, because I had been so excited for this movie for a while. I have to say I did like the lead actor playing Adam Ellis. He was likeable. Other than that, meh. Meh meh meh.

[coffeewitheya]

When your coping mechanism is watching horror movies.

[fearsmagazine]

DEAR DAVID - Review

DISTRIBUTOR: Lionsgate

SYNOPSIS: “Shortly after comic artist Adam responds to Internet trolls, he begins experiencing sleep paralysis — while an empty rocking chair moves in the corner of his apartment. As he chronicles increasingly malevolent occurrences in a series of tweets, Adam begins to believe he is being haunted by the ghost of a dead child named David. Encouraged by his boss to continue the “Dear David” thread, Adam starts to lose his grip on what is online…and what is real. Based on the viral Twitter thread by BuzzFeed comic artist Adam Ellis.” -Press Release

REVIEW: Filmmaker John McPhail takes the helm on DEAR DAVID, a genre film inspired by the events behind the 2017 “Dear David” Twitter thread. Created by cartoonist Adam Ellis, who was working for BuzzFeed at the time, the film presents a complex character who, in dealing with this supernatural force, must deal with his own personal demons.

Remotely familiar with the “Dear David” Twitter story, the film sets up the premise of David being a child who is bullied online. Something transpires. As Adam digs into the story, David is presented with a murky disposition and may not be innocent. Adam is initially drawn in when David responds to one of his tweets and what ensues feels a bit like “The Ring.” What is interesting is Adam’s character arc. As he becomes consumed by this nightmare, certain traits surface that have his friends and love drawing away from him. One could easily believe his supernatural predicament might be an extension of his stressed-filled job, but the story builds the foundation of David’s story and it clearly becomes a menacing force in Adam’s life. The film opens on David’s story, but DEAR DAVID is the story of Adam Ellis and his struggles with real life and supernatural forces as he fights to take control of his life.

Actor Augustus Prew is a veteran actor who carries the weight of the narrative. He creates a charming character who begins to take on darker tones as the supernatural entity complicates his life. He manages to maintain a level of sympathy and never presents an unlikable character. His performance provides access to a wide audience and easily takes them along for the ride. Actor Cameron Nicoll plays David. It’s an effective performance, but I don’t feel he gets enough screen time to present a rounded character. We become aware that the character has a darkside, but it is not fully formed, or presented as pure evil as Samara in “The Ring.” Still, it is creepy enough to add a sense of dread to the character.

There is an element to the production values that left me feeling that the film was a made for tv project. That is not a bad thing when you consider the state of the art of made for tv movies. There is something fresh and stark to the look of the film. There is nice interplay between light, shadows and colors, and there is this grounded look to the city and locations. The film captures many exteriors that clearly make this a New York Story and I believed it. McPhail creates a tone and atmosphere to the film similar to that of “Anna & the Apocalypse.” There are horror elements and keeps the film grounded. There are these extraordinary, supernatural elements, but they exist parallel to “reality.” Adam has entered David’s nightmare but he still moves through daily life. The special and visual effects are subtle touches, and this is not a gory film, relying on more traditional scares. Composers Tommy Reilly & Roddy Hart’s score nicely accentuates those moments adding another level to the atmosphere and playing on the viewer’s expectations.

DEAR DAVID is an interesting and engaging take on the story behind the events of 2017. What easily could have been a typical genre film looking to inspire a franchise, John McPhail delivers a character driven tale that presents a story arc that is influenced by the supernatural elements. It is not as in depth character study as any of the films based on Shirley Jackson’s “The Haunting,” but McPhail’s film has more in common with that type of cinematic thriller. It’s great to see him still working in the genre and I look forward to some of his other potential forthcoming films.

CAST: Augustus Prew, Andrea Bang, René Escobar Jr., Cameron Nicoll, and Justin Long. CREW: Director - John McPhail; Screenplay - Mike Van Waes; Producers - Richard Alan Reid, Michael Philip, Jason Moring, Naysun Alae-Carew, & Charlotte Walsh; Cinematographer - Stephen Chandler Whitehead; Score - Tommy Reilly & Roddy Hart; Editor - Glenn Garland; Production Designer - Joshua Turpin; Costume Designer - Olga Barksy; Key Makeup Artist - Daniel Lee; Prosthetics - Daniel Baker; Special Effects Coordinator - Derek Liscoumb; Visual Effects - LUSA VFX OFFICIAL: www.lionsgate.com/movies/dear-david FACEBOOK: N.A. TWITTER: N.A. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/dpb3ah3Cgg0?si=yd0TyZUhoFyXpERb RELEASE DATE: In Select Theaters, On Demand and Digital on October 13th, 2023

**Until we can all head back into the theaters our “COVID Reel Value” will be similar to how you rate a film on digital platforms - 👍 (Like), 👌 (It’s just okay), or 👎 (Dislike)

Reviewed by Joseph B Mauceri