Initiation

A college student's life spirals out of control when she becomes the target of a vicious online hate campaign. As the harassment escalates to deadly physical attacks, she must uncover the identity of her tormentor before she becomes the next victim. The film explores themes of social media, cyberbullying, and the dark side of college life.

Initiation received mixed to negative reviews, with critics often citing its predictable plot and reliance on familiar horror tropes. While some appreciated its attempt to tackle contemporary issues like cyberbullying, many found the execution lacking in originality and suspense. Audience reception was similarly divided, with some finding it a serviceable thriller and others criticizing its perceived gratuitous violence and weak character development.

• The film attempts to address relevant social issues but struggles with a predictable narrative.

• Relies heavily on jump scares and gore, offering little in terms of genuine suspense.

• Character development is often superficial, making it difficult for audiences to connect with the plight of the protagonists.

Google audience: Google users appear to have a somewhat more favorable view of 'Initiation' than critics, with a majority approving of the film. Common points of praise include its tense atmosphere and its exploration of modern-day bullying. However, some viewers still found the story to be somewhat formulaic and the scares not always effective.

The film's director, John Berardo, has stated that he drew inspiration from real-life incidents of cyberbullying and online harassment when developing the script.