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Bloat

Play trailer 1:58 Poster for Bloat R Mar 2025 1h 27m Horror Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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29% Tomatometer 14 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
From a producer of Searching and Unfriended, Ben McKenzie ("Gotham") and Bojana Novakovic (Birds of Prey) star in this chilling tale of horror and suspense. After a near-death drowning accident, a young boy's family is horrified to discover he has become possessed by a legendary demon from the depths of the lake. As the family races against time to save the boy's soul, the evil monster inside the child tears the family apart as it seeks to destroy everyone in its path.
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Bloat

Critics Reviews

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Marya E. Gates RogerEbert.com Mar 8
1.5
Imagine a J-horror plot involving a child possessed by a swamp demon told through the aesthetics of the screenlife found footage subgenre, and you can pretty much imagine how writer-director Pablo Absento‘s new film, “Bloat,” will play out. Go to Full Review
Carla Hay Culture Mix Apr 14
Much of the insipid horror movie Bloat consists of people looking at computer screens and being confused. That's because this awful movie (about a father trying to give online help for his demon-possessed 10-year-old son) is a terrible and boring mess. Go to Full Review
Brennan Klein Screen Rant Mar 14
5/10
Bloat finds an intriguing angle on the screenlife horror format, but fails to deliver solid scares and makes choices that undermine its effectiveness. Go to Full Review
Jack Bottomley Starburst Mar 12
3/5
The screenlife limitations do mean that Bloat can’t quite kick into another gear and ultimately the final act kind of fizzles out. Go to Full Review
Josh Goller Spectrum Culture Mar 11
2.25/5
Some compelling buildup fails to lead to an effective climax and Bloat ultimately fizzles. Go to Full Review
Mary Beth McAndrews Dread Central Mar 10
2/5
While Bloat is a refreshing take on the subgenre, especially through its attempts to discuss Japanese lore and yokai, a jumbled plot keeps the new screen life film from achieving greatness. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Jeffrey P 6d Another film that takes place on a computer screen, and the rest of the time from the perspective of a camera. Terribly shot. I felt it moved too quickly and was too intricately detailed for its own good, as it seemed like it was always on to the next thing before the last thing was full processed. The worst part of this style is... holy close-ups, Batman! It’s disappointing because it could have worked if it just slowed down a bit and let the viewer process, I understood the plot and could follow it, but it seemed like everything on the screen was wasted. Stupid ending, and I think the whole thing may have been dumb. See more Kyle M Nov 1 Continuously stretches the designated platform to eventually break its rule without considerable discovery that could’ve deepen the narrative, thus becoming a technical flaw obscuring the essential deliverance that only satisfies minimal chills and a dedicated performance from McKenzie. (B-) See more Stoner J @Stoner Oct 10 Interesting premise for a screen life horror movie, but beyond rookie execution, I couldn’t get over how terrible it was produced and edited See more Stephen G @patient1 Oct 10 There is a bit of an odd film intro, familial grief and uncertainty appears to be our mood. The creepy factor is finally showing up and it's kinda scary right, not knowing where this is heading is maddening and yet fun. Things are finally being seen and shared, you're going to love the evolution of this story. The trauma this family is going through is causing so much physical exhaust and mental fatigue, you can't help but feel for them. The Final chapter of our story must be seen to understand the forces that have befallen this family. See more Damian M Oct 10 The idea of it all is cool...execution meh See more Timothy P @timop1919 Oct 9 Everyone is annoying in this movie and nothing really happens much. See more Read all reviews
Bloat

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Movie Info

Synopsis From a producer of Searching and Unfriended, Ben McKenzie ("Gotham") and Bojana Novakovic (Birds of Prey) star in this chilling tale of horror and suspense. After a near-death drowning accident, a young boy's family is horrified to discover he has become possessed by a legendary demon from the depths of the lake. As the family races against time to save the boy's soul, the evil monster inside the child tears the family apart as it seeks to destroy everyone in its path.
Director
Pablo Absento
Producer
Benjamin McKenzie, Timur Bekmambetov, Mariya Zatulovskaya
Screenwriter
Pablo Absento
Distributor
Lionsgate
Production Co
Bazelevs Entertainment, Pulsar Content
Rating
R
Genre
Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 7, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 7, 2025
Runtime
1h 27m
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