“Will the found footage fad ever go away?” I asked myself that several times during Mark Netter’s Nightmare Code. Considering that the Paranomal Activity series thankfully ended this year with Ghost Dimension (and considering its box office return), audiences may have finally had their fill with the subgenre. That’s all kind of unfair to Netter’s film. Sure, the film is yet more indie fare that uses the tired trope as the basis for its plot. But perhaps Nightmare Code does something more with the idea?

OptDex’s ROPER is a new surveillance system that aims to determine the emotions of people, and therefore predict their actions. The program’s creator, Foster Cotton (Googy Gress), apparently snapped one day and murdered several of his co-workers before shooting himself in his office. Enter computer programmer Brett Desmond (Andrew J. West). Desperate for cash to pay off his legal bills for being a whistleblower, Brett agrees to join the OptDex team to help complete ROPER. However, as Brett delves into the code for ROPER, he discovers that the ROPER code is capable of more than just behaviour prediction.

Right away, Nightmare Code tackles the problem that so many found footage films stumble over and are unable to recover from. That is, the problem of why the camera or cameras are always in opportune positions, and are constantly recording. The solution being that the entire film is taken from the POV shots of the security cameras at OptDex, with ROPER doing the viewing. As a result, the film is less found footage, and has more of a Big Brother-esque feel to it. But given that these are all programmers confined to their own offices, that presents another problem. As a solution, the film will switch to a four-way splitscreen, where you get multiple characters interacting via their webcams. It’s a strange sense of voyeurism, seen through the eyes of ROPER, that’s both intriguing and creepy.

Despite the obvious obstacles presented in the film, the performances are fairly well done. Despite the problem of often having single characters in the room at one time, Netter solves the issue by having the characters talk to themselves to further exposition. Sure, it’s might seem awkward, but you can’t say that there aren’t people who talk to themselves when they’re alone. Getting into specifics, West is quite good as the film’s flawed protagonist in Brett. Him being slowly consumed by his work makes Caitlyn Folley’s turn as Brett’s increasingly-concerned wife Jennifer that much more convincing. Still with West, the chemistry that he and Mei Melançon’s character Nora Huntsman share is also believable, and again feeds into the idea of a flawed protagonist (you’ll see). Gress handles the egotistical and eccentric Foster Cotton with ease, and makes for a good antagonist.

Nightmare Code unfortunately falters in spots. While the four-way splitscreen does solve the issue of having a character confined to one area at a time, it can often lead to confusion. Having multiple characters interact via this method has multiple characters reacting at the same time. This of course has the viewer darting around the screen to follow said reactions and responses. Those of you who have had a Skype video call where multiple people talk and react know what this is like. Also, once you get into the film, you realize that the premise is not that original. Despite the fancy window dressing that is the surveillance cameras, the film boils down into your typical “rogue computer program running amok” story.

Still, in spite of treading a familiar path, Nightmare Code is a nice break in an overdone subgenre. Netter uses the found footage idea in a way that actually makes sense, and creates an unsettling mood with the constant surveillance of the film’s characters. The performances are all well done, and only add to the creepy feelings. It’s not a perfect film, but it definitely tries to be more than what many indie films using the idea eventually become.

Video/Audio:
Presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen, the video presentation is about what you’d expect from a low-budget indie release. Colours are accurate, although the image overall is a tad dark. There’s a bit of mosquito noise throughout, but nothing too distracting. It’s adequate, and typical of what you’d expect of a film like this.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio is again consistent with the film’s low budget origins. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand, and there is some good use of directionals at points during the film. It lacks the “oomph” of bigger budgeted releases, but that’s to be expected.

Supplements:

First up is an audio commentary with director, producer and co-writer Mark Netter and actors Andrew J. West and Mei Melançon. The trio turn in a very informative track, with Netter handling much of the talking. Personal stories about the production and behind the scenes information are shared, with the entire session being entertaining as well.

Following that are a series of mini EPK-style featurettes that can be played individually or one after another. ‘Characters’ covers the film’s characters as told by the cast and crew, ‘Technology & Fear’ talks about how technology has evolved and the power that it unlocks, ‘The Production’ covers the making of the film, while ‘Indiegogo’ is the video used for the film’s fundraising campaign.

The film’s trailer rounds out the extras.

Overall, a decent DVD presentation with an entertaining commentary being the highlight of the extras.