"Nerve" was released last Wednesday, and while it may seem like your typical theater thriller, the movie speaks volumes about the nature of the digital society that we live in today.

The film centers around an online game called “Nerve” (hence the title of the movie). The game consists of two ways to play: either become a player or a watcher. The watchers assume the role of voting on dares to give the players, and the players carry out the dares for money. Although a simple and light-hearted concept, the game eventually escalates and results in some serious conflict. Don’t worry, I won’t spoil it for you.

While the movie offers many cinematic gems, such as romance, suspense, and just a hint of teenage angst, "Nerve" is surprisingly relevant to the implications social media and an integration of technology has on contemporary society.

An “Always-On” Society

One of the things that immediately stands out in "Nerve" are the visuals. Phone and computer interfaces are constantly overlaid onto the scenes and interacted with, while the filming technique switches between hand-held cameras and traditional, professional shots. Through this seamless incorporation of technological visuals, "Nerve" successfully emphasizes the omnipresent influence of social media in a society that is “always on" — essentially meaning that people are connected to a virtual network 24/7.

Creator Vs. Consumer

In a world that is abundant with tools for self-broadcasting, the boundaries between creator and consumer are blurred, and almost anyone can rise to stardom through a large online follower base. The relationship between the millions of subscribers on Youtube and the channel owners themselves draws a close parallel to the relationship between the watchers and players on "Nerve." The two groups are dependent on one another for content creation and facilitation, resulting in an almost all-inclusive pop culture in which the watchers not only supply the actions to the players, but also curate a fan-culture that determines the viability of the player’s career. This relationship simulates the content-creator influence on media we have in the 21st century, which is changing the idea of celebrities altogether.

Anonymity

One of the characteristics of a society largely dictated by technology and social media is the dual-sided concept of anonymity. In "Nerve," every watcher that joins is anonymous. This means that any information that could reveal their identity is not displayed while using the game. The combination of anonymity and unanimous voting utilized by the game lends itself to a form of cognitive dissonance and diffusion of responsibility, ultimately resulting in the watchers condoning violent and life-threatening acts. However, the watchers are only given an illusion of anonymity, just as many people who join anonymous networks today experience. Being “anonymously” connected to a network through a device may temporarily mask someone, but their personal information used in the process of signing up (for instance, an IP address or phone number) can always be collected and utilized.

Data Mining

A false sense of online anonymity and data mining go hand-in-hand. Part of the film's captivating visuals was the insertion of each player’s username shown hovering above their location in the city in real time, mirroring the same ease of tracking that our technologically-driven society currently has. In addition, when the main character, Vee (Emma Roberts), is shown signing up as a player in the game, a sequence of all her online purchases, credit card information, pictures and other personal information being transferred to the database of the game was displayed. This small detail reveals a substantial truth about today’s digital economy and how the reliance on data mining is revolutionizing the way businesses make money both offline and online, as well as jeopardizing one’s privacy.

Overall, the movie was enjoyable as s cinematic piece, as well as delightfully analyze-able for any nerds out there. It was refreshing to see a movie that addressed societal trends through a riveting storyline and likable characters.