I am disturbed by the review that I read by "An Impartial Reviewer" and how they commented that the movie and director only portrayed the dark side of Isis. What?!? Hold on a gosh-darn tick! "Only the dark side"?!!! There is NO LIGHT SIDE TO ISIS!!! They are TERRORISTS, for "Effs" sake! TERRORISTS! They murder innocent people. They cut of their heads, they stone them and the blow them up. They sure do love killing women and children and selling women as sex slaves. There is nothing light or good about them. NOTHING!
84 Reviews
juggling for life
ferguson-612 May 2021
Greetings again from the darkness. French journalist Anna Erelle documented her month-long correspondence with an ISIS terrorist in her 2015 book, "In the Skin of a Jihadist." Her experience resulted in a fatwa being issued for her ... basically an Islamic death sentence on her head. Based on (more like influenced by) Ms. Erelle's story, writer-director Timur Bekmambetov (ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER, 2012) and co-writers Brittany Poulton, Olga Kharina bring us a movie version via computer screen storytelling.
Valene Kane ("The Fall") stars as Amy Whittaker, a British freelance journalist with a bright idea for an important story. With so many western girls being recruited by ISIS and sold as sex slaves, Amy decides to track down a recruiter and gain intel on how the process works. She does this by creating new Facebook and Skype accounts under the fictitious name of Melody Nelson, an "almost" 20 year old new convert to Islam who just doesn't fit in to her current world. With the beep of a new post, Melody is contacted by Bilel, a terrorist and ISIS recruiter, whose profile expertly blends cat videos with bombings and beheadings.
Bilel (Shazad Latif, "Star Trek: Discovery") is handsome and charming. He talks the talk and walks the walk as both a terrorist and man who can seduce vulnerable young women via FaceTime. There is a lot happening on Amy's/Melody's screen at any given time. The pop ups come fast and frequently from her hard-nosed news editor Vick (Christine Adams, "Black Lightning"), curious best friend Kathy (Emma Cater), confused boyfriend Matt (Morgan Watkins), and IT specialist Lou (Amir Rahimzadeh), himself the son of a Muslim. As if all that isn't enough, YouTube videos come and go, and Melody is constantly googling the latest topic of conversation so she doesn't give away her ruse.
Artistic license is taken with her in-the-moment research and blunders. Although Ms. Kane is strong in the role, Amy never comes across as a professional journalist on a job. She does, however, expertly play to the stresses - rent due, concerned boyfriend, social commitments, dual personas, work deadlines, and the social media chaos that comes with flirting with terrorists or "making friends with jihadists". It's just impossible to imagine a job like this wouldn't find all parties better prepared and protected.
Still, the reality of young women being seduced and recruited by terrorists is quite real, and this should generate fear in every parent. I kept thinking "that wouldn't happen", all the while my stomach churned with the tension. It's the reality of the threat that creates the fear, but director Bekmambetov effectively uses the online interactions to create a current and urgent scenario.
In theaters on May 14, 2021.
Valene Kane ("The Fall") stars as Amy Whittaker, a British freelance journalist with a bright idea for an important story. With so many western girls being recruited by ISIS and sold as sex slaves, Amy decides to track down a recruiter and gain intel on how the process works. She does this by creating new Facebook and Skype accounts under the fictitious name of Melody Nelson, an "almost" 20 year old new convert to Islam who just doesn't fit in to her current world. With the beep of a new post, Melody is contacted by Bilel, a terrorist and ISIS recruiter, whose profile expertly blends cat videos with bombings and beheadings.
Bilel (Shazad Latif, "Star Trek: Discovery") is handsome and charming. He talks the talk and walks the walk as both a terrorist and man who can seduce vulnerable young women via FaceTime. There is a lot happening on Amy's/Melody's screen at any given time. The pop ups come fast and frequently from her hard-nosed news editor Vick (Christine Adams, "Black Lightning"), curious best friend Kathy (Emma Cater), confused boyfriend Matt (Morgan Watkins), and IT specialist Lou (Amir Rahimzadeh), himself the son of a Muslim. As if all that isn't enough, YouTube videos come and go, and Melody is constantly googling the latest topic of conversation so she doesn't give away her ruse.
Artistic license is taken with her in-the-moment research and blunders. Although Ms. Kane is strong in the role, Amy never comes across as a professional journalist on a job. She does, however, expertly play to the stresses - rent due, concerned boyfriend, social commitments, dual personas, work deadlines, and the social media chaos that comes with flirting with terrorists or "making friends with jihadists". It's just impossible to imagine a job like this wouldn't find all parties better prepared and protected.
Still, the reality of young women being seduced and recruited by terrorists is quite real, and this should generate fear in every parent. I kept thinking "that wouldn't happen", all the while my stomach churned with the tension. It's the reality of the threat that creates the fear, but director Bekmambetov effectively uses the online interactions to create a current and urgent scenario.
In theaters on May 14, 2021.
Brought to you by Skype
tfminfl18 May 2021
516. Profile. The whole movie takes place looking at a laptop screen, I thought I was going to be bored out of my mind, but I was wrong, it was well done. Again though, the trailer is most of the movie. But that is just the way things are these days, no surprises in cinema released movies. The story is about a journalist, Amy, posing as another younger girl, Miranda, and how she comes in contact with, Bilel who's part of a terrorist organization, and how that organization recruits young women from foreign countries, promising them love, then sell them into slavery. What a world!! It shows Amy's relationship with Bilel and how his words may be working on her, shows her work life and social life spiraling out of control! So basically, it's a public service announcement brought to you by Skype, Facebook, and Microsoft on watching who you talk to over the internet! Builds up to a pretty scary ending, that's apparently based on a true story, swell. Filmbufftim on FB.
A timely and engaging thriller, that maybe reaches a bit further than its grasp.
IonicBreezeMachine22 August 2021
Amy Whittaker (Valene Kane) creates the Facebook profile of alias Melody Nelson intending to attract attention of ISIS recruiters as part of a Gonzo journalism story chronicling the recruitment processes of European women ho then join up with ISIS. It isn't long before Melody's profile attracts the attention of Bilel (Shazad Latif) a handsome and charismatic man who establishes a rapport with the Melody persona eventually becoming seemingly romantic in nature with the lines between Melody and Amy seemingly blurred.
Adapted from the non-fiction book, In the Skin of a Jihadist by French journalist Anna Ereklle, Timur Bekmambetov directs and co-writes this film inspired by the actual story using the "screenlife" filmmaking style he helped popularize with the unfriended movies, and legitimized with his production of the John Cho thriller Searching which gave the format critical legitimacy that had been lacking from the more horror based narratives around the format. Profile has been completed for about three years with festival viewings occurring as early as 2018 and only recently received a release in 2021 where it was quietly released due to the ongoing pandemic. I'm not quite sure exactly why Profile has been sitting on a shelf so long as aside from the screenlife format it's a very familiar undercover/"in too deep" type narrative that will be familiar to those who've seen this type of story, but it is mostly well done.
Much like how Searching took traditional thriller tropes and applied them to the social media age, Profile does the same with undercover story tropes and plays with the ideas of how ubiquitous and easily accessible the internet and social media has made far reaching places around the world. When we see Amy setting up her account to give the impression of a displaced young woman who's flirting with radicalization it's a good sequence as it shows us how easily we can create an image that distorts the truth of who you're interacting with and creating a façade that is indistinguishable from a real life person. When we see Bilel it's a really strong introduction because he's not overly dominating or angry and has a laid back charisma that makes it believable as to why he'd be able to draw people in. Shazad Latif is really good in the role adding just enough humor to make him relatable, but also enough tension beneath the surface to make him a threat. Amy Whittaker I was slightly more mixed on. While I think Valene Kane does well in a role that is not an easy one, I think the role feels very shaky as the movie often shows her making really obvious mistakes and flubs, but also gives us the sense she's got a tenuous grasp on the situation and makes her seem overly fragile and suggestible. Admittedly I have not read the book so I'm not sure how much of the latter half of this story is drawn from the actual story, but as it's presented it makes it hard for me to believe Amy would fall for a man while still having research notes on another woman who was stoned to death for trying to leave ISIS.
Profile raises some interesting questions about the internet and social media's usage in international terrorism and radicalization, but it does so around a story that gives the audience a bit more than they're capable of swallowing with a "romance" angle that feels hard to buy especially with how mentally unstable our main character seemingly is. The novelty of the format is well utilized and the cast do a good job for the most part so I do recommend it, but it doesn't reach quite as high as it could have.
Adapted from the non-fiction book, In the Skin of a Jihadist by French journalist Anna Ereklle, Timur Bekmambetov directs and co-writes this film inspired by the actual story using the "screenlife" filmmaking style he helped popularize with the unfriended movies, and legitimized with his production of the John Cho thriller Searching which gave the format critical legitimacy that had been lacking from the more horror based narratives around the format. Profile has been completed for about three years with festival viewings occurring as early as 2018 and only recently received a release in 2021 where it was quietly released due to the ongoing pandemic. I'm not quite sure exactly why Profile has been sitting on a shelf so long as aside from the screenlife format it's a very familiar undercover/"in too deep" type narrative that will be familiar to those who've seen this type of story, but it is mostly well done.
Much like how Searching took traditional thriller tropes and applied them to the social media age, Profile does the same with undercover story tropes and plays with the ideas of how ubiquitous and easily accessible the internet and social media has made far reaching places around the world. When we see Amy setting up her account to give the impression of a displaced young woman who's flirting with radicalization it's a good sequence as it shows us how easily we can create an image that distorts the truth of who you're interacting with and creating a façade that is indistinguishable from a real life person. When we see Bilel it's a really strong introduction because he's not overly dominating or angry and has a laid back charisma that makes it believable as to why he'd be able to draw people in. Shazad Latif is really good in the role adding just enough humor to make him relatable, but also enough tension beneath the surface to make him a threat. Amy Whittaker I was slightly more mixed on. While I think Valene Kane does well in a role that is not an easy one, I think the role feels very shaky as the movie often shows her making really obvious mistakes and flubs, but also gives us the sense she's got a tenuous grasp on the situation and makes her seem overly fragile and suggestible. Admittedly I have not read the book so I'm not sure how much of the latter half of this story is drawn from the actual story, but as it's presented it makes it hard for me to believe Amy would fall for a man while still having research notes on another woman who was stoned to death for trying to leave ISIS.
Profile raises some interesting questions about the internet and social media's usage in international terrorism and radicalization, but it does so around a story that gives the audience a bit more than they're capable of swallowing with a "romance" angle that feels hard to buy especially with how mentally unstable our main character seemingly is. The novelty of the format is well utilized and the cast do a good job for the most part so I do recommend it, but it doesn't reach quite as high as it could have.
A thriller about online seduction for ISIS. A cautionary tale for all of us users.
JohnDeSando22 May 2021
Online seductions are many and varied and not new to those of us who engage with the Internet regularly. Profile takes the online search further than Searching or Her did by showing an undercover journalist, Amy (Valene Kane), being recruited by ISIS as easily as you might order a pair of socks from Amazon. Based on a true story, Profile has cultural and global inferences as many as the seduction techniques.
Brit reporter Amy interacts with recruiter Bilel (Shizad Latif), who thinks she is a naïve young aspirant for ISIS. Such is the power of the Internet to bring world computer travelers together in real time showing real emotions. In a sub-genre of the Stockholm Syndrome, Amy falls for Bilel and eventually agrees to marry him.
Profile doesn't give much information on Amy's background to justify why she falls for the dangerously charismatic, except for her clueless boyfriend, Matt (Morgan Watkins), who is one of the reasons such an attractive woman would go to the other side. Yet, the film is not really about being a recruit for global cult ISIS; it is about how the medium of the Internet, with the dexterity it gives to cons like Bilel, makes crooks out of the smartist of us.
Or should I say in Bilel's case, to a charming grifter are given the tools to conquer the world. On an esthetic note, Valene and Shizad are gifted performers who could sell just about anything. Likewise, director Timur Bekmambetov and writers Britt Poulton and Olga Kharina have crafted a thriller that shows the awful potential of the Net, even more than the notorious ISIS.
Persuasion has a new level of sophistication: Witness two smart operatives persuading each other. Profile will add to your understanding of human emotion and the power of the computer.
Brit reporter Amy interacts with recruiter Bilel (Shizad Latif), who thinks she is a naïve young aspirant for ISIS. Such is the power of the Internet to bring world computer travelers together in real time showing real emotions. In a sub-genre of the Stockholm Syndrome, Amy falls for Bilel and eventually agrees to marry him.
Profile doesn't give much information on Amy's background to justify why she falls for the dangerously charismatic, except for her clueless boyfriend, Matt (Morgan Watkins), who is one of the reasons such an attractive woman would go to the other side. Yet, the film is not really about being a recruit for global cult ISIS; it is about how the medium of the Internet, with the dexterity it gives to cons like Bilel, makes crooks out of the smartist of us.
Or should I say in Bilel's case, to a charming grifter are given the tools to conquer the world. On an esthetic note, Valene and Shizad are gifted performers who could sell just about anything. Likewise, director Timur Bekmambetov and writers Britt Poulton and Olga Kharina have crafted a thriller that shows the awful potential of the Net, even more than the notorious ISIS.
Persuasion has a new level of sophistication: Witness two smart operatives persuading each other. Profile will add to your understanding of human emotion and the power of the computer.
Not bad at all.......
redwards-8124723 May 2021
I was a little surprised at the movie. Overall its well done and the script flows fairly well. My advice to all is to stay off social media after watching this movie. And don't go Syria. Arab men treat their women like trash. Watch the movie and see.
Captivating and disturbing
bbgon17 February 2018
I just returned from the film screening at the Berlinale. The audience gave this film a big ovation! 'Profile' tells a story of a British journalist, Amy (Valene Kane) who investigates ISIS recruting young girls and accidentally almost falls in love with one of the terrorists (Shazad Latif). The story is filmed through screen-capture, meaning that we only see Amy's computer screen, all her conversations, messages, Skype calls with Bilel (the ISIS terrorist) etc. It's mind-blowing how much you can tell from and with our online conversations and how easily recognisable everything is, the functions, the software she uses, the messengers. I wonder what we'd make of this film 20 years on. :)
Due to this unusual style, the film feels very intimate: we often see Amy or Bilel close-up, skyping, and can experience all their emotions almost first-hand. Valene Kane's performance takes center stage and is especially good, with deep emotions hiding behind her pretence persona of a converted young Muslim.
The film keeps you in suspence from the beginning till the end. There are often moment when you fear Amy would blow her cover or end up in great trouble. The storyline is well-built, every little details plays a role: as an example, just follow the titles of Amy's video files (recordings of her conversations with Bilel).
The story itself is very disturbing and scary, especially when you see that even a rational grown-up woman almost falls for the recruiter's tactics. A young girl has very little chance to escape.
Great job from everyone involved! I recommend everyone to watch this film.
Good Thriller
sweidman-2801623 May 2021
"You wouldn't lie to me, would you?"
Profile follows a British journalist going undercover and infiltrating the digital propaganda channels of the so-called Islamic State, which has been mobilizing ever greater numbers of women from Europe. Her daily Internet contacts with an ISIS recruiter gradually pull her in and push the limits of her investigation. The makers of this have been hyping it up ever since the announcement of its release. Technically, it is a wide release, but I don't think I've seen it playing anywhere. Fortunately, I received a screener and watched it on a whim. The movie has a lot going for it. The story is quite interesting. It's inspired by a true story which makes it all the more crazy and intense. This is a really intense movie especially with how fast it goes by. There were times where I found myself on the edge of my seat waiting to see what move was to be played next. Valene Kane as Amy is really good. This is the first I've seen her in a lead role, but she carries the whole thing. She has to have two different personas-one personal and one for her interviews- but slowly they mold into one. Amy is a developed character. I wish the others were a bit more. Shasad Latif's character does have a good amount of development, and it works it the favor of the message and script. But with the twists and turns, it's dulled down to the obvious.
All of this is good, except one major thing. With the success of Unfriended and Searching, Profile utilizes the computer screen format. In some cases this does work in creating the anxiety. Honestly, though, all it does is limit the potential. Like I said, there's so much working for it, but that just doesn't always work. So many side plots are either not talked about enough to understand, or just dropped entirely. For example, there's a relationship and we hardly know a thing. The thought was there, but the execution kind of drew away from all the good. The conclusion didn't really feel like much of one. It had a chance to end on a different note to add more tension, but it ended just 10 minutes later. For almost every good thing, there's a disappointing aspect just around the corner. I will say I did enjoy Profile. It's not one I feel like revisiting, but with the direction by Timur Bekmambetov it's promising to those who are interested. And who knows, maybe someone will appreciate the computer screen aspect.
Profile follows a British journalist going undercover and infiltrating the digital propaganda channels of the so-called Islamic State, which has been mobilizing ever greater numbers of women from Europe. Her daily Internet contacts with an ISIS recruiter gradually pull her in and push the limits of her investigation. The makers of this have been hyping it up ever since the announcement of its release. Technically, it is a wide release, but I don't think I've seen it playing anywhere. Fortunately, I received a screener and watched it on a whim. The movie has a lot going for it. The story is quite interesting. It's inspired by a true story which makes it all the more crazy and intense. This is a really intense movie especially with how fast it goes by. There were times where I found myself on the edge of my seat waiting to see what move was to be played next. Valene Kane as Amy is really good. This is the first I've seen her in a lead role, but she carries the whole thing. She has to have two different personas-one personal and one for her interviews- but slowly they mold into one. Amy is a developed character. I wish the others were a bit more. Shasad Latif's character does have a good amount of development, and it works it the favor of the message and script. But with the twists and turns, it's dulled down to the obvious.
All of this is good, except one major thing. With the success of Unfriended and Searching, Profile utilizes the computer screen format. In some cases this does work in creating the anxiety. Honestly, though, all it does is limit the potential. Like I said, there's so much working for it, but that just doesn't always work. So many side plots are either not talked about enough to understand, or just dropped entirely. For example, there's a relationship and we hardly know a thing. The thought was there, but the execution kind of drew away from all the good. The conclusion didn't really feel like much of one. It had a chance to end on a different note to add more tension, but it ended just 10 minutes later. For almost every good thing, there's a disappointing aspect just around the corner. I will say I did enjoy Profile. It's not one I feel like revisiting, but with the direction by Timur Bekmambetov it's promising to those who are interested. And who knows, maybe someone will appreciate the computer screen aspect.
The Desktop Film concept succeeds again
jtindahouse8 June 2021
It astonishes me that a movie set entirely on a computer screen can be in any way entertaining, and yet all the movies I've ever seen using that concept ('Unfriended 1 and 2', 'Host', 'Searching' and now 'Profile') are terrific. The concept requires a really well crafted script that moves at a lightning pace. 'Profile' does this extremely well too because it never feels like it's rushing either. I had a really good time with this movie.
The thing about this story is that it feels very real. Obviously it is based on a true story which helps, but the subject matter is very raw. Ghosts and demons attacking people can be scary, but it's always in your mind that they aren't actually real. Terrorists on the other hand are extremely real and are always in the deep recesses of our minds. This creates a very uneasy feeling that the film gives to its audience.
I was going to be very interested in how dark the ending of the film got. Found Footage films are notorious for having particularity brutal and ominous endings (one of the main reasons I lover them so much). I liked the ending 'Profile' went with, but I think I would've liked them to take an extra step further to really keep the film memorable. That's one of the only flaws I found though in an otherwise extremely good film. I highly recommend this one.
The thing about this story is that it feels very real. Obviously it is based on a true story which helps, but the subject matter is very raw. Ghosts and demons attacking people can be scary, but it's always in your mind that they aren't actually real. Terrorists on the other hand are extremely real and are always in the deep recesses of our minds. This creates a very uneasy feeling that the film gives to its audience.
I was going to be very interested in how dark the ending of the film got. Found Footage films are notorious for having particularity brutal and ominous endings (one of the main reasons I lover them so much). I liked the ending 'Profile' went with, but I think I would've liked them to take an extra step further to really keep the film memorable. That's one of the only flaws I found though in an otherwise extremely good film. I highly recommend this one.
WOW! This was quite Interesting and he is quite disarming and charming! :o
midnitepantera31 July 2021
I usually hate these online movies, where everything takes place behind a screen, but this movie was worth a watch. Had me on the edge of my seat, watching all this screen and fake identity juggling. I can see how young, unexperienced, lonely, trusting girls with self-esteem issues could fall for these guys. They pull out all the stops to Charm the pants off ya! I don't get how any girl/woman would want to be involved in all this violence and suppression of women though. But I also don't believe in marriage, you don't need a piece of paper to be with someone and love them. I can't believe how far this journalist goes to get close to a terrorist. I can't say anymore without giving out spoilers so all I can say is Watch this with your teens, because they may be next to run into the arms of ISIS. :(
The first hour was compelling and stunning! What followed was stunningly stupid...
takechargedom17 July 2018
You gotta admit, the director knows how to make a captivating film. His style and "one computer screen" gimmick work shockingly well. I was engaged the entire first hour.... until the absolutely stupid and illogical script takes over.
The protagonist has to be the most stupid character I've had the displeasure to encounter in several years. And this includes countless B-movies as well. I got a cramp from shaking my head so much in the second half that the only way to avoid getting a headache was to leave. So I did.
The protagonist has to be the most stupid character I've had the displeasure to encounter in several years. And this includes countless B-movies as well. I got a cramp from shaking my head so much in the second half that the only way to avoid getting a headache was to leave. So I did.
Original way of story telling. The story compellingly shows how women are recruited by ISIS, and how risky it is to participate, even if only for research purposes
JvH4827 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Saw this at the Movies That Matter film festival 2019 in The Hague. It was much better that I had expected after having read the announcement. We follow a risky strategy to obtain more insight how ISIS recruitment works for women. (Side note: Previously I saw various movies about recruitment of men, running along very different lines. Logical, as men are targetted to become a warrior and not the wife of a warrior. So, how the men are approached and recruited is completely different.)
The story telling is original, even while having a clear parallel with Unfriended (2015) by Levan Gabriadze. Nearly everything relevant happens on screen, alternating between Facebook, Skype or Texting/Messaging, whatever the situation demands. Similar to Unfriended, this movie is impossible to describe to people who did not see it with their own eyes, experiencing the very proof it is indeed possible to create a compelling story this way. I've seen both movies, and I can vouch that it really works. One reviewer wrote about Unfriended: (quote) It's a premise that seems ridiculous until you start to realize it might actually be brilliant, or at least charmingly clever (end quote). I wholeheartedly agree with that observation.
The story itself is told in time jumps spanning some 20 days. The timeframe we are in remains clear throughout, as we see the day at hand selected on screen. Obviously, everything we see is in the past tense. It has been continuously recorded and is thus accessible on a day to day basis. There are no time jumps backwards. The developments are shown in chronological order.
In parallel, we see main protagonist Amy leading a "normal" life too, as the female part of a couple looking for a new house. Her "other" life plays a role on the backseat, however. What we get from it implicitly is that their relation is not 100% harmonious. Does it suggest she is more inclined to get bonded with the ISIS commander, or is that just my interpretation between the lines and not intentional?? Or is it merely her research drive as an investigative journalist that carries the story forward??
Switching on screen between the two lives is sometimes confusing and clobbering the story logic, yet necessary to maintain proper context. The tension rises near the end, when Amy is about to travel to Turkey, with a pivotal moment while having a stopover in Amsterdam. In Turkey she expects to finally meet the ISIS commander she had continuous contact with, the same person who made various promises about her future life as his wife. He, for example, showed her around in a big house (a room for baby 1 and one for baby 2, and of course the master bedroom), also promising ample money to spend. In short: a life as a princess (literal quote).
During aforementioned stopover in Amsterdam she learns that her future husband does not meet her personally in Turkey. When she clearly states that he is breaking his promise as she was looking forward to meeting him personally, suddenly his tone of his voice changes considerably, becoming more imperative. There is no trace anymore of the former sweet "love bird" tone of voice. In the end, we have a better view on what this "marriage" entails. Amy knows it now too, just in time while still in Amsterdam.
The consequences for her future life are devastating for reasons shown in the final scene and in the text boards that appear before the credits. (*** spoiler ahead ***) Her false Facebook profile does not protect her as much as she had hoped. The ISIS commander has obtained ample location information where she lives, not by hacking Facebook but by investigating images that were visible via windows behind her, like the train line that runs behind her house, and some defining pieces of the city skyline. A fatwa is issued that tasks every true Muslim to find her and kill her in the nastiest way possible.
The story telling is original, even while having a clear parallel with Unfriended (2015) by Levan Gabriadze. Nearly everything relevant happens on screen, alternating between Facebook, Skype or Texting/Messaging, whatever the situation demands. Similar to Unfriended, this movie is impossible to describe to people who did not see it with their own eyes, experiencing the very proof it is indeed possible to create a compelling story this way. I've seen both movies, and I can vouch that it really works. One reviewer wrote about Unfriended: (quote) It's a premise that seems ridiculous until you start to realize it might actually be brilliant, or at least charmingly clever (end quote). I wholeheartedly agree with that observation.
The story itself is told in time jumps spanning some 20 days. The timeframe we are in remains clear throughout, as we see the day at hand selected on screen. Obviously, everything we see is in the past tense. It has been continuously recorded and is thus accessible on a day to day basis. There are no time jumps backwards. The developments are shown in chronological order.
In parallel, we see main protagonist Amy leading a "normal" life too, as the female part of a couple looking for a new house. Her "other" life plays a role on the backseat, however. What we get from it implicitly is that their relation is not 100% harmonious. Does it suggest she is more inclined to get bonded with the ISIS commander, or is that just my interpretation between the lines and not intentional?? Or is it merely her research drive as an investigative journalist that carries the story forward??
Switching on screen between the two lives is sometimes confusing and clobbering the story logic, yet necessary to maintain proper context. The tension rises near the end, when Amy is about to travel to Turkey, with a pivotal moment while having a stopover in Amsterdam. In Turkey she expects to finally meet the ISIS commander she had continuous contact with, the same person who made various promises about her future life as his wife. He, for example, showed her around in a big house (a room for baby 1 and one for baby 2, and of course the master bedroom), also promising ample money to spend. In short: a life as a princess (literal quote).
During aforementioned stopover in Amsterdam she learns that her future husband does not meet her personally in Turkey. When she clearly states that he is breaking his promise as she was looking forward to meeting him personally, suddenly his tone of his voice changes considerably, becoming more imperative. There is no trace anymore of the former sweet "love bird" tone of voice. In the end, we have a better view on what this "marriage" entails. Amy knows it now too, just in time while still in Amsterdam.
The consequences for her future life are devastating for reasons shown in the final scene and in the text boards that appear before the credits. (*** spoiler ahead ***) Her false Facebook profile does not protect her as much as she had hoped. The ISIS commander has obtained ample location information where she lives, not by hacking Facebook but by investigating images that were visible via windows behind her, like the train line that runs behind her house, and some defining pieces of the city skyline. A fatwa is issued that tasks every true Muslim to find her and kill her in the nastiest way possible.
pretty intense
FeastMode30 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I had a good time with this movie. It really grabs you and doesn't let go. Lots of powerful scenes and intense moments. I was emotionally invested in the characters and story. And the leads both put on great performances. (1 viewing, 10/29/2021)
SPOILERS
there is really only one thing i didn't like, and that's the very end, the last shot. "it's the fear that is killing us. THE FEAR." this feels off for multiple reasons. One is that it seems out of character. She's been scared all movie of something like this happening. Of them POSSIBLY finding her. Now they actually find her and send her the scariest message of all time. Yet she does a 180.
It also seems out of nowhere. Like they didn't set it up. To me it just didn't fit. But worst of all, it was hard to take seriously. Seems like something someone would say as a joke or in a parody. I'm pretty sure south park and/or family guy have done jokes that sound just like that line. And being the final line of the movie, it leaves me with a bit of a sour taste. But not enough to lower my score. It's still a good movie.
But man that video threat... my jaw was dropped the entire time and i had goosebumps. I was legit scared for her. Well done.
Oh one other thing i disliked, the tech guy is terrible at his job and should be fired immediately. He messed up so many times.
SPOILERS
there is really only one thing i didn't like, and that's the very end, the last shot. "it's the fear that is killing us. THE FEAR." this feels off for multiple reasons. One is that it seems out of character. She's been scared all movie of something like this happening. Of them POSSIBLY finding her. Now they actually find her and send her the scariest message of all time. Yet she does a 180.
It also seems out of nowhere. Like they didn't set it up. To me it just didn't fit. But worst of all, it was hard to take seriously. Seems like something someone would say as a joke or in a parody. I'm pretty sure south park and/or family guy have done jokes that sound just like that line. And being the final line of the movie, it leaves me with a bit of a sour taste. But not enough to lower my score. It's still a good movie.
But man that video threat... my jaw was dropped the entire time and i had goosebumps. I was legit scared for her. Well done.
Oh one other thing i disliked, the tech guy is terrible at his job and should be fired immediately. He messed up so many times.
Unique premise, unbelievable execution
darkreignn20 May 2021
"Profile" is the newest thriller by Timur Bekmambetov, director of "Wanted" and "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter." However, I think it goes without saying that "Profile" is completely unlike either of those films. Here, Timur helms a story that unfolds in the same style as "Unfriended" or "Searching," in that the movie takes place entirely within a computer screen. I myself am a fan of this type of gimmick, so I was looking forward to this film, especially since it was foregoing supernatural horror and setting its anchor into more realistic ground.
"Profile" is about a journalist, played by the gorgeous Valene Kane, who decides that she wants to infiltrate the online propaganda channels of the so-called Islamic State (thank you IMDb for that spoiler-free synopsis!). And, in typical thriller fare, she decides that the best way to do this would be to pose as a new convert to Islam and get in touch with a real ISIS recruiter. Dangerous? Yes. Stupid? Most definitely. But is it thrilling? At points.
The biggest downfall of "Profile" is in it's promise - let's visit the IMDb synopsis again: An undercover British journalist infiltrates the online propaganda channels of the so-called Islamic State, only to be sucked in by her recruiter. The premise of a journalist starting to believe the insidious lies of a terrorist organization sounds incredibly riveting; the trouble is, in order for the audience to be engaged, the movie has to feel believable - "Profile" does not. At no point did I genuinely believe that Valene's character, Amy, was genuinely falling for ISIS' recruiting tactics, or for her recruiter. And as the movie continues and shows Amy show expressing sympathy toward her recruiter, Bilel, played by Shazad Latif, it simply doesn't feel natural. In their Skype conversations, Bilel tells Amy that he has killed dozens of people - he shares ISIS executions on his Facebook profile; by all intents and purposes, Bilel is a psychopath. So how is Amy allowing herself to get sucked in? The answer, to me, was unclear.
Sure, they share some intimate details about their lives, and they have what can be described as virtual dates together, but none of it feels like it would be enough to get Amy to legitimately desire to join the terrorist organization. However, in the film, it somehow is, and as you witness Amy spiral deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole, you'll only find yourself confused and unconvinced.
Additionally, I found a large majority of this movie to be unexciting. Sure, the acting was actually really good, especially by Valene, who plays both the meek, pretend new convert to Islam and the tenacious journalist very well (and did I mention how gorgeous she is?) But, even though the performances are watchable, the movie feels very bland and stale. When things start picking up in the last 20 minutes, yes, the film becomes genuinely thrilling - my heart rate actually did pick up at points. However, while exciting, the finale still manages to fall flat due to the fact that it occurs so late in the film, with so little screen time left to satisfyingly wrap everything up.
"Profile" is a very mixed bad for me. On one hand, the movie didn't necessarily bore me, it just failed to engage me. But on the other hand, the climax is incredibly thrilling, and will be sure to have you on the edge of your seat. In my opinion, if you have any interest at all in this film, you should see it. You certainly won't hate it, but you may not love it. Either way, you'll find some modicum of enjoyment, and toward the end, you'll get the adrenaline rush you were hoping for.
"Profile" is about a journalist, played by the gorgeous Valene Kane, who decides that she wants to infiltrate the online propaganda channels of the so-called Islamic State (thank you IMDb for that spoiler-free synopsis!). And, in typical thriller fare, she decides that the best way to do this would be to pose as a new convert to Islam and get in touch with a real ISIS recruiter. Dangerous? Yes. Stupid? Most definitely. But is it thrilling? At points.
The biggest downfall of "Profile" is in it's promise - let's visit the IMDb synopsis again: An undercover British journalist infiltrates the online propaganda channels of the so-called Islamic State, only to be sucked in by her recruiter. The premise of a journalist starting to believe the insidious lies of a terrorist organization sounds incredibly riveting; the trouble is, in order for the audience to be engaged, the movie has to feel believable - "Profile" does not. At no point did I genuinely believe that Valene's character, Amy, was genuinely falling for ISIS' recruiting tactics, or for her recruiter. And as the movie continues and shows Amy show expressing sympathy toward her recruiter, Bilel, played by Shazad Latif, it simply doesn't feel natural. In their Skype conversations, Bilel tells Amy that he has killed dozens of people - he shares ISIS executions on his Facebook profile; by all intents and purposes, Bilel is a psychopath. So how is Amy allowing herself to get sucked in? The answer, to me, was unclear.
Sure, they share some intimate details about their lives, and they have what can be described as virtual dates together, but none of it feels like it would be enough to get Amy to legitimately desire to join the terrorist organization. However, in the film, it somehow is, and as you witness Amy spiral deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole, you'll only find yourself confused and unconvinced.
Additionally, I found a large majority of this movie to be unexciting. Sure, the acting was actually really good, especially by Valene, who plays both the meek, pretend new convert to Islam and the tenacious journalist very well (and did I mention how gorgeous she is?) But, even though the performances are watchable, the movie feels very bland and stale. When things start picking up in the last 20 minutes, yes, the film becomes genuinely thrilling - my heart rate actually did pick up at points. However, while exciting, the finale still manages to fall flat due to the fact that it occurs so late in the film, with so little screen time left to satisfyingly wrap everything up.
"Profile" is a very mixed bad for me. On one hand, the movie didn't necessarily bore me, it just failed to engage me. But on the other hand, the climax is incredibly thrilling, and will be sure to have you on the edge of your seat. In my opinion, if you have any interest at all in this film, you should see it. You certainly won't hate it, but you may not love it. Either way, you'll find some modicum of enjoyment, and toward the end, you'll get the adrenaline rush you were hoping for.
Captivating
Gordon-1119 July 2021
Profile
JoBloTheMovieCritic14 May 2021
7/10 - probably my least favorite of the Screenlife thrillers (I have an unhealthy obsession with Unfriended and Searching), but still a really interesting true life story about ISIS recruiting all on the computer screen.
Lack of focus
Valid_ID22 January 2022
This movie has a very important message for Westerners; if only they listened!
Towards the end of the movie, the main character, Amy, makes a statement that reveals the reason for her impersonating a recent Muslim convert in order to discover the way jihads lure girls into Syria: "Fear is killing us", says Amy.
This statement may sound memorable, but in light of the movie it is absolutely wrong. It's not fear that's killing you, Amy; it's your slapdash attempt at an undercover job that should require your complete focus. You need the brains to match your gumption. No juggling various social media contacts, while trying to fool a jihadist, who by definition is a fanatic, so he's one-track minded, while your mind wanders from chat window to chat window,
What is actually killing you is your LACK OF FOCUS.
Towards the end of the movie, the main character, Amy, makes a statement that reveals the reason for her impersonating a recent Muslim convert in order to discover the way jihads lure girls into Syria: "Fear is killing us", says Amy.
This statement may sound memorable, but in light of the movie it is absolutely wrong. It's not fear that's killing you, Amy; it's your slapdash attempt at an undercover job that should require your complete focus. You need the brains to match your gumption. No juggling various social media contacts, while trying to fool a jihadist, who by definition is a fanatic, so he's one-track minded, while your mind wanders from chat window to chat window,
What is actually killing you is your LACK OF FOCUS.
A Hidden Gem!
katiebugg-499715 November 2022
I don't know why this movie doesn't have more exposure or popularity. It was a unique and well executed movie that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The fact that it's based on a true story makes it even better in my opinion. The desktop production gives you a very realistic feel. How someone can make an entire movie via FaceTime/Mac computer screen and it NOT get boring is down right amazing to me. The plot of this film opens your eyes and makes you understand how people can get drawn into these terrorist type groups or how normal every day people can be easily influenced to do the wrong thing. Loved this movie from start to finish. Very well done!
Well done
Waedliman2 July 2022
I was skeptical at first whether I would be able to hold out for long, virtually enduring only one camera angle, namely the one on Amy's laptop, for over 100 minutes. It succeeded and the reason is the cleverly made and well told story about a journalist who wants to uncover the recruiting actions of ISIS and in the process gets caught in the manipulative networks of her charming victim, who now in turn plays his cat and mouse game with her. The viewer knows no more than Amy, and what goes on in her head is ultimately what we experience. Well acted and straightforwardly told without frills. To what extent this is understandable and whether Amy's naivety is sometimes perhaps too much of a good thing, everyone must decide for themselves. For me it worked.
Profile
ninaringo5 March 2018
The film tells the story of a young female journalist who received an assignment to write a story about European women sent into sexual slavery by the ISIS. For this purpose she creates a fake profile of a British woman who has recently converted to Islam. On the internet she meets an ISIS fighter in Syria and they begin conversing with each other via Skype.
The film's action takes place entirely on a computer screen and is part of the Screen Life genre pioneered by Timur Bekmambetov.
British-Pakistani actor Shazad Latif portrayed the ISIS terrorist convincingly. Valene Kane also created an interesting image of a frustrated British female, who has problems with her job, finances and in her personal life.
The film touches upon several important issues - the phenomenon of women who have been recruited by the ISIS, a real problem of our time, which has become more widespread in recent years. When we read about these things in the press, it is difficult to understand the motivation of these women, as they should know what can happen with them in these countries. However, the film convincingly shows how how a woman becomes transformed from a successful journalist into a woman who is willing to leave everything and go to war-ridden Syria.
The film is also about lie and deceit which exists in different variations on the internet. We should not forget that screen representation is only a small slice of life, which can be either truth or complete fabrication.
The film is very current, since in the epoch of the internet there are a lot of fake news and boundaries between truth and lie become difficult to distinguish.
The film's action takes place entirely on a computer screen and is part of the Screen Life genre pioneered by Timur Bekmambetov.
British-Pakistani actor Shazad Latif portrayed the ISIS terrorist convincingly. Valene Kane also created an interesting image of a frustrated British female, who has problems with her job, finances and in her personal life.
The film touches upon several important issues - the phenomenon of women who have been recruited by the ISIS, a real problem of our time, which has become more widespread in recent years. When we read about these things in the press, it is difficult to understand the motivation of these women, as they should know what can happen with them in these countries. However, the film convincingly shows how how a woman becomes transformed from a successful journalist into a woman who is willing to leave everything and go to war-ridden Syria.
The film is also about lie and deceit which exists in different variations on the internet. We should not forget that screen representation is only a small slice of life, which can be either truth or complete fabrication.
The film is very current, since in the epoch of the internet there are a lot of fake news and boundaries between truth and lie become difficult to distinguish.
Surprisingly really good ...
Taaneekaa6 August 2023
But it's really shocking for me to know how easily someone can get manipulated. The journalist wasn't some poor little girl but a woman and she chooses to get manipulated. There was no credibility to the character Bilel so to "feel" for him was a choice. It's based on true events and a book by a French journalist called "in a skin of a jihadist". Sorry to say but she chose to get manipulated.
Yes, there's brainwashing but you also choose to get snuck into things especially when the person isn't even 1 percent trustworthy to begin with. You always make the decision. People don't like to take responsibility and hence we focus on brainwashing etc. More but there's always a choice. The choice to believe someone, care for someone, get manipulated, throw away your precious life for instant gratification and go astray.
Like I get you can empathise and definitely see both perspectives but then even if you understand someone's reason for doing things doesn't mean whatever that person is doing is right.
Overall, the good movie is really intriguing, tensed, thrilling and mysterious. Definitely not a waste of time. I'd give it 7 but it just doesn't sit right with me how someone can be so easily fooled. So obviously it's subjective. But yeah everything else is 7.
I also hope no editor and journalist talk to each like this. I'm a journalist and I wouldn't work with an editor who's this bossy. I get when working you have to be straightforward but at times it was disrespectful. But you know the journalist was also like that so they're made for each other.
Yes, there's brainwashing but you also choose to get snuck into things especially when the person isn't even 1 percent trustworthy to begin with. You always make the decision. People don't like to take responsibility and hence we focus on brainwashing etc. More but there's always a choice. The choice to believe someone, care for someone, get manipulated, throw away your precious life for instant gratification and go astray.
Like I get you can empathise and definitely see both perspectives but then even if you understand someone's reason for doing things doesn't mean whatever that person is doing is right.
Overall, the good movie is really intriguing, tensed, thrilling and mysterious. Definitely not a waste of time. I'd give it 7 but it just doesn't sit right with me how someone can be so easily fooled. So obviously it's subjective. But yeah everything else is 7.
I also hope no editor and journalist talk to each like this. I'm a journalist and I wouldn't work with an editor who's this bossy. I get when working you have to be straightforward but at times it was disrespectful. But you know the journalist was also like that so they're made for each other.
A Serious Problem Treated Badly
andrewrye-065354 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Maybe some other reviewers need to educate themselves.
This was a film that should have been great and ended up being rubbish.
ISIS targets women under 20 as they can sell a romantic notion of life as a bride of a fighter. The reason they are successful is that 15-18 yo are more easily swayed than older women. They have limited knowledge of the world and how it works. How does a 30 yo old journalist (even though she claimed to be 26, I believe she was still lying) who knows how ruthless they are get hooked? The whole reason for the story was to expose them, so she knew!
When she started to tell him a 'secret' (that she was actually a journalist) I thought - based on what? You know he is a ruthless killer, he showed be-headings along with other atrocities, what was the stories motivation for having her fall for him? If it was his swarthy good looks, prowess on the soccer field or that he had a gun, how shallow and ill thought out this story line was. At no time did she express dis-satisfaction with her life, or a desire to take up a life as a bride of a fighter. Even if you can wear fishnets under the burka. So, where was the motivation? For someone who had been trying for months (I believe she said 2 years) to infiltrate or attract a recruiter she had remarkably scant knowledge of their way of life.
Real journalists must be laughing in their pint watching this.
But what made me real angry was that this is an important story, could have been so much better but instead took a dive into unbelievability. Real 14-18 yo old girls are being coerced to travel to become ISIS brides and this didn't help. A shallow stupid movie that made no sense.
It was a 4, downgraded to 2.
This was a film that should have been great and ended up being rubbish.
ISIS targets women under 20 as they can sell a romantic notion of life as a bride of a fighter. The reason they are successful is that 15-18 yo are more easily swayed than older women. They have limited knowledge of the world and how it works. How does a 30 yo old journalist (even though she claimed to be 26, I believe she was still lying) who knows how ruthless they are get hooked? The whole reason for the story was to expose them, so she knew!
When she started to tell him a 'secret' (that she was actually a journalist) I thought - based on what? You know he is a ruthless killer, he showed be-headings along with other atrocities, what was the stories motivation for having her fall for him? If it was his swarthy good looks, prowess on the soccer field or that he had a gun, how shallow and ill thought out this story line was. At no time did she express dis-satisfaction with her life, or a desire to take up a life as a bride of a fighter. Even if you can wear fishnets under the burka. So, where was the motivation? For someone who had been trying for months (I believe she said 2 years) to infiltrate or attract a recruiter she had remarkably scant knowledge of their way of life.
Real journalists must be laughing in their pint watching this.
But what made me real angry was that this is an important story, could have been so much better but instead took a dive into unbelievability. Real 14-18 yo old girls are being coerced to travel to become ISIS brides and this didn't help. A shallow stupid movie that made no sense.
It was a 4, downgraded to 2.
Wow
gab-675993 June 2021
I think this will be a movie will either one will love or hate. I loved the way it gave you a look into just how easy it is to find out everything you need to know about a person, just by Skyping. Ppl should be more cautious on who they trust to look inside their life's. Based on a real person made this movie much more scarier. Now if you are not a fan of online based movies you will NOT like this one at all. I give them credit though, this was the first online movie that was not slow as hell. The lead knew exactly how to use a computer and worked it very well. I did read another comment that said being Muslim does not mean your a terrorist's. No one was saying it does but, in this movie it just so happened the guy was both. As a society we tend to stereotype ppl as often as we can. But this movie was simply telling a story in the hopes to reach that one person even thinking of doing something as crazy as this! Great story, I must also say Mr. Latif was a bit hot with his British accent. I will definitely be watching this one again.
And the gimmick continues
salonsoab1 July 2021
The gimmick of online/computer desktop storytelling is pretty apparent and like the other movies of its type, contains many issues. But the big problem I had with this film is how involuted the main character is. It becomes very hard to understand or relate to her because as the audience, I did not comprehend why she made the decisions she made, so the stupid decisions presented although coherent with the plot do not feel right with the character making them. Its very well paced though, and the tension is there, so I will give it a slight pass.
6.5/10.
6.5/10.
Disrespectful snuff
imdb-773-3466716 May 2022
Du'a Khalil Aswad was a 17-year-old Iraqi girl of the Yazidi faith, who was stoned to death in northern Iraq in early April 2007. Long before ISIS. She was the victim of an honor killing.
Why do I bring up her name?
Because actual footage of Khalil's brutal execution is used blatantly in this movie. Not to honor her memory. Not to put focus on sectarian, misogynic honor killings. No, the footage is used to depict the death of a fictional character in the film; a British teenage girl named Taylor Conger, who is killed by ISIS in the fictional story of the movie.
Why? Du'a Khalil Aswad wasn't at all fictional. What you see is sadly her actual flesh and blood. Du'a Khalil Aswad wasn't killed by ISIS either. Du'a Khalil Aswad wasn't a British teenager. Du'a Khalil Aswad didn't ask to be used as an unpaid extra while being beaten and stoned to death. Du'a Khalil Aswad didn't give Timur Bekmambetov permission to use her molested body as a movie prop.
Yet Timur Bekmambetov did. Maybe he thought nobody would ever notice? Maybe he couldn't care less about abusing some dead teenage girl? Maybe it saved him some money? Maybe he's into snuff?
However, one thing is certain: Timur Bekmambetov didn't have the decency to list her name in the credits.
Du'a Khalil Aswad.
Why do I bring up her name?
Because actual footage of Khalil's brutal execution is used blatantly in this movie. Not to honor her memory. Not to put focus on sectarian, misogynic honor killings. No, the footage is used to depict the death of a fictional character in the film; a British teenage girl named Taylor Conger, who is killed by ISIS in the fictional story of the movie.
Why? Du'a Khalil Aswad wasn't at all fictional. What you see is sadly her actual flesh and blood. Du'a Khalil Aswad wasn't killed by ISIS either. Du'a Khalil Aswad wasn't a British teenager. Du'a Khalil Aswad didn't ask to be used as an unpaid extra while being beaten and stoned to death. Du'a Khalil Aswad didn't give Timur Bekmambetov permission to use her molested body as a movie prop.
Yet Timur Bekmambetov did. Maybe he thought nobody would ever notice? Maybe he couldn't care less about abusing some dead teenage girl? Maybe it saved him some money? Maybe he's into snuff?
However, one thing is certain: Timur Bekmambetov didn't have the decency to list her name in the credits.
Du'a Khalil Aswad.
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