ChadGetsTheAxe
A horror film about influencers livestreaming a cult murder site.
#ChadGetsTheAxe (also written as ChadGetsTheAxe or Chad Gets The Axe) is a 2022 horror film directed by Travis Bible, who co-wrote the script with Kemerton Hargrove. The story centers on four social media influencers—Chad, Steve, Jennifer, and Spencer—who decide to livestream their visit to an abandoned house where a Satanic cult once carried out a string of gruesome ritual killings.
In the film, Chad and Steve discover a corpse in the attic. Steve places his hat on the body, which angers some viewers but also attracts new ones. Jennifer and Spencer initially leave, but Jennifer returns after learning about the spike in viewers. Worried about backlash, Steve goes back to retrieve his hat, only to find the body gone. He is then knocked unconscious by a figure in a robe. Chad’s phone goes missing, and he and Jennifer track it to a nearby swamp. While Chad goes to get the phone, a robed figure abducts Jennifer. Chad returns, assumes she is playing a prank for a rival channel, but is soon attacked and wounded with an axe. He tries to get help from his peers (who seem to dislike him), the police (who think it is one of his stunts), and his family (who ask for favors before assisting). Viewers are divided: some think it is a hoax, others believe the cult was never caught and has continued killing elsewhere. Two followers come to Chad’s aid but are killed by cult members. Chad returns to the house after learning Jennifer is captive. He confronts one cult member, but Jennifer reveals there are more. Outnumbered, Chad fails to save her; the cult murders Jennifer, Steve, and Spencer (who had returned after seeing Jennifer’s abduction and was knocked out). Chad is chased and killed with an axe. During the credits, social media videos reacting to the livestream appear, showing grief, disbelief, mockery, and celebration of Chad’s death.
The cast includes Spencer Harrison Levin as Chad, Michael Bonini as Steve, Taneisha Figueroa as Jennifer, Cameron Vitosh as Spencer, and others such as Jerilyn Armstrong, Brandon Doyle, Eric Gibson, Shun Hagins, Kemerton Hargrove, Terry J. Nelson, Aleigh Porter, Ru Benjamin Revolver, Cairo Spencer, and Ryan Anthony Williams.
Director Travis Bible cited the Black Mirror episode *Bandersnatch* as inspiration.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Travis Bible
- Writer
- Travis Bible / Kemerton Hargrove
- Starring
- Spencer Harrison Levin / Michael Bonini / Taneisha Figueroa / Cameron Vitosh
- Released
- 2022
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film's synopsis details how influencers Chad, Steve, Jennifer, and Spencer livestream their exploration of an abandoned home where a Satanic cult once committed gruesome ritualistic murders. Chad and Steve find a body in the attic; Steve places his hat on it, angering viewers but also attracting new ones. Jennifer and Spencer leave, but Jennifer returns after learning of increased viewers. Steve goes to retrieve the hat but finds the body missing and is knocked out by a robed figure. Chad's phone goes missing, and he tracks it to a swamp; while he retrieves it, Jennifer is abducted. Chad assumes it is a prank until a robed figure attacks him with an ax. He seeks help from peers, police, and family, all of whom reject him. Two followers come to his aid but are murdered. Chad returns to the house to rescue Jennifer, who reveals multiple cult members. The cult murders Jennifer, Steve, and Spencer, then chases and kills Chad with an axe. Over the credits, social media videos respond to the livestream, with reactions ranging from grief to mockery.
Reader's Guide
#ChadGetsTheAxe premiered at FilmQuest on October 29, 2022, and was released to streaming and video on demand on September 1, 2023. The film holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 8 reviews. Dread Central and Screen Anarchy praised it, with Screen Anarchy noting it was targeted toward younger viewers and calling it 'effectively creepy at the right time.' Ginger Nuts of Horror wrote a favorable review, describing it as 'a fun swipe at social media popularity and the toxicity of the internet, with a modern-day satanic cult thrown in for good measure,' and noting minimal gore but good jump scares. The film's significance lies in its commentary on internet culture and the blurred line between performance and reality, as well as its innovative concept of switching between four streamers' perspectives, originally pitched with interactive elements inspired by the Black Mirror episode Bandersnatch.
Did You Know?
- The film was inspired by the Black Mirror episode Bandersnatch.
- The initial pitch included audience interactivity allowing switching between streams, which was later dropped.
- The cast includes Spencer Harrison Levin as Chad and Michael Bonini as Steve.
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