[Review] Deadstream (Redemption Rye Bourbon)

Deadstream (2022) follows Shawn Ruddy, a disgraced influencer, attempting to regain his online followers and sponsors after being “cancelled” due to an apparent stunt gone wrong. Ruddy issues an apology to the community and vows to spend the night at a haunted house known as Death Manor to win back his audience. 

From the onset, it’s clear this dude is a major douchebag.  With that said, it's really hard to hate him, and found myself wanting him to pull off the come back.

Which is why the perfect drink to pair with this movie is: Redemption Rye Bourbon

noun: redemption; the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil. 

Very fitting!

Redemption Rye (46% ABV / 92 proof) is made with 95% rye and 5% malted barley.

Full disclosure: This is my first-time trying Redemption.

Let’s get sippin’!

Local legend says Death Manor is haunted by a woman that died by suicide after the loss of her lover. Once inside, Shawn conducts a séance and awakens the spirit of Mildred Pratt, the deceased poet (whose poems don't even rhyme). Shawn battles his way, room by room, fighting various forms of evil demons as he attempts to undo the curse, he unknowingly cast on himself, while millions of people follow along live.

This is where Joseph Winter as Shawn Ruddy steals the show. Ruddy’s personality has you constantly conflicted on whether you are rooting FOR or AGAINST him. Winter puts on a top-notch performance as he captures the current state of streaming culture designed to engage and entertain the masses.  

“This room smells like my AH”

Speaking of smells, the first whiff of Redemption Rye and I get sweet, candy-like sugar, and a nice dose of mint. Almost reminds me of a pack of Wrigley’s Spearmint gum. I’m intrigued.

The taste? Minty, leafy, and floral-like spices (with just a hint of pond water 😉).

Deadstream manages to balance on the nose social influencer humor (sometimes the funniest things are the chat boxes), with a unique take on found footage, and legitimate scares into an Evil Dead-esque house of horrors. The practical effects and make-up are extremely well done considering the movie’s budget and start-up mentality. The viewer, much like the folks in chat, is torn between looking away versus being glued to the screen to see what happens next.

The people in chat are RUTHLESS!

Another positive is the score, also done by Joseph Winter. Throughout the movie Ruddy deploys a personally crafted playlist, mostly a mash of 80’s/video game +  synth vibes to create a retro-sound that every nerd will appreciate. 

Kudos to Vanessa & Joseph Winter, the Cook Family, and the rest of the small team for bringing found footage into a new era.

Overall: For an under $30 bottle of rye and an action-packed 87-minute movie, full of great gags and good scares, you can't go wrong. Fire up Shudder and check out Deadstream today.

Redemption Rye: 5.75/10

Deadstream: 7.75/10