Don’t Log Off

A Clever Tech-Based Thriller with Timely Tension

Don’t Log Off is a low-budget yet inventive thriller that smartly uses the virtual world as its central stage. Directed by Brandon Baer and Garrett Baer, and filmed entirely during the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 film taps into our modern dependence on video calls to build a story full of suspense, secrets, and surprising twists. With its real-time format and tight runtime, it turns a simple video chat into an unpredictable psychological game.

The story takes place entirely on a group video call among close friends who have gathered to throw a virtual surprise party. But the fun is quickly derailed when one of the friends, Abby, suddenly appears in distress—and then vanishes. Her cryptic final message and disappearance set off a chain of frantic reactions, with each person on the call wondering if she has been kidnapped, if it's a prank, or if something far more sinister is happening.

As the group attempts to piece together what’s going on, hidden tensions and personal betrayals rise to the surface. The narrative unfolds in real time, making the tension feel immediate and intimate. Because the characters are isolated in their own spaces, the film uses this virtual setting to amplify the sense of helplessness and paranoia.

Don’t Log Off cleverly follows in the footsteps of films like Unfriended and Host, but gives its own spin by focusing more on character dynamics and emotional stakes. The performances, while natural and occasionally improvised, make the unfolding mystery believable and engaging. Though minimalist in style, the film succeeds in creating genuine suspense with limited tools.

In conclusion, Don’t Log Off is a sharp and timely thriller that proves you don’t need big budgets or elaborate sets to keep audiences hooked—just a smart idea, solid acting, and a webcam.