The horror genre is most notable for its ability to make us squirm in our seats, jump out of our skins, and despite the victim not being able to hear our helpful hints, we never fail to yell, “RUN!!” at the screen. There’s a sense of helplessness the viewer experiences as the victim makes all the wrong choices, never quite grasping the peril they’re in, until it’s too late. Finally, our shouts will no longer be in vain, but rather contribute to how the movie unfolds.

13^th Street has developed a new way for movie-goers to experience the horror genre with their film Last Call.  The first of its kind, Last Call invites the in-coming audience to enter their cell phone numbers into a speed dial database. At a certain point in the film, the victim makes a call for help, only that call rings an audience member’s phone. The selected audience member, then, tells the victim whether they should go up the stairs, or down, help another in need or get the heck outta dodge, making each viewing of the movie a unique experience.

The concept is new and exciting, but brings several questions to mind. First of all, it seems like it would be quite fun for the selected audience member, but would it really be all that enjoyable for the rest of the viewers who didn’t get the call? Secondly, what if the selected audience member makes all of the wrong decisions, or worse, all of the right decisions? It could make for a pretty uneventful movie. Lastly, how long is the victim going to keep you on the phone; those minutes aren’t free, you know?

All in all, you have to give 13^th Street some credit for taking an original concept and making it into a reality. As for how successful interactive movies will be is debatable. After all, it’s bad enough that people talk on their phones during movies, but are we really going to start encouraging it? I say, let the victim fail on their own. It’s what we all want anyway, right?

What do you think?