Deadstream (2022) Horror Movie Poster

Deadstream (2022)

MovieFound Footage Comedy Horror Supernatural Horror

Released: October 6, 2022

Runtime: 88 min

R

United States

English

A disgraced YouTuber locks himself inside a haunted house for a live stream to win back his followers, and the ghosts are very happy to have an audience. Deadstream is a found footage horror comedy that mixes real scares with sharp jokes about influencer culture. It was made by the husband-and-wife team Joseph and Vanessa Winter, who wrote, directed and edited it together. Joseph also plays Shawn, the obnoxious streamer, and wrote the music. It premiered at SXSW in 2022 and was released on Shudder, where it became a word-of-mouth hit. It was shot in an abandoned house in Utah on a small budget, with practical ghost effects inspired by Evil Dead. Fans still ask who the ghosts are, who Chrissy really is, and what happens to Shawn when the stream cuts out.

7.4/10

Horror Jungle Rating

IMDb

6.4/10

IMDb Rating

92%

Rotten Tomatoes

Watch Trailer Where to Watch

QUICK HORROR SNAPSHOT

Creepiness & Uncanny

7/10

Monster / Killer Threat

7/10

Atmosphere & Dread

6/10

Re-watch Value

7/10

Gore & Violence

6/10

Jump Scares

8/10

Psychological Terror

3/10

Overall Scare Factor

6/10

Tension & Suspense

6/10

Official Trailer

Where to watch

Updated November 12, 2026

Fandango at Home

Fandango at HomeUS

Rent/Buy

AMC+

AMC+CA · US

Available

Apple TV

Apple TVCA · UK

Rent/Buy

Apple TV

Apple TVUS

Buy

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime VideoCA · UK · US

Rent/Buy

Shudder

ShudderCA · UK · US

Available

SHOULD YOU WATCH IT?

Worth Watching?A smart, fun found footage horror comedy that mocks influencer culture.

Yes

Watch Alone?The jump scares are frequent, so it is more fun with friends.

Maybe

Watch in the Dark?The night-vision footage is far creepier in the dark.

Yes

Good for Date Night?Funny and jumpy, perfect for grabbing each other.

Yes

Watch With Parents?Lots of swearing and some gross gore.

Maybe

Beginner Friendly?The comedy helps, but there are lots of jump scares and some gore.

Maybe

Family Friendly?Rated R for language, gore and frightening scenes.

No

Slow Burn?The ghosts show up fast and it never slows down.

No

Headphones Recommended?Whispers and sounds in the house are a big part of the fun.

Yes

18+

Age RecommendationContains strong horror content, violence, and disturbing themes.

16+

Spoiler Free Review

Shawn Ruddy (Joseph Winter) was an internet star until a string of offensive stunts got him cancelled. To win back his fans and sponsors, he plans the ultimate comeback: a live stream from Death Manor, a house where several people died. He padlocks himself inside, throws away the key and dares the ghosts to show up.

Big mistake. The ghosts arrive quickly, and the film becomes a breathless mix of jump scares, gross-out effects and comedy. The live chat appears on screen, with viewers mocking, warning and helping Shawn, which makes it feel like a real stream.

Joseph Winter is very good at making Shawn both unbearable and oddly likeable, and the practical effects are wonderfully gross. It is one of the few found footage films that is as funny as it is scary.

Shawn's screaming can be exhausting, and the plot gets messy towards the end. But Deadstream is a clever, energetic ride and a must for fans of Evil Dead and haunted house films.

What Works

A smart take on influencer culture and online fame.

Plenty of jump scares that genuinely work.

Gross, practical ghost effects in the spirit of Evil Dead.

The on-screen live chat makes it feel real and adds laughs.

What Doesn't Work

Shawn's constant screaming can be tiring.

The ghost mythology gets confusing near the end.

The found footage style will not suit everyone.

FINAL VERDICT:

Deadstream is a fun, jumpy horror comedy with a sharp point to make. It proves found footage still has life in it. Watch it with friends on a dark night and keep a pillow close.

Be Careful, Spoilers Ahead

Plot Summary (Spoilers)

Shawn Ruddy, a disgraced internet star, plans a comeback by live streaming a night alone in Death Manor, a house where several people have died. Its most famous ghost is Mildred Pratt, a wealthy heiress and failed poet who took her own life after the death of her publisher and lover. Shawn padlocks himself inside and throws the key down a drain, so he cannot leave.

Shawn tries to provoke the spirits and soon strange things start to happen. A superfan named Chrissy turns up at the house, wanting to meet him and help with the stream. Together they use a spirit board. Later, Chrissy bites Shawn, and in a panic he stabs her, but her body vanishes.

His viewers explain what he has done: a symbol he destroyed was a hamsa, a protective charm, and a Latin phrase he read aloud binds souls to the house. The ritual to fix it requires a sacrifice of flesh. Chrissy was really Mildred's ghost in disguise all along.

Shawn escapes through a window and finds the banishing words hidden in Mildred's poetry. After finally giving a sincere apology to his viewers for his past stunts, he cuts off his own finger to complete the ritual. Mildred is dragged down into the basement.

Shawn celebrates his victory, but Mildred's own audience, the other ghosts of the house, surround him, and the stream cuts out.

Ending Explained

Who is Chrissy? Chrissy is Mildred Pratt, the house's main ghost, in disguise. She pretended to be a superfan to get close to Shawn.

Who is Mildred Pratt? A wealthy heiress and failed poet who killed herself after her lover and publisher died. Her spirit rules Death Manor.

Does Shawn die at the end? The film does not show it. He banishes Mildred, but then the house's other ghosts surround him and the stream cuts out. It strongly suggests he does not survive the night.

Why does Shawn cut off his finger? The ritual to banish Mildred needs a sacrifice of flesh. His finger is the price.

What is the film really about? Online fame. Shawn will do anything for views, and only when he drops the act and truly apologises does he find the strength to fight back.

Hidden Meaning & Symbolism

Clout chasing: Shawn risks his life for views, a dark joke about influencer culture.
The audience: The live chat, and Mildred's ghostly audience, show that every performer is at the mercy of their viewers.
Apology: Shawn's fake apologies fail; only an honest one gives him power.
Fame and death: Both Shawn and Mildred crave recognition, and both pay for it.

Scariest Moments

1

The Padlock: Shawn locks himself in and throws away the key, sealing his fate.

2

The Spirit Board: Shawn and Chrissy's session in the dark goes horribly wrong.

3

Chrissy's Bite: The friendly superfan suddenly attacks Shawn.

4

The Basement: Shawn crawls through the dark underbelly of the house with only his head camera.

5

The Final Audience: As Shawn celebrates, the house's ghosts close in around him.

Parents Guide / Trigger Warnings

Jump Scares

Severe

Constant jump scares throughout.

Flashing Lights

Moderate

Flashlights, camera glitches and night-vision flicker.

Graphic Gore

Moderate

Bites, stabbings, a severed finger and gross practical effects.

Suicide / Self Harm

Moderate

A ghost's suicide is part of the backstory, and Shawn cuts off his own finger.

Sexual Content

Mild

Some crude sexual jokes.

Substance Abuse

Very Mild

Little to none.

Animal Death

None

No animal deaths.

Child Death / Peril

None

No children are in danger.

Nudity

None

No nudity.

Trigger Warning Notes:

Contains a ghost's backstory of suicide, a self-amputated finger, stabbing, biting, and references to racism and online abuse.

Trivia

Joseph and Vanessa Winter wrote, directed and edited the film together, and Joseph also stars as Shawn and wrote the music.
It was shot in an abandoned house in Benjamin, Utah.
It premiered in the Midnighters section of SXSW in March 2022 before streaming on Shudder.
Melanie Stone plays both Chrissy and Mildred, and is also one of the film's producers.
The on-screen live chat comments were written into the film to make it feel like a real stream.

FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is Deadstream based on a true story?

No. It is fiction, though it is inspired by real internet stars who stream from haunted places.

Who is the ghost in Deadstream?

Mildred Pratt, a wealthy heiress and failed poet who killed herself. She also disguises herself as the superfan Chrissy.

Does Shawn die at the end of Deadstream?

It is not shown, but after he banishes Mildred, the house's other ghosts surround him and the stream cuts out, suggesting he does not survive.

Is Deadstream scary?

Yes, it has lots of jump scares, but the comedy keeps it fun rather than terrifying.

Is Deadstream found footage?

Yes. It is told entirely through Shawn's live stream cameras, with the live chat on screen.

Where was Deadstream filmed?

In an abandoned house in Benjamin, Utah.

Is there a Deadstream 2?

No sequel has been released.

Who made Deadstream?

Joseph and Vanessa Winter, a husband-and-wife team who wrote, directed and edited it together. Joseph also plays Shawn.

Where can I watch Deadstream?

It streams on Shudder in the US, UK and Canada, and on AMC+ in the US and Canada. It is not streaming in Australia or India.

Movie Information

Original Title

Deadstream

Release Date

October 6, 2022

Runtime

88 min

Country

United States

Language

English

Status

Released

Director

Joseph Winter, Vanessa Winter

Writer

Joseph Winter, Vanessa Winter

Main Cast

Joseph Winter, Melanie Stone, Marty Collins, Jason K. Wixom

Production Company

Winterspectre Entertainment, Cook Filmworks, Stonehaven Entertainment

Distributor

Shudder

IMDb Page