Not Okay – A Strong Social Media Satire (Early Review)

We live in a social media generation, leading obsessed masses to evaluate our own self-worth by such things as likes or followers. Others have taken that obsession to a much higher level by leveraging their followings and becoming influencers who impart their influence upon their followers for their own financial gain. For those who can do it right, it could be a prosperous one with some treating it like a job. That being said, the primary motivation for many is just attention and everything else is just a bonus. Watching the rise and infamy of influencers from afar, they have become something to aspire to be. While countless have tried, even less actually succeed. The social media subculture is ripe for satire and that is exactly what Not Okay attempts to do. Perhaps not as deep in retrospect because it is arguably a broad topic to cover anyway, framing it through the lens of an admittedly unlikable main character and their misguided aspirational journey was a compelling one. However, not everyone is going to see it that way. In the end, Zoey Deutch is an absolute force, delivering a career-best performance.

Not Okay follows a young woman named Danni Sanders (Deutch) who found herself in an increasingly-uncomfortable situation as a result of a lie. Simply looking for attention, specifically from an influencer named Colin (O’Brien), she talked herself into a corner and the only way to get out was to manufacture a cover story to cover for her lie. Little did Danni know that the cover story would escalate as it evolved to adapt to changing circumstances but it also got her everything she always wanted, to be noticed and taken seriously. In spite of that, her newfound notoriety came with a downside. Becoming a symbol for others, keeping up this image of inspiration to others proved to be tough though she wasn’t alone, befriending an anti gun violence advocate and social media influencer named Rowan (Isaac). Instead of using one’s platform for fame and glory, she opened up Danni’s eyes and showed that one can use one’s platform for good by initiating social change.

Whether or not Danni would take that responsibility seriously wasn’t necessarily a sure thing as the allure of her newfound fame was consuming to say the least. All things considered, knowing her true intentions and her tenuous grip on that fame, viewers will be left waiting for the inevitable moment when it will all come crumbling down. Alluding to the outrage associated with her lie being exposed at the beginning of the film, it was only the start of Danni’s downward spiral. Universally beloved seemingly overnight, that rise also meant stepping on a few people to get there. Under a spell as a result of that ruse, perhaps too easily, it would only take one person to look at it more critically and ask basic questions in order to bring it all down. While again, that end result was inevitable but there was still a sense of tension there which only works if there’s an emotional connection made with Danni. The premise of Not Okay may be silly, however, at its root is Danni’s character arc over the course of the film. Suffice it to say that she learned a lesson prompting her to evolve as a human being. Though there were hurdles as there often are, that journey was still compelling to watch.

At the end of the day, what makes Not Okay work is the aforementioned career-best performance from Deutch as Danni. She absolutely embodies the spirit of an overambitious aspiring social media influencer. While she is certainly an unlikable person on paper based on the way she goes about her ambitions, she does so with relatable motivations. The film avoids making her out as a caricature as she is merely a flawed human being therefore leaving an opening for an emotional connection. Its success lied solely on whether or not that connection could be made. Through all the highs and lows, Deutch gets to show off her incredible range as her likability makes it a fun ride. Meanwhile, Isaac is also a force in a supporting role acting as a strong moral counterbalance for Danni. O’Brien plays a much different role than most will be used to as Colin which could only be described as a Pete Davidson type for whom he effortlessly morphs into. Though it is a smaller role, he was still a delight and delivers a scene-stealing performance.

Not Okay is far more than just okay and a fun satire of a subject that deserves it.

still courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.