Alan Ritchson’s Backrooms reappears on free streaming
When it comes to conspiracy action thrillers involving renegade groups battling government agencies, some might argue that the film Dark Web: Cicada 3301 is an outlier. Yet, director Alan Ritchson’s debut manages to pull off something genuinely sharp, landing squarely in the realm of slick, surprisingly funny techno-thrillers.
Despite its unconventional title and the pedigree of the director—most viewers know him from the action-packed Reacher—the film is anything but simple. It successfully blends the high-stakes paranoia of the hacker genre with a razor-sharp sense of humor, making it feel perfectly at home among the hacker movies of the 1990s.
The narrative is rooted in the online puzzles of the Cicada 3301 Alternate Reality Game (ARG), an initiative that originated on 4Chan and was presented as a search for highly intelligent and qualified hackers. The movie follows the story from the perspective of a hacker named Connor, played by Jack Kesy, as his involvement in the Cicada initiative inevitably draws unwanted, intense attention from the NSA.
The chase kicks off in media res, plunging the audience directly into the action as Connor finds himself entangled in a complex and outrageous narrative. The film quickly reveals the nature of this bizarre story, featuring unexpected appearances by Agent Carver, who is played by Ritchson himself.
This dynamic interplay between the digital world and government pursuit creates a uniquely compelling tension. It’s a masterclass in kinetic storytelling, delivering a high-octane experience that feels as intelligent and slick as some of the best action cinema. Ultimately, Dark Web: Cicada 3301 proves that when you mix the world of digital conspiracy with a dash of absurdity, you can create a truly unforgettable cinematic experience.
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