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Film: Hacked: A Double Entendre of Rage Fueled Karma
Year: 2025
Director: Shane Brady
Writer: Shane Brady
Starring: Owen Atlas, Collin Thompson and Augie Duke
Review:
This is a film that I got the chance to see thanks to Scott Motisko who sent over a press release. What I read sounded interesting and since there was a screener available and that this was a comedy/horror film, I agreed to check it out. I’ll say, it is light on the elements of the latter, but I can make the case. The title was interesting and since this is a wide release 2026 film, I agreed to check it out.
Synopsis: in 2021, ordinary people Shane Brady and Emily Zercher were hacked. $20,000 stolen. This story begins based on those true events. The rest? What we wish we could have done to that jerk.
Now we jump into the climax where we get flashes of someone being tortured. What we’ll learn is that the first ten minutes of what we see is mostly true. Not this group hurting someone, but what we will see after the disclaimer. Mark Rumble (Brady) is playing a version of himself. In the film, this significant other is Amy (Augie Duke). They have two sons, Ralph (Owen Atlas) and Freddy (Collin Thompson). This takes place during COVID and certain decisions turn the Rumble family’s life upside down.
Let’s start with how the boys play into it. They’re playing a game online and they defeat Rob Huberton (Chandler Riggs). He goes by the name, The Chameleon. He is a player in the game that uses money to get all the cool upgrades. There is one though that you have to put in time and show skill, which the Rumble boys have. They mock and boot him, which makes him want to get revenge. He’s a hacker so they’re his next target.
Mark and Amy lose their $20,000 house down payment after Rob tricks them with fraudulent wire instructions. Their incompetent title rep, Marshall (Hugh Scott), only highlights their error. At Fetch bank, Betty (Elyssa Kim) offers no help, noting that despite the bank's vast resources, they will not absorb the loss.
The Rumble family wants revenge. They need to figure out who took their money first. The boys have their way through the internet. The parents seek out aid from the police, Detective Dugas (Glenn Stanton) and Lieutenant Lucia Luna (Brittney Escalante). There isn’t much that they can do and in a plot twist, they’ve also been robbed by The Chameleon. The boys end up falling in with the CIA, Agents Kate (Katelyn Nacon) and Nova (Mia Castillo). This becomes a wild romp of revenge, kidnapping and torture, but will it give them the results they desperately need?
That is where I’ll leave my recap and introduction to the characters. I enjoyed this film, though its heavy comedic leanings won’t appeal to everyone. It is meta in nature, as Brady wrote, directed, and co-starred in a story based on his own experiences. While elements were fictionalized for cinematic effect, the movie presents an off-the-wall, entertaining version of how he wished the situation unfolded.
Let’s then start to delve into more. Starting with the truth in this, I feel for Shane and Emily. I was with my now wife when she bought her condo. I wasn’t even involved outside of moral support and it stressed me. We were relieved how smoothly the paperwork went for building our current home. The first time was pre-COVID and then the latter was post that time. Just knowing how rampant fraud can be, it makes me thankful that nothing like this happened with that. I have been defrauded and know the helpless feeling, so that’s something in its favor.
Then let’s look at their sons, Ralph and Freddy. In reality, they had two dogs and no children. The ending sequence shows Emily and she were carrying their first child. What is interesting here is that we learn the perils of being in high school during COVID. These boys are neglecting their studies to make videos and play video games. It is through this that they cross the path with The Chameleon. Adding this element is fun, since I’ve read stories about things happening to people stemming from games and getting too worked up. It is truly plausible.
Now I'll say that there are things that just make this outrageous. I don’t hate it since this is clearly not following what really happened and is a fantasy. I’ll say that we get Santa Claus (Richard Riehle), CIA agents and there’s even a moment when the camera will cut and someone else is playing Mark. I caught this and thought it was odd. They do a fourth wall break, which I’m not always a fan of. Since this is a meta as it is, I did get a chuckle as they didn’t want the audience to miss out on the joke. It also carries a message with identity theft there.
Other themes that are explored would be like how the film serves as cinematic catharsis for Shane and Emily, providing an emotional exorcism through absurdist escapism. It explores the illusion of digital anonymity involving the boys and The Chameleon, highlighting real-world consequences. Additionally, the story criticizes the breakdown of institutions and the lack of safeguards, showcasing the Rumbles pursuing vigilante justice instead.
The cast delivers over-the-top, caricature-like performances that enhance the film's comedy. Brady and Duke are relatable as well-meaning parents struggling for control, while Atlas and Thompson excel as teens facing the consequences of reckless digital behavior. Riggs shines as the villainous troll, supported by solid, quirky performances from Nacon, Riehle, Stanton, Kim, Castillo, and Scott. The rest of the ensemble effectively rounds out the cast.
All that is left then would be filmmaking aspects. Technically, the film is well-executed. Good cinematography and framing mask the modest budget, which isn’t a hindrance here. The effects, likely practical, are effective despite being semi-limited. While the torture of The Chameleon provides horror, even these moments are comedic and over-the-top. The music and sound design also appropriately support the production.
In conclusion, this succeeds as an outlandish and cathartic comedy, delivering a meta revenge fantasy rooted in the creators' real-life experience with identity theft. While light on traditional horror, the film uses absurdist escapism and over-the-top, caricature-like performances to explore relevant themes, including digital anonymity, real-world consequences, and the failure of institutions, justifying the Rumbles' pursuit of vigilante justice. Technically sound, with effective cinematography and sound design that believe its modest budget, the movie is a well-executed and entertaining romp that delivers its message with comedic flair.
My Rating: 7 out of 10