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Beware the Slenderman

Play trailer Poster for Beware the Slenderman 2016 1h 57m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 51% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
The mythos of a faceless, digital-age bogeyman known as Slenderman was created on the Internet, but his influence was felt in the real world when two 12-year-old girls lured their friend into the woods for a brutal murder.
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Beware the Slenderman

Beware the Slenderman

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Critics Consensus

Though it gets a bit lost in the details, Beware the Slenderman avoids exploiting its young subjects, instead providing insights into the looming dangers that lurk on the internet.

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Critics Reviews

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Lenika Cruz The Atlantic Feb 4, 2017
While Beware the Slenderman isn't an easy watch-and will undoubtedly inspire anxiety and panic in some viewers, particularly parents-it's a worthy one that helps make sense of a senseless crime. Go to Full Review
Johanna Schneller Toronto Star Jan 31, 2017
Harnessing the simplicity and reach of the Internet is an appropriate technique for this doc, because it's about just that. But using Skype is also a genius tip for any doc maker on a budget. Which is every doc maker. Go to Full Review
Nick Schager The Daily Beast Jan 27, 2017
What emerges is a portrait of the internet as the birthplace of contemporary folklore -- a virtual campfire in which disparate users come together to channel, and distill, their fears, anxieties, and dreams into fanciful tales, la the Brothers Grimm. Go to Full Review
Jason Shawhan Nashville Scene Sep 10, 2021
Beware the Slenderman is a deeply sad and ultimately tragic story that will make you consider how our legal, medical and mental health systems are actually working. You won't sleep well, but not for supernatural reasons. Go to Full Review
Jorge Loser Espinof Aug 16, 2019
The film focuses in details of the case, and tries to associate its two aspects without achieving a conclusive correlation or a solid theory to hold on to.[Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
Trace Thurman Bloody Disgusting Oct 31, 2018
4/5
A truly terrifying look at the influence the internet can have on today's youth. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Jens B @Jens97 Oct 17, 2026 I found it very interesting how the relatives of the perpetrators deal with everything. And alongside the nostalgia wave of the late '00s/early '10s (Slenderman also got me hooked back then), I was already wondering whether my internet consumption was problematic back then. Something similar is currently being discussed among the next generation with social media. Otherwise very calm pacing, you can see. See more
Gunner I @RT64755212 Oct 15, 2026 This is a very concerning documentary. See more
Tyler P. @TylerPhoenixMD Nov 26, 2025 Decent if you wanted to know what went down. See more
Evan O @RT99281509 Dec 4, 2022 This documentary centered around the 2014 Slenderman Stabbing is very emotional, especially for the parents of Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier. Luckily, Payton Luetner, who was stabbed 19 times survived. See more
Apr 5, 2021 Outrageous that the government allows minors that by undisputed scientific certainty don't have a fully developed brain and even a less developed decision-making part of the brain to waive their rights. Disgusting really. But good documentary See more
May 20, 2020 To often documentaries try to be artsy like an indie film. I just want to see the basic facts of what happened. No need for long panoramic shots for dramatic effect. This horrible story did not need to be told like this. See more
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Beware the Slenderman

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Cast & Crew

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Irene Taylor

Director

Morgan Geyser

Self

Anissa Weier

Self

Richard Dawkins

Self

Sophie Harris

Producer

Nick Midwig

Cinematographer

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Beware the Slenderman

Beware the Slenderman (2016) Photo Credit: Courtesy of HBO Photo Credit: Courtesy of HBO Photo Credit: Courtesy of HBO Photo Credit: Courtesy of HBO Beware the Slenderman (2016) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The mythos of a faceless, digital-age bogeyman known as Slenderman was created on the Internet, but his influence was felt in the real world when two 12-year-old girls lured their friend into the woods for a brutal murder.
Director
Irene Taylor
Producer
Sophie Harris, Sheila Nevins
Production Co
HBO Documentary Films, Vermilion Films
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
May 22, 2017
Runtime
1h 57m
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