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Horror thriller

Friend Request (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Friend Request (2017) movie poster

Friend Request is a 2017 horror thriller directed by Simon Verhoeven, starring Brit Morgan as Olivia, Sean Marquette and Connor Paolo. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and earned $11 million worldwide on a $9.9 million budget. Critics gave it 31 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10. Stream it on Philo and Starz, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
5.2/10
worldwide gross
$11M
Echo Score
43
Metascore
31
Friend Request (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Director
Simon Verhoeven
Genres
Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$9.9M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Friend Request About?

The premise of Friend Request without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A college student’s life takes a dark turn when she accepts a friend request from a mysterious stranger online. As the stranger’s unsettling presence spreads across her social media, a series of disturbing events unfold, and Laura’s friends become victims of a sinister curse. She must discover the truth behind the connection and fight to end the escalating danger before she becomes the next target.

Friend Request Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • witch
  • funeral
  • police investigation
  • suicide
  • hospital
  • betrayal
  • orphanage
  • loneliness
  • psychotronic film
  • scrying
  • black mirror
  • witchcraft
+38 more
  • trichotillomania
  • revenge
  • occult
  • self immolation
  • hanging
  • sound distortion
  • forest
  • creepy
  • psychotic
  • spirit
  • social media
  • ghost
  • supernatural power
  • social network
  • laptop computer
  • college student
  • elevator
  • stabbed in the stomach
  • birthday
  • birthday party
  • hit by a car
  • paranormal phenomenon
  • wasp
  • friendship
  • cafeteria
  • wasp nest
  • pulling hair out
  • gun
  • shooting oneself
  • shooting oneself in the head
  • stabbed in the neck
  • mother
  • daughter
  • mother daughter relationship
  • unrequited love
  • friend request
  • hacked
  • computer hack
Where to watch

Where to Watch Friend Request

Stream it on Philo and Starz, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Friend Request Cast & Characters

Brit Morgan leads the cast as Olivia, with Sean Marquette as Gustavo and Connor Paolo as Kobe. Directed by Simon Verhoeven; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Friend Request

· 6 more
Ratings

Friend Request Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Friend Request 31 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 43/100, strongest in art & craft (45) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

43 /100

Friend Request Echo Score Breakdown

The overall reception of Friend Request reflects a generally mixed and underwhelming response. While a handful of reviewers praised brief touches of visual style and occasional jump scares, most commentary highlights a thinly drawn plot and predictable pacing that fails to maintain tension. Performances and thematic relevance receive uneven remarks, ranging from basic effectiveness to outright dismissal. Overall, the film delivers modest entertainment value but falls short of offering substantial depth or lasting impact.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of art and craft, the film presents sporadic visual flair offset by uninspired compositions. Critics often dismissed generic set pieces and uninventive direction, though some comments noted imaginative animation sequences and effective shot framing. User feedback echoes this mix, praising certain composition elements but criticizing overall monotony. As a result, the visual design registers moderate interest but lacks consistent innovation.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances vary between uneven sincerity and uninspired portrayals. Criticism centers on limited emotional depth and awkward character reactions, with a few mentions of competent individual performances failing to lift the material. User observations similarly point to inconsistent casting quality and minimal character development. Ultimately, the film offers limited emotional engagement through its cast.

  • Story & Flow 40

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative is largely predictable and lacks sustained tension. Reviews cite a generic plot structure and clichéd pacing, with jump scares that arrive without sufficient buildup. Some users acknowledge a workable basic premise and an effective conclusion, but most note uneven dialogue and logical gaps. Consequently, the plot delivers modest cohesion but fails to engage deeply.

  • Sensory Experience 45

    Regarding sensory experience, the film delivers intermittent jolts and occasional musical alignment but rarely builds true atmosphere. A handful of reviews praise a well-matched soundtrack and a few effective scare moments, yet many point to flat sound design and lackluster visual cohesion. Overall, the sensory elements provide brief impact without lasting immersion.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    As for rewatch factor, the title proves to be a transient novelty suited for casual viewing rather than lasting appeal. Critics often describe the film as forgettable background entertainment, and user feedback frames it as a ‘brain-off’ pastime more than a compelling repeat watch. In sum, the film offers limited incentives for repeated viewings.

Plot

Friend Request Plot Summary

What happens in Friend Request from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Laura Woodson is a popular student known for her extensive online network of 800 Facebook friends. She shares an apartment with her friends Olivia Mathison, Isabelle, and her boyfriend Gustavo Garcia. Among her close companions are Kobe, her trustworthy confidant, and Tyler McCormick, the guy she admires from afar. However, the peace of their social circle is shattered when Laura receives a friend request from classmate Marina Mills, whose negative online persona raises red flags. Despite her better judgment, Laura accepts the request, leading to an unexpected friendship. Yet, Marina’s increasingly obsessive behavior quickly begins to unnerve Laura.

Full summary

The whole story of Friend Request, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Friend Request Box Office & Budget

Friend Request grossed $11 million worldwide on a $9.9 million budget, 1.1 times what it cost. $3.8 million came from the US and Canada and $7.2 million (66%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$11M

1.1× its budget

US & Canada
$3.8M
International
$7.2M
Budget
$9.9M
US & Canada 34% Rest of the world 66%
Videos

Friend Request Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Friend Request.

Friend Request – Official Trailer – Warner Bros. UK
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Friend Request?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Laura's social media platform of choice?

Cars

Cars in Friend Request

7 cars on screen, including the 1980 Ford F-Series and the 1992 Toyota 4Runner.

All 7 cars
  • 1980 Ford F-Series in Friend Request 1980 Ford F-Series Important role
  • 1992 Toyota 4Runner in Friend Request 1992 Toyota 4Runner Important role
  • 1994 Chevrolet Caprice in Friend Request 1994 Chevrolet Caprice Minor role
  • 1997 Honda CBR 1100 XX Super Blackbird in Friend Request 1997 Honda CBR 1100 XX Super Blackbird Background role
Details

Friend Request Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “Kill a Friend” and “Unknown Error”.

Also known as
  • Kill a Friend
  • Unknown Error
  • Solicitud de amistad
  • Žádost o Přátelství
  • Запрос в друзья [Friend Request (2015)], friend request
  • เฟรนด์ รีเควส ผี แอด เพื่อน
  • Запрос в друзья
  • Friend Request - La morte ha il tuo profilo
  • Pedido de Amizade
  • 언프렌드
  • Halál a neten
  • 好友请求
+7 more
  • Lanetli Mesaj
  • 非死不可
  • Покана за приятелство
  • Запит в друзі
  • Profil śmierci
  • Kết Bạn Với Ma
  • デッド・フレンド・リクエスト

Seen Friend Request?

FAQ

Friend Request FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Friend Request, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Friend Request?

Friend Request runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was Friend Request released?

Friend Request was released on September 22, 2017.

Who directed Friend Request?

Friend Request was directed by Simon Verhoeven.

More films by Simon Verhoeven

Who is in the cast of Friend Request?

Friend Request stars Brit Morgan as Olivia, Sean Marquette as Gustavo and Connor Paolo as Kobe, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch Friend Request?

In the US, Friend Request is streaming on Philo and Starz and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Friend Request make at the box office?

Friend Request grossed $11 million worldwide ($3.8 million domestic, $7.2 million international) on a budget of $9.9 million.

How is Friend Request rated?

Friend Request has 5.2/10 on IMDb, 31 on Metacritic, 56% on TMDB and 2.0/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Friend Request have a post-credit scene?

No. Friend Request has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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