DEAD FAKE

A teen races to find the culprit behind a series of deepfake murder videos.

Ten years ago, Ava’s Uncle Miles murdered three people—although one fought back, inflicting a fatal stab wound before he died. Ava struggles to reconcile the monster people believe her uncle to have been with the unconditionally loving man she knew. When a QR code for a quiz on the app Swipe to Die appears on school bulletin boards, Ava’s classmates can’t resist answering the questions. Soon after, videos appear that show students (who are alive and well) being brutally murdered. Ava is unsettled, while others brush them off as harmless—until victims end up really being killed in the same fashion as their “dead-fakes.” Ava believes the videos might be connected to Uncle Miles’ alleged killing spree, and with her best friends, she tries to find the person behind the app. The thrilling premise explores the dangers of AI, but the central storyline is weighed down by subplots that create a disjointed narrative. In addition to investigating the murders, Ava is intent on proving her uncle’s innocence, hopes to date someone who doesn’t know her family history, and navigates a changing relationship with a close friend who has a new boyfriend. Bleak Haven’s grisly past repeatedly arises with no real explanation. The end reveal is intriguing, but the culprit’s motives don’t hold up to scrutiny. Most characters present white.

Fast-paced and original but marred by a disjointed plot.