Mainstream

Once "Mainstream" locks into its purpose - showing the vapidity, cruelty and calculation of certain YouTube stars - it soars.

A more incisive film would have something to say about using empty spectacle to comment on empty spectacle.

[Mainstream] drills down hard into its subject, jettisoning Coppola's previous restraint in favor of a more confrontational and graceless hyperactivity.

The film has the knowing swagger of something on the cutting edge but none of the self-awareness to realize it's late to the party.

A horrifically empty "social media satire"...

Mainstream takes a while (and a lot of hipster costume changes) to get there, but it eventually throws up some pertinent questions to ponder...

Though some of Mainstream’s criticisms are understandable and others questionable, the film proves unafraid and daring in its ambitious stylistic choices, memorable central performance and dystopian vision.

...a progressively hit-and-miss endeavor...

Its message may be muddled but thanks to Garfield’s mesmerising performance, Mainstream is certainly clickworthy.

Its commentary on vapid internet culture doesn't extend any further than poking fun at young people for looking at their phones a lot.