Even the smartest, most detail-oriented people find themselves victims of an elaborate scam. Director Shane Brady and producer Emily Zercher anticipated the purchase of their new home. But wires were crossed, and financial institutions were hacked. That happens sometimes. Brady uses that experience as the basis for his new film, Hacked: A Double Entendre of Rage Fueled Karma, an outlandish fantasy/horror/comedy hybrid. Within a grounded reality, he builds the world with cheeky humor, exaggerated performances, and a wonderfully foolish plotline. The heart and charm of the film bloom out of Brady’s excessive approach, making for a damn good time. In 2026, we need a little of that silliness just to get through the day.
Amy (Augie Duke) and Mark (Brady) Rumble are in the home stretch of closing a deal on their first home. A few dotted lines and a wire transfer stand in the way of the American dream. Their two sons, Ralph (Owen Atlas) and Freddy (Collin Thompson), play video games all day and chat with other players from all over the world. When they nuke another player, the loser, who we come to know as The Chameleon (Chandler Riggs), a professional hacker, plots a diabolical plan to destroy their lives. The Chameleon hacks into their parents’ bank account via a scam email and drains everything they have.
Hacked then leaps into a tangled spy expedition to track down The Chameleon. The Rumble Family suffers no fools, and they’re more than up to the task of getting sweet revenge. Shane Brady begs you to suspend your disbelief, and you can’t help but comply. You tune in for the “based on a true story,” and you stay to see Riggs become a wickedly mischievous conman. Duke and her castmates also deliver plenty of sly wit and goofy character moments to make it all worth it. It’s the kind of film you watch high and/or drunk with your friends on a Friday night.
With its slick aesthetic and beguiling concept, Hacked: A Double Entendre of Rage Fueled Karma knows exactly what kind of film it is. It’s not trying to be some kind of David Lynch masterpiece, and that’s okay. And it’s not saying anything profound, and that’s okay. It’s simply a fun ride made to elicit laughs. When you have dark, terrifying stories such as Obsession and Backrooms tearing up the box office, Hacked reminds you that horror doesn’t always need to excavate the recesses of the human condition. It can just be a flighty mess to alleviate the stresses and anxieties of everyday living. Hacked: A Double Entendre of Rage Fueled Karma might just scratch that itch.
Hacked: A Double Entendre of Rage Fueled Karma is out now on all major digital platforms.
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