Delete

Shot from the movie
The Very Best

Delete2023

8/10
A mystery that deftly delivers well-loved tropes with a singular, dangerous phone

Centered around a phone with the power to make people disappear, Delete utilizes an intriguing supernatural element to create a steady mystery that thrives on moral dilemmas. With shifting perspectives and a non-linear narrative, it excels at building context and character motivation. What starts as an exposed affair becomes an exploration of the depths of human desires. The series has a strong start, setting a pace that hooks with melodrama and keeps eyes glued with its twists. Whether it's distrust in relationships or dependency on technology, there isn't a dull moment as the phones pass from hand to hand, and the stakes are risen by questionable intentions.

Synopsis

A pair of lovers having an extramarital affair plot a new life together after discovering a phone that can erase other people from existence.

Storyline

When deleting people at the press of a button is possible, secrets and greed immediately surface.

TLDR

We should all be glad this phone doesn't exist.

What stands out

Using non-linear storytelling isn't new to the mystery genre, but it's a staple for a reason. Following a character until the phone lands in another hand creates great tension for the consequences of the user's intentions. When the perspective shifts, it gives a full profile of new characters and their motives. This ensures that the threads find their way back to each other and the narrative never feels lost.