🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Henry Joost
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Adventure
- Release year: 2016
- Runtime (length): 1h 36min
- IMDb rating: 6.5/10 (143K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 68%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Shy girl joins an online dare game to impress a boy, accidentally becomes a criminal, and then hacks the system to become cool, solving all her problems with a single line of code.
🍿 Nerve: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to Nerve
Venus ‘Vee’ Delmonico, a high school senior from Staten Island, is tired of living in the shadow of her popular best friend, Sydney. After being rejected by her crush, Vee impulsively decides to sign up for Nerve, an online game where ‘watchers’ pay to watch ‘players’ complete dares. The dares escalate in intensity and reward.

Partnership with Ian
Vee’s first dare is to kiss a stranger at a diner. She chooses Ian, who is reading her favorite book. They quickly become a popular pair, with watchers funding increasingly risky and elaborate dares throughout New York City. As they complete these dares, Vee starts to come out of her shell and gains confidence.

Escalating Stakes and Betrayal
As Vee and Ian delve deeper into the game, the dares become more dangerous and personal. They uncover secrets about each other’s pasts, adding tension to their budding relationship. The game starts to affect Vee’s friendships and her relationship with her mother, Nancy, who is unaware of her involvement.

Sydney’s Downfall and Vee’s Revelation
Sydney, envious of Vee’s popularity, takes on a dangerous dare and fails, leading to her withdrawal from the game. Vee confronts Sydney about their strained friendship, realizing Sydney’s own insecurities. Vee then learns that Ian was dared to instigate the fight, causing her to question the authenticity of their connection.

Forced to the Finals
After Vee attempts to report Nerve to the police, she is kidnapped and forced to continue playing, now a prisoner of the game. Ian reveals his own past trauma connected to Nerve, explaining his motivation to reach the finals and end the game. They discover the final dare: Vee and Ian must shoot each other.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Vee (Emma Roberts): A shy high school senior who joins the online game Nerve to break out of her shell but finds herself in increasingly dangerous situations.
- Ian (Dave Franco): A mysterious and charismatic player in Nerve who partners with Vee and has a hidden past connected to the game.
- Sydney (Emily Meade): Vee’s competitive best friend who initially introduces her to Nerve but becomes jealous of Vee’s success in the game.
- Tommy (Miles Heizer): Vee’s supportive friend who secretly has feelings for her and tries to help her navigate the dangers of Nerve.
- Ty (Colson Baker): An aggressive and ruthless player in Nerve with a history with Ian, who becomes a primary antagonist.
- Nancy (Juliette Lewis): Vee’s overprotective mother who is unaware of the dangers her daughter is facing within the Nerve game.
- Liv (Kimiko Glenn): One of Vee and Sydney’s friends who is present during some of the Nerve challenges and offers support.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Vee: “I just want to do something different.” – Vee expresses her desire to break out of her comfort zone, setting the stage for her involvement in Nerve.
- Ian: “It’s just a game, Vee. Nothing real.” – Ian says this, but then Vee discovers the game is anything but, and has real life or death stakes.
- Vee: “Are you a watcher or a player?” – This is the tagline of the movie and it’s a recurrent question, challenging the audience to reflect on their own roles in online culture.
- Vee: “I’m not going to let you watch me die.” – Vee’s defiant statement in the final showdown, rejecting the voyeuristic nature of the game and taking control.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $19,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $38,583,626
- Worldwide Gross: $85,251,425
💥 Nerve Reviews
Personal Review
I remember seeing Nerve when it first came out and being completely hooked by the idea of this underground online game. The visuals were so vibrant and cool, and it felt like a glimpse into a possible future. Emma Roberts and Dave Franco had great chemistry. But honestly, the ending felt a bit rushed and too convenient. I wish they had explored the darker implications of the game a bit more! Still, it’s a fun, exciting ride that really makes you think about how much we share online.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Teenagers and young adults”
- “Fans of thriller and suspense movies”
- “Viewers interested in social commentary about technology”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Dangerous stunts”
- “Mild violence”
- “Suggestive content”
- “Intense scenes”
Professional Reviews
- ScreenRant: “Nerve offers a timely commentary on internet culture and voyeurism, but the plot becomes increasingly far-fetched as it progresses. Roberts and Franco deliver engaging performances, but the film ultimately struggles to balance its thrilling premise with a meaningful message.
- Bob-the-movie-man: “”Nerve” delivers a genuinely original screenplay and topical exploration of the ‘dark web’ and social media. Though it lacks the dramatic depth for a classic and is let down by a scene of male-on-female violence. It’s still recommended for a memorable movie experience
- N/A: “Nerve has good performances from its two leads and a unique visual style, and it certainly has its fair share of entertainment. However, though it might not be fair, the trailer absolutely ruined my experience by giving away the vast majority of the plot. Even besides that, there are issues in the film’s storytelling, and whenever the movie tries to be taken seriously, it falls flat on its face.
Audience Reactions
The neon-drenched visuals and fast-paced action kept viewers on the edge of their seats.: Most viewers agreed that the movie had a cool concept and a relevant message about social media, though some felt the execution was lacking.
Overall Consensus: A stylish and thrilling ride with a relevant message about online culture, though the plot may be too far-fetched for some.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The directors have stated that they cut a very sexual dare from the film to maintain accessibility for younger audiences.”
- “The movie draws inspiration from the rise of online streaming and the dark web culture, aiming to reflect contemporary social media trends.”
- “The film utilizes augmented reality elements to visualize the online world of Nerve, with usernames appearing superimposed onto the cityscape.”
🖥️ How to Watch Nerve?
Nerve is available for streaming on platforms like Prime Video, and Apple TV. You can also rent or purchase the movie on these platforms. Check your local listings for cable availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Nerve, you might like these similar films:
- 13 Sins (2014): Dark thriller about a man who participates in increasingly dangerous and morally questionable dares for money, similar to the high-stakes challenges in Nerve.
- The Game (1997): A wealthy man gets caught up in a mysterious and increasingly dangerous game that blurs the line between reality and illusion, echoing Nerve’s theme of manipulated reality.
- Unfriended (2014): A horror film that explores the darker side of online interactions and cyberbullying, sharing Nerve’s cautionary message about technology’s potential for harm.
- Ready or Not (2019): A modern horror-comedy where a bride must survive a deadly game of hide-and-seek on her wedding night, offering a similar blend of thrills and dark humor.
🛒 Nerve Related Products
- Nerve (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the thrilling experience with the pulse-pounding soundtrack featuring electronic and indie tracks that capture the film’s energy.
- Nerve Movie Poster: Decorate your space with a high-quality print of the film’s iconic poster, showcasing Emma Roberts and Dave Franco in a neon-lit cityscape.
- Nerve-Inspired T-Shirt: Show your allegiance to the game with a t-shirt featuring a bold ‘Watcher’ or ‘Player’ design.
- “Truth or Dare” Board Game: Bring the suspense and excitement of “Nerve” to your next game night with an updated version of “Truth or Dare” . Featuring challenges inspired by the film and designed to push your limits.
🎧 Soundtrack
Nerve features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Nerve is a thriller about a high school senior who joins an online game of truth or dare, where watchers pay to see players complete increasingly dangerous dares.
Yes, Nerve is based on the young adult novel of the same name by Jeanne Ryan.
The movie explores themes of peer pressure, the dangers of social media anonymity, and the consequences of voyeurism and desensitization in the digital age.
Nerve was primarily filmed in New York City, showcasing iconic locations and urban landscapes.
🔥 Bonus Content
Nerve – Movie Review
Dive into this thought-provoking review by Chris Stuckmann and gain a fresh perspective on the movie ‘Nerve.’ His sharp analysis will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the film’s intricacies and flaws.
The Movie Nerve, but only the best actor, Machine Gun Kelly
Get ready for some laughs! This hilarious clip focuses solely on Machine Gun Kelly’s performance in ‘Nerve,’ offering a humorous and unexpected take on the movie. Don’t miss this entertaining distraction!
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