“NFT: Cursed Images” follows seven friends who face the deadly price of greed after receiving a cursed NFT collection called Crypto Horrors.
Right from the start, “NFT: Cursed Images” isn’t trying to be anything but itself. The film understands its somewhat “gimmicky” nature, capitalizing on the crypto craze through a horror lens. It’s immediately cheesy, and it has to be.
A Gimmick with Teeth
But surprisingly, it also has something else in store for genre fans: scares.
Even though they’re often short-lived, “NFT: Cursed Images” features multiple genuinely unnerving moments. Michael Edo Keane’s colorful cinematography and Jeff Blank’s screaming score heighten the tension.
Whether it’s something lurking in the background or a classic jump scare, the film consistently finds ways to unsettle.
The budget restraints do affect the horror. Many of the kills cut away at key moments, which may disappoint viewers looking for carnage candy. Still, “NFT: Cursed Images” delivers flashes of brutality. The film shows torn limbs and blood-soaked settings, but it’s the buildup to these images that truly works.
Blending contortionism with pixelated CGI, the film crafts simplistic yet memorable “NFT antagonists.”
Amid the horror, the movie also has something to say. It offers abundant dialogue about the economic climate, generational divides and cryptocurrency culture. Some of it lands. At times, it doesn’t.
“NFT: Cursed Images” can be too on the nose with its messaging. Characters discuss these issues in stereotypical fashion, often over-explaining in the process. Especially early on, the film becomes an exposition hub for these themes. The dialogue plays as comedic given how the NFT craze has faded since the story’s 2021 setting, but the information overload makes the ultimate message feel surface-level.
When Commentary Clashes with Carnage
As a low-budget indie production, not everything in “NFT: Cursed Images” works. Technical imperfections – particularly in the editing and sound design – stand out at times. Sharp cuts and minor audio inconsistencies pop up, though they remain brief and forgivable.
As a whole, writer-director Jonas Odenheimer brings a cohesive identity to the screen.
“My team and I wanted not only to create a ‘gateway horror’ that would be a good entry point for a younger audience member into the scary movie culture, but also a movie that is relatable to an entire generation whose main worries became their financial future,” he said.
After opening with its full ensemble, “NFT: Cursed Images” almost shifts into a sizzle reel that is similar to the approach of “It Chapter Two.” That sequel remains divisive, but the structure works here. Even when the film grows repetitive, it stays entertaining.
This is largely due to its brisk 73-minute runtime. The movie blends strained relationships, jolting scares and a humorous premise into a fast-paced experience.
Starring in the film are David Wayman (James), Mariah Nonnemacher (Cass), Durassie Kiangangu (Dan), Amelie Edwards (Sarah), Nobuse Jnr (Nes), Jasmine Clark (Julia) and Patrick Shearer (Kit).
It’s also fun to see a brief cameo from Joe and Drew of the #StruggleNation YouTube channel.
A Risky, Open-Ended Finale
Avoiding a traditional conclusion, “NFT: Cursed Images” may frustrate with its finale. It leaves future events open to interpretation and positions itself for potential continuation. That ambiguity creates an incomplete feeling.
Had it taken a different route, “NFT: Cursed Images” could have easily become a laughingstock – much like NFTs themselves. Instead, it makes genuine attempts at scares while carving out a unique, hyper-modern horror niche.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
“NFT: Cursed Images” releases on digital platforms March 6, 2026.
