Countdown

Countdown contains a pinch of light humor, a scratch of predictability, a touch of romance and a lot of nerve-racking disturbances. Centered on an app that predicts the exact moment of each user’s death, the film appeals to viewers who enjoy a bit of unsettling skin crawl and delivers the goods just in time for this week’s holiday.

In typical horror fashion, the story begins harmlessly enough at a high school party with kids just joking and poking around in a modern day ouija board scenario. As the app becomes popular globally, the results aren’t as predictable as the premise suggests. The film actually has some welcome surprises and jewels sprinkled throughout, and even manages to address workplace gender equality as well as sexual harassment.

Even more impressive is that its uncomfortable content brings its characters closer to loved ones — and gets viewers thinking along the same lines. If you enjoy demons and sunshine sharing the same field, go see Countdown.