Chattanooga Film Fest 2025 Review: Hacked: A Double Entendre of Rage Fueled Karma

A hacked family turns the tables in a comic-book-style revenge romp through Tampa’s wildest corners.

Hacked: A Double Entendre of Rage Fueled Karma – Cyber Revenge Goes Full Florida

★★★½☆ (3.5 out of 5)

By Travis Brown

Shane Brady’s Hacked: A Double Entendre of Rage Fueled Karma is exactly the kind of wild-card genre mashup film festivals are made for—funny, chaotic, hyper-stylized, and delightfully unhinged. Based loosely on a real-life hacking incident, the film plays like a graphic novel fever dream wrapped in comic-book panels and dipped in Tampa Bay flavor.

The story centers on a family who’s been scammed out of $20,000 by an elusive cybercriminal known only as The Chameleon—played with gleeful smugness by The Walking Dead’s Chandler Riggs. But rather than report it or roll over, the victims plot revenge. And not just any revenge: they bring in rogue cops, CIA agents, a Santa Claus played by Richard Riehle, and an ensemble of Tampa weirdos to deliver a night of karmic, rage-fueled chaos.

Tonally, the film is a blender of Happy Death Day, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, and The Purge—but funnier. The script is packed with cheeky meta-jabs and gonzo set pieces that turn what could have been a straight revenge comedy into a neon-soaked comic-book spectacle. Brady embraces the absurdity without hesitation, and somehow, it all works.

The Tampa setting is more than a backdrop—it’s a character. From Grouper sandwiches to recognizable side streets and social subcultures, Hacked proudly wears its regional weirdness. This is Florida filmmaking that’s self-aware, proud, and purposely over-the-top.

Some of the slapstick may push the edge of cringe for more grounded viewers, and a few comedic beats risk overstaying their welcome. But just when you think the movie’s veering off track, it swerves back in with a fresh bit, a new character, or another burst of absurd brilliance. The energy never dips for long.

With a strong cast that mixes recognizable faces with standout newcomers, Hacked keeps you laughing, guessing, and maybe even cringing just enough to appreciate the balance. It’s a festival favorite waiting to happen—and the kind of midnight movie that earns repeat viewings just to catch every layered gag.

Final Score: 3.5 out of 5.

Comic-book revenge meets Florida chaos in Hacked: A Double Entendre of Rage Fueled Karma—one of the summer’s most riotously entertaining comedies. It’s not just funny—it’s fun.