Break the Game shows a brutally honest first-person portrayal of Generation Alpha’s relationship to the internet, but it doesn’t have much new to say on the subject. It’s the kind of documentary that feels almost immune from criticism because of its deeply human observations, and what it says about the youth’s sense of community and belonging. Still, the film’s thesis on this matter essentially boils down to “internet equals good and bad”, and one can’t help but wish it was more nuanced than that.

At least director Jane M. Wagner has a unique way of telling the story within her directorial debut. “Screen life” movies – or, movies that take place entirely from the perspective of a phone and/or computer screen – have been a shiny new toy mostly in the horror genre, but Break the Game uses the gimmick smartly because of the context of its story. Between the screen captures, Wagner inserts some cutely rendered 16-bit graphics to supplement the story. The subject is Narcissa Wright, a Twitch streamer/YouTuber who gathered a mass of fans after setting world records for speed running video games.

But after Narcissa transitions to a woman, she sees her popularity dwindling and the haters come out in full. The bulk of the film shows the potent mix of Narcissa’s adoring fans and virulent trolls, and how each can wildly affect one’s mental health. Strangely, Wagner doesn’t delve deeper into Narcissa and what led to her transition, nor does she slow down long enough to vocalize how these hateful comments have led to her isolation.

Indeed, there’s a fascinating push-pull at play within Narcissa, something which is all too common for young adults and kids who find solace on the internet because they struggle to make connections in the real world. The film’s beating heart lies in Narcissa’s relationship with a fellow streamer and trans woman named Alex, who displays genuine fondness for Narcissa throughout the highs and lows.

Breaking the Game will occasionally make connections between Narcissa’s newest gaming obsession – 2017’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – and her own personal journey of identity, but it’s a connection that could have been made stronger. It doesn’t help that Narcissa’s default mannerism is a muted monotone, in stark contrast to the psychotic bros shown exploding at the announcement of the aforementioned Zelda game. Breaking the Game works best as window into not just internet culture but in the ways we seek connections and friendships, and it’s an intriguing start to the career of Jane M. Wagner.

Break the Game will have a special screening at the Kan Kan in Indianapolis on July 30 at 7:30pm. Tickets can be bough here.

OSCAR POTENTIAL:

• None.