Synopsis

At an elite boarding school, Owen and his friends invent a serial killer called "The Wolf" and spread the story online as part of a deception game. When a real murder appears to match their warnings, the prank spirals into paranoia. As suspicion moves through the group, Owen must determine whether someone has turned their fictional killer into a deadly reality.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film was developed from Jeff Wadlow and Beau Bauman's winning entry in the 2002 Chrysler Million Dollar Film Festival. The prize provided a $1 million production deal with Universal Pictures.

• The screenplay was described as a modern take on the fable "The Boy Who Cried Wolf." The production used the title "Cry_Wolf" in its marketing and onscreen branding.

• The film was Wadlow's feature directorial debut.

• Principal photography took place in Virginia. Cafeteria scenes were filmed at Collegiate School in Richmond.

• AOL collaborated with the film's marketing campaign because instant messaging is central to the characters' scheme. AIM users could interact with a promotional game modeled on a hidden-role or "Mafia"-style game, receive movie information, and participate in contests and polls.

• The movie's low production budget was estimated at $1 million, while its worldwide theatrical gross reached approximately $32.6 million.

• The special-edition DVD included deleted and alternate scenes, casting footage, a set-design featurette, and the short films "Manual Labor" and "The Tower of Babble."