Watch Tickled

Tickled is a documentary film that explores the world of competitive endurance tickling, a bizarre subculture that has amassed a large online following. The film, directed by New Zealand journalist David Farrier, delves into the strange and unsettling world of tickling videos and the battle between those who create them and those who participate in them.

The film begins when Farrier stumbles upon a video online advertising for young men to participate in a competitive tickling tournament, promising free travel and a cash prize. Farrier, intrigued by the strange nature of the competition, begins to investigate further, contacting the company responsible for the videos and attempting to gain access to the tickling events. However, he soon finds himself the target of a series of intimidating emails and legal threats, igniting his curiosity even more.

Farrier, joined by his co-director Dylan Reeve, sets out to uncover the truth about this niche world that has remained hidden for so long. As the documentary progresses, the viewer is taken on a journey into a world of power, control, and manipulation. Interviews with former participants in the tickling videos reveal a disturbing underbelly to the industry, with young men being lured into participating, only to find themselves trapped in a world where they are controlled by an unknown entity.

The film's exploration of the tickling world brings to light the disturbing power dynamics that exist between the ticklers and ticklees, with the ticklers often exerting excessive control over the ticklees, both physically and financially. Farrier and Reeve probe deeper into the industry, uncovering connections to an individual who appears to be at the head of the entire operation, a shadowy figure who remains elusive throughout the film.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Tickled is its examination of the online world and the anonymity that it provides. The film exposes how easy it is for people to hide behind fake identities and manipulate others without fear of consequence. Farrier's investigation leads him to uncover a web of fake social media accounts, emails and websites, all designed to protect those behind the tickling industry and prevent the truth from coming to light.

As the film unfolds, the sense of tension and unease increases, with the filmmakers becoming the targets of harassment, intimidation, and legal threats. Farrier's dedication to uncovering the truth leads to a shocking climax that will leave viewers questioning the morality of those involved in the competitive tickling world.

Tickled has been praised for its ability to take a seemingly ridiculous subject matter and turn it into a compelling and thought-provoking documentary. The film raises important questions around issues of consent, power dynamics, and the impact that online anonymity can have on individuals. Despite its dark subject matter, the film is skillfully crafted, with moments of humor and lightness interspersed throughout, preventing it from becoming too heavy.

Overall, Tickled is a fascinating and unsettling exploration of a world that most viewers will be unfamiliar with. Its themes of power, control, anonymity and deception make it a compelling watch and a thought-provoking piece of filmmaking. Farrier and Reeve's dedication to uncovering the truth is admirable, and the documentary serves as an important reminder of the dangers of those who seek to manipulate and control others for their own gain.