Pig Masks and Funeral Wreaths: Watch “Whatever it Takes”
Whatever It Takes is a true crime documentary that investigates the stalking and harassment experienced by Ina and David Steiner, a couple of e-commerce reporters, at the hands of a seemingly vengeful eBay seller. When law enforcement gets involved and begins tracing the source of the threats, what unfolds is more elaborate than anyone suspected. Whatever It Takes is one of those documentaries that pulls you in with your jaw dropped. What the stalker puts the Steiners through, and what the ensuing investigation reveals, is this wonderful combination of shocking, puzzling, and absurd.
The documentary is constructed incredibly well as the narrative flows seamlessly through an entangled internet web. Whatever It Takes starts small scale, interviewing the couple involved along with the officers of their small town, before gradually introducing more characters and elements as the scale of the story grows. What also adds a lot of value throughout is how the film thoroughly covers the backstory of the Steiners and eBay, as well as how it illustrates the story of the website in parallel to the scheme against the Steiners. That extra level of context is great when this otherwise simple caper turns into a connection-heavy white-collar conspiracy.
There are these great moments of suspense in the film where it feels like anything could happen and you’d believe it. There are also some bleakly humorous moments where a central thrust of the film is that these nefarious characters are also deeply naive, petty, and overconfident in their plot to silence these otherwise well-meaning e-commerce reporters. It’s also very informative, and you walk away having learned a lot about eBay; The place it held in the early internet, its rise to prominence, and its ongoing downfall. Whatever It Takes is a very balanced documentary when it comes to tension, investigation, and levity. The film will be an overall great watch for anyone who likes more bizarre true crime stories.
The Alberta premiere of “Whatever It Takes” at CUFF.docs took place on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. Tickets are available for purchase for the rest of the festival at www.calgaryundergroundfilm.org.