We Should Have Known: #CharlieCharlieChallenge Was Viral Marketing for a Horror Movie

The viral social media trend, the #CharlieCharlieChallenge, was actually a marketing ploy and not a legitimate way to summon a Mexican demon.

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

When the #CharlieCharlieChallenge floated up through the sea of social media last week, we had a lot of questions: Why are teens doing this? Didn't we raise them better than this? Also, why is the demon being summoned Mexican (and named Charlie)? Wouldn't a Mexican demon be more likely to show up at your home apropos of nothing? Maybe watch a little TV and later ask you for a ride to the supermarket? 

It turns out, the answer to all those questions is: We should have known better. We all should have known better, because the #CharlieCharlieChallenge is part of a viral marketing scheme to promote new-age horror movie La Horca, or The Gallows in English. You can see the teaser itself above, but it's barely even ten seconds long.

It also looks exactly like every other #CharlieCharlie video we've already seen, except for the fact that it's devil red to signify it's a horror movie and you should be scared. Subtle, guys!

It's official—everyone can pack it up, we can all go home now. Except for you, teens, you can go back to doing your homework. No, seriously, go do it now. We'll talk about this tomorrow.

[via ONTD]

Latest in Pop Culture