Would You Rather (2012)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Extremely good horror/thriller about a woman (Brittany Snow) and eight others needing financial help out of their problems and agreeing to take part in a "game." This game turns out to be the title where the sadistic host (Jeffrey Combs) makes them select whether to hurt themselves or others playing the game. If you've seen the Vincent Price film HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL, about a contest held inside a haunted house where the survivor wins, and if you mix it with SAW then you pretty much end up with this movie. In fact, comparing it to SAW might not be fair because while this film is very intense, you'd be surprised that most of the violence takes place out of view and the images you build up in your head is what makes this so effective. Don't get me wrong, there's certainly some blood but the point of the movie isn't torture but instead to ask yourself what you'd do in this situation. There's so much that works about this film but director David Guy Levy does a fantastic job at building up the atmosphere as well as the tension that goes behind each of the games. There are times where you'll be holding your breathe waiting for something to happen only to have the chair pulled out from under you. Another thing that makes this film work so well is that the performances are excellent. This includes the eight players, the sadistic host and his helpers. I really loved the performance of Combs here because that calm, cool and collective nature is just so chilling and you can't help but feel how evil this guy is. Snow also makes for a believable tough girl who you can believe throughout the film. John Heard, Sasha Gray and June Squibb are also extremely good in their parts but you won't be let down by the entire cast. As a horror fan, it's really a shame so many awful movies get wide releases each year while something like this sees a few select theaters. This film certainly deserves to be discovered because it's a real gem.
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Extremely good horror/thriller about a woman (Brittany Snow) and eight others needing financial help out of their problems and agreeing to take part in a "game." This game turns out to be the title where the sadistic host (Jeffrey Combs) makes them select whether to hurt themselves or others playing the game. If you've seen the Vincent Price film HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL, about a contest held inside a haunted house where the survivor wins, and if you mix it with SAW then you pretty much end up with this movie. In fact, comparing it to SAW might not be fair because while this film is very intense, you'd be surprised that most of the violence takes place out of view and the images you build up in your head is what makes this so effective. Don't get me wrong, there's certainly some blood but the point of the movie isn't torture but instead to ask yourself what you'd do in this situation. There's so much that works about this film but director David Guy Levy does a fantastic job at building up the atmosphere as well as the tension that goes behind each of the games. There are times where you'll be holding your breathe waiting for something to happen only to have the chair pulled out from under you. Another thing that makes this film work so well is that the performances are excellent. This includes the eight players, the sadistic host and his helpers. I really loved the performance of Combs here because that calm, cool and collective nature is just so chilling and you can't help but feel how evil this guy is. Snow also makes for a believable tough girl who you can believe throughout the film. John Heard, Sasha Gray and June Squibb are also extremely good in their parts but you won't be let down by the entire cast. As a horror fan, it's really a shame so many awful movies get wide releases each year while something like this sees a few select theaters. This film certainly deserves to be discovered because it's a real gem.