Death Count (2022) Poster

(2022)

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3/10
An underwhelming and highly problematic entry in a divisive genre
kannibalcorpsegrinder7 August 2022
Awakening in a demented dungeon, a group of people find themselves chained in a cell and forced to endure a nightmarish game on social media to garner the most likes to earn their freedom, and the more they stay in the cell find a connection to their host that triggered the situation.

This was a pretty disappointing genre effort in the style. The main feature that works quite well here with the genre's standouts is the highly impressive and brutal gore featured here. The various traps and games that are played here where each of the characters are forced to undergo a series of self-mutilation and disfigurement to get their likes across serve this incredibly well with a plethora of brutal and incredibly vicious sequences. With characters having their heads explode, breaking out into sores from exposure to gas, chopping their fingers off, smashing hands with hammers, and other types of scenes throughout here, the bloodshed here is quite effective within here as the game takes place deeper into the film. This effectiveness and brutality are enough to raise this up quite enough despite being the only factor to like here. However, there are several issues here that really drag this down. The main issue here is the film's overall style and approach taking yet another stab at a derided and underwhelming genre with the whole setup of the internet game forcing people to mutilate themselves through torture. It's a setup that comes across as rather pedestrian and underwhelming from the very start, made all the more ridiculous with the laughably unimposing controller that takes one of the most ludicrous means of trying to seem threatening yet is quite problematic. That becomes even worse when the whole reasoning for their confinement and the forced nature of their game just provides a laughably underwhelming and disconnected feel that gives everything one of the least reasonable means for torturing others in the genre which is rather distressing. Combined with an ineffective and inept police investigation that speaks to its low-budget roots with how it zips by the normal means of an investigation, these all manage to hold this one down.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Violence, Graphic Language, and Brief Nudity.
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5/10
What you should expect
jordan224024 May 2023
All you really have to know to rate this movie is that it has Michael Madsen in it. He's one of those actors who fell into the abyss and will be in anything that he can get a paycheck for. That said, he's usually the best actor in the cast, and that's no exception here. Nonetheless, the main female character isn't bad, and I could see her doing something of a more serious nature. 'The warden' performs acceptably as well. Most of the others are comically bad, but that adds to the entertainment value of the film, as does the gore.

This is not high art, but it provides enough gore to keep it entertaining for fans of gore horror (of which I am one). I've seen other movies of this genre that try to concentrate on storytelling, and they are miserable failures.

So go into this with expectations of what a movie titled 'Death Count' would be, and you likely won't find it a complete waste of time. I've seen far worse.
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2/10
It's Murder
Jblum511 December 2022
Death Count tells the story of 8 people who are captured and forced to play a game to try to survive. There is a B plot following the police trying to stop the game.

This film features some of the worst acting I have ever seen in my life. Many actors look like they are reading off of que cards or put no emphasis or emotion into what they are saying. Acting vet Michael Madsen was equally as bad as any of anyone else. Completely phoning in the rule as a flat stereotypical cop.

Outside of our lead, the characters are mostly all extremely stupid, vulgar and/or a meat bag. It's hard to root for any of these people. Sarah French as #3 may be the only exception for this movie.

The film is also very cheap, the shots look cheap. Most of the special effects are so bad the camera cuts away immediately. It was very apparent they had no money to make this. Some of the violence is creative/gruesome but overall it's so cheap that often times I ended up rolling my eyes.

Overall the movie is so cheap, unoriginal with acting you would expect to see a middle school play. It is not worth your time frankly.
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1/10
Awful.
Dodge-Zombie20 July 2022
Some of the worst acting, scripting and camera work I've seen in a long time. Special effects that really aren't special.

If this is what people are watching then I should take up acting.

Anyone who is rating this movie highly is either involved in it or being paid and straight up lying.
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1/10
No redeeming qualities
terrencepatrix24 July 2022
I got about 40 minutes into this movie before I couldn't take it anymore. It's bad. I don't mind the torture/gore genre but there has to be at least an attempt at a story and there isn't. It's just people being tortured via subpar special effects, horrible dialogue and seemingly no point. The acting is also some of the worst I've seen in quite awhile.

Don't bother with this one.
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1/10
Terrible Horrible How did this get made?
oldgabeh24 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Honestly is Michael Madsen even there? He seems totally removed from the whole thing.

Acting is pathetic story is crap and will never be like the Saw franchise.

Insult to horror movie buffs wont even call it a movie.

Save yourself the horror of watching this rubbish.
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2/10
And then there were
nogodnomasters10 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Eight people who know each other from the same school are all chained and locked in separate cells. They are being shown live online. The Warden (Costas Mandylor) demands that they inflict wounds upon themselves. The person with the least amount of "likes" is killed. Bad news, Michael Madsen is investigating.

This is like a combination of "Saw" and the Russian film "Dizlayk" both I thought were more enjoyable. The film had some gruesome scenes, but was boring. The characters didn't reach the bar. If you are watching for Robert LaSardo, don't blink.

Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.
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1/10
Save your time and money.
johnweller-1639724 July 2022
Not well made at all, poor in every way imaginable. I wish I did not watch this, this has all been done before just way better.. A little research to find that this is a film that was obviously funded through indiegogo, because no one who is legitimate in the industry would give their money to this production company Mahal Empire. Horrible.
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1/10
Death Count is a great name for a mindless movie
oiltrader19 July 2022
Watched the first 10 minutes and this doesn't even cut it for a B horror movie. Acting was lame, effects were cheap, etc etc.

Can't say enough bad things about the whole storyline.

Who wrote the script??? A fifth grader could do a better job.

Meanwhile, please steer clear and save yourself the agony and use the time to watch more interesting gore like The Babysitter.

Nuff said.

DK out.
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8/10
A must watch for Saw fans!
skinnerramone19 July 2022
Death Count is a must watch for Saw fans! Starring Costas Mandylor from the Saw franchise, who is excellent as "The Warden", Death Count also features stellar performances by Michael Madsen, Robert LaSardo, and Sarah French. This movie is chock full of kills, from start to finish, featuring awesome gory practical effects. Death Count is not for the squeamish or faint of heart. If you like the Saw franchise and brutal, gory kills, you're going to love Death Count!
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6/10
No bore and a lot of gore
kat_hill19 October 2022
Inspired by Saw and featuring Detective Hoffman himself (Costas Mandylor) Death Count has quite a stacked cast including Michael Madsen, Devanny Pinn and Robert LaSardo.

Death Count certainly isn't breaking any barriers in terms of originality with this idea of people kidnapped for their transgressions and made to repent through gory means.

It's torture porn at its finest and gore for the sake of gore with an added inclusion of tech and the Warden (Costas Mandylor) who is employed to run the game. Death Count weaves the story well as we find out the link between all the characters and nothing feels forced.

The film does kind of fly off the rails in the third act and becomes a little bit ridiculous but it's certainly never dull.
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1/10
Embarrassing and laughable on nearly every level!
PutneyTrope9 December 2022
Abysmal. This film makes Nine Dead (2010) look like an absolute masterpiece. Easily the worst of the chained up in a room films. No story at all and incredibly cheap. The villain looks like he walked in from Land Of Doom (1986). Upon seeing his getup, I was convinced this might be a parody of sorts. Nope. If you are a fan of Michael Madsen...you may be disappointed. Madsen exhibits a stellar example of "phoning it in" that doesn't even qualify as acting. His paycheck was likely the biggest part of the budget and not money well spent. I mentioned that there is no story. They don't even try to tell any sort of story. Vague hints are dropped but nothing is explained, even in a skeletal manner. It's literally a string of tropes unconvincingly stitched together. Chained up people mutilate themselves at the behest of a mysterious villain. That is the story. Idiot detective characters pad the run time. I'm aware that it's a common and lazy insult to say a movie seems like it was written by juveniles. This one genuinely feels like it was written by and for sixth graders based on Saw tropes. The one positive? The practical gore effects were occasionally serviceable. Sure, some were of the "squirty kinfe" variety....but the effects department, in general, seemed to at least try. It's still not enough to recommend this film except as an example of how not to make a movie.
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2/10
Jeez louise
audreybeaman27 May 2023
All i can say is now we know why there's a teacher shortage. 🤷‍♀️

Really though they call this acting? Best line was "he'd say three times two times nothing" or something like that. The "cops" are actually probably somewhat like the real cops in how they are on the job, though.

This movie is the most modern cheesy movie Ive seen. Didn't know stuff this bad passed the level of student film anymore.

Seriously, its like none of the actors have ever been in pain before. They severely underact with regards to being injured. I have nothing else to say other than watch this if you want a good ol' 21st century chuckle.
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1/10
Before watch drop your brain
bugan-6867613 December 2022
I have never ever seen such a bad illogical movie. Who wrote this movie ? And why people acting like primary school students ? And end full of illogical. Some part of good just a %1 percent maybe. Just because remind you saw things. Do not watch do not spend your time for this trash. As I said you have to leave your brain behind. It was torture. Thanks for the writer and director you got trashest movie in whole year. Keep doing same movie. Wasting time. I don't know what to say more. Just don't watch it thanks me later for this. If you respect yourself don't give tolerance like this creators..
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2/10
Saw-stel?
awwatkin19 June 2023
This movie seems to want to be a cross between Saw and Hostel, but is no where near as good as either. The overall story isn't bad, but the execution of it just seems to fall short. Michael Madsen has an unexplained eye injury - maybe it was real? - but they never even mention it, he's just got a bandage on his eye throughout the whole movie. The 'bad guy', who is called The Warden, has this weird metallic thing over once of his eyes, presumably to disguise him, I suppose, but none of the characters know who he is, so it seems to be more of a persona than anything else. Some of the makeup FX aren't bad, but apparently when you cut yourself with a box cutter, there's no mark left, just a lot of blood. I've seen some people comment on the acting - a lot of the acting is good, but there's a lot that isn't. It's quite the mix of acting ability. They sort of hint at a sequel at the end, but that is the last thing we need.
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1/10
What a stinker
fluffchop18 December 2022
What a stinker this movie is. You can just about tell it's going to be horrible when it comes up with the first writing. That company makes trash all over the place. Sure enough then we see the cast and it comes up with Michael Masden. Warning look away because this is going to be a crapfest. So it starts and sure enough the longer it goes the worse it gets. Ultimately you just have to call it and say this is just really bad and you should turn it off. But no you proceed. It's just awful. The "story"? Is awful. It's just gross more than a horror. Just some sick stuff for the sake of it. You can imagine the people that enjoy this actually going hell yeah this movie is great. It's just a total stinker of a film.
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1/10
Just Horrible
fmarano-510279 April 2023
Probably some of the worst acting I've seen, and grade D .. SpclFX , I'm just happy it was free on Tubi and I did not pay for it. I think the story could of been OK but the actual execution was terrible, you can definitely see there is Zero budget. I am usually a big fan of low buffet horror but this is just bad, I have actually tried to watch this twice turning it off after about 20 min. And trying again later, the acting is what kills this film, it's bad, beyond bad. It's crowd funding gone wrong where anyone with a few hundred dollars can be. "featured" actor/ actress, I would seriously look for another title because this just plain stinks.
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8/10
Fun gore fest!
LazyLobbyist30 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
People are writing reviews like this is a multi-million dollar movie. It isn't. It's a B horror movie - and it's fun!

A few spoilers:

Sarah French does a wonderful job as the "heroine." Devanny Pinn has an awesome death scene - loved it! Robert LaSardo isn't in it nearly enough, but does a great job in his brief appearance. Michael Madsen has been better...but Costas Mandylor turns it on and steals the movie.

Lots of gore and gross death scenes. Some brief nudity, too.

Grab a drink, some popcorn, and enjoy the movie.
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10/10
Worth a watch!
johnsonfl714 March 2023
This movie had it all! Strong female lead acted brilliantly by the super talented Sarah French who is following in the foot steps of the final girls like Jamie Lee Curtis! If you liked the Saw franchise, then this film should be on your indie horror movie list not to miss! Great use of practical special effects that make you squirm in your seat! Movie had a twist at the end that the audience won't see coming. This movie is everything that indie horror is getting right. Leaves you wanting more, and big applause to Sarah French, and all the cast! Go check it out on Tubi or Amazon Prime! Worth it!
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10/10
Sarah French
mrjohio121 July 2022
I watched this movie last night and was blown away with Sarah's acting! She brings this movie to the top with her acting skills. She's such a great actress and doesn't get enough credit for her rolls. I watch a lot of movies but mainly horror films like this one, she doesn't disappoint with this movie. There's also a little surprise "for the boys" towards the end, you will be very pleased!!! Awesome flick!
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10/10
Let the count begin...
shagee797719 July 2022
I know summer is around the corner when I get to watch a popcorn fun loving movie. I got my screener to review "Death Count" from The Mahal brothers and was so excited.

It gets rite to the point with a group of 8 strangers shackled in separated in cells. Nobody knows why or how they got to be in this situation. Each cell is equipped with there own monitor to record there every move. They are part of a live stream show "And Then There Were". There is all types of horrific weapons that they will be forced to use or die. Oh there will be blood flowing.

They find out soon enough what the sadistic wicked warden. He is dressed in armor it what appears to be a demonic Monks Robe. They quickly find out what he has in store for them. Just like real life it's all about the likes. Without likes your nothing and not popular. But in this world without likes you will die a gruesome death. It will be the ultimate game of survival, with the one who can withstand and endure the longest.

Fear and reluctance of course is the first reaction from the would be contestants in this insane game. But this host quickly shows them what happens with defiance. Blood is quickly poured out when heads explode, showing the survivors this is no joke. The Warden is magnificently played by Costas Mandylor, who delights in this role. The contests now know they have explosives devices implanted in there necks. Explosives that will be detonated if things don't go according to plan or the sick rules laid out. Craziness and gore quickly arrive as contestants do the most bizarre and horrific things to themselves to stay alive.

One contestant stands out from the rest. Rachel played by Sarah French. She is amazing in her role and tries to figure out things before it's to late. From the opening scene she takes control. She does find out they all work in a nearby school. But can't put her finger on why would somebody go through the lengths of this horrific obvious game of revenge against them. As things start becoming clear and possible reason for this things take an even more gruesome and bloody result.

With all this going on we have B movie legend Michael Madden, playing Detective Casey. He is trying to figure out what the heck is going on after seeing the livestream. He even makes a quite amusing reference to the Saw Franchise.

The production value here is amazing. A great well developed story with amazing actors really make this a fun watch. Robert LaSardo even in a situation likes this commands every moment to perfection. He is always amazing to watch and always turns in a memorable performance. Kimberly Cole Zemke has a very memorable torture scene with great FX. Always fun to watch. Devanny Pinn has one of the most demanding parts in the movie and after watching you will agree. Wesley Cannon, BJ Mezek, Denny Nolan and Dave Shecter all play great contestants and have great memorable lines with equally memorable scenes. There profession as teachers really play well with the setup put before them.

It's a dark movie but beautifully filmed and great sound. It's visually stunning. Moves at a great pace. Gorehounds will not be disappointed and while there is reference to the Saw movies, those producers should take note. This is the way to make a slasher flick. You will not be disappointed and The Mahal Brothers (Sonny Mahal and Michael Mahal) keep proving they are one of the best in the business in genre movies. They don't cut corners and deliver quality entertainment with every movie.
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10/10
Death Count
vitocassa15 October 2022
What is just as impressive is the fascinating way in which the affair combines numerical, literary, and sonic clues which may aid in the contributors' survival in the second half of the fiction. The quickness and unpredictability with which most of the cast gets slaughtered in the mesmerizing first act is just as noteworthy. Such measures create a welcome balance to the more routine beats of the composition. It also makes the endeavor far more palpable in the nerve-shredding anticipation it brilliantly builds.

From a technical perspective, the work is equally stalwart. The cinematography from Su and music from Scott Glasgow is atmospheric and immersive. I especially enjoyed the incorporation of the fitting track from Psycho Synner, the Jeremy Spencer and Shawn McGee penned "The Torture Never Stops" (2021), during the enthralling end credits. Moreover, the editing from Jeremy Wanek, costume design by Joe Lujan, sound, makeup, stunts, and effects are all outstanding.

Also identified as Numbers, Death Count is a scrappy, in-your-face midnight movie. It isn't as groundbreaking as the features from which it derives inspiration. Regardless, it will assuredly please those of us who are always frantically searching for a stellar dose of grueling cinematic terror. A Mahal Empire, Mezek Films, and Blaen-Y-Maes Bootleg Films production, Su's exercise is twisted fun. It's also one of the best genre undertakings of the year.
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9/10
Indie Horror Done Right
cartrektccom13 November 2022
I've seen a couple of movies now from the Mahal brothers and each time I was expecting something "blah" and each time was surprised in a positive way. Obviously, going forward, I should probably expect more and set my expectations higher when I see their name attached.

To start with, I'd like to state that I am reviewing this as a low budget Indie movie. Obviously, compared to multi-million dollar franchises such as "Saw", this one has quite a few rough edges. However, comparing it to other similar low budget movies, this one is an absolute gem and could well develop a cult following like "The Toxic Avenger" or "The Evil Dead" or other similar low budget classics.

Without spoilers, the basic synopsis of the plot is that a group of people all wake up to find that they have been captured and individually imprisoned by an unknown captor calling himself "The Warden". The rules are simple. Their plight is being transmitted live onto a website where their very survival is dependent on getting votes and "likes" from all the viewers of the website.

On the face of it, one might expect that this would be a simple and predictable gore fest. Certainly, if that is what you are looking for, you will not be disappointed. Given the extremely limited budget, the practical effects are phenomenal. Don't get me wrong. It is clear that some of the injuries and expected body count are all practical effects. However, except for a couple of weaker ones, most are solid and believable and compare favorably to much higher budget productions.

However, the movie proves to be much more than just a body count and develops into quite a clever storyline. There are a few points where the audience is "led down the garden path", so to speak, only to have our expectations overturned with several intertwined "gotcha" reveals. The ending does not play out at all as might be expected for this genre of horror but it is entirely satisfying nonetheless and definitely leaves the audience with an "Ooooh" moment and wanting more. The plot also askes some very deep questions about society in general and our desire to watch the misfortune of others and both be disgusted and entertained by it simultaneously.

There were some great acting performances from everyone and some well utilized actors we would all recognize. The show stealer was Costas Mandylor (yes, from the original Saw movies) in his role as The Warden. His delivery was spot on in his depravity and callousness. Sarah French also put up a solid showing and mostly helped to drive the plot from the point of view of all the victims / captives. Robert LaSardo was also on his game but possibly under-utilized. Michael Madsen was convincing as a detective investigating the ongoing race against the clock to save the victims. However, his was perhaps the least convincing character in context of the plot (as I will mention in a moment).

Was the plot perfect? Of course not. I felt the beginning of the movie was too rushed. Many of the earlier deaths and gore happened far too close together. I feel spacing them out with more storyline would have helped immensely to build tension and the audience being vested in all the characters. After the first 10-15 mins, the pacing settled where it should have from the beginning so we could learn the back stories and motivations of the characters. Also, while the main plot was happening, the side plot was the police investigation. Although I felt Madsen was believable as a detective and delivered his lines well, I was not convinced by the actual investigation itself. The police did not seem serious enough about the actual urgency of trying to "beat the clock" and save the captives.

Minor gripes aside, I feel this movie checked off all the right boxes. The gore was appropriate and, although shocking, not as sickening as the "Terrifier" series of movies. The acting and practical effects were mostly solid. The storyline initially developed predictably but threw in sufficient curve balls to keep the audience entertained. The movie could have benefited from being a little longer with more storyline. However, this is a solid offering from the Mahal brothers and am glad I got the chance to see it.

If you are squeamish, this movie is probably not for you. However, if you love a good dose of gore with your horror, this one is a lot of fun. Well done!
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9/10
As Michael Madsen fan this was beyond disappointing
greg-2953515 December 2022
Reservoir Dogs is one of my all time favorites and Madsen was incredible in it. To see him in this absolutely stinking pile of dung is just depressing. Terrible script, worse acting, and gore effects that looked like a middle school film project. The "costume" of the villain looked like really cheap cosplay, I was waiting for it to just fall apart. But to my surprise it didnt. It is shocking that a movie with such a stupid plot and script could get funded, but I guess it didn't get much funding since all the actors were legitimately terrible. And there must have been no money for the fx. The scene of the burning man was laughable...
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