Haze (I) (2016) User Reviews

It was engaging enough to keep me interested the whole way through

[djgali21 · 6/10 · 18 August 2019]

When I rate movies, I do so purely on how entertained I was. I have no investment or knowledge of Greek life, aside from living a block away from a few frat houses back in college. I don't really care how true to life it was, I'm sure it isn't, but as a work of fiction alone, I though it was very watchable and enjoyable.

The production value was actually pretty decent, the acting wasn't as bad as you would expect, it's actually above average compared to low budgets films like these. I was surprised that I cared about some of the characters and their arcs, which is something I don't expect in these kinds of movies. I've seen a couple other frat movies, including "Goat," the Nick Jonas one, and I would recommend this over that.

Good move killed by terrible ending.

[itsoferrall · 5/10 · 4 September 2019]

I'm not going to spoil this but I enjoyed the movie all the way until the end. I literally had to rewind it twice to make sure it was actually the end and my movie wasn't skipping and cutting off the ending. The ending was that bad that I though it was a glitch.

Disgustingly inaccurate

[lexilee-46278 · 1/10 · 25 September 2018]

I'm a current member of a Greek organization and this is completely inaccurate and overly exaggerated. Our school forced us to watch this because we are required to attended one anti hazing seminar a year. How is this supposed to stop hazing? Instead this movie is a horrific misrepresentation of Greek life. It's supposed to be a scare tactic but instead it made people so disgusted and angry with how the movie described Greek life. Hazing has been a problem but I believe there are many other ways to present it. For example, showing a scene where pledges are to kill the house's dog? That is absolutely appalling. Showing a girl getting raped by a frat guy? Disgusting. This is in no way a good educational tool. Find another way. There are many schools, like my own, who have a no hazing policy and it has prevented all hazing on our campus. They do a great job of keeping everyone in check. Also, why would I want to harm my future sisters? I only want to show them love and care not harm and humiliation.

Very unrealistic

[nicholerb-24189 · 1/10 · 6 January 2018]

I gave this movie a shot and actually enjoyed the first hour or so. But it got so unrealistic after that it almost became unbearable to watch. I would NOT waste my time watching this if I were you. And then at about 1:40 they kill the dog. Totally disgusting and unnecessary and just down right sick. The whole scenario is gut-wrenching and horrific. Apparently it was for the shock factor. But if that was the point then there's no discussion necessary - if this is actually happening then people need to be locked up. Period. I turned the movie off, and will never watch it or anything by this writer/director again. Sick, disgusting, and I'm horribly offended.

Realistic Depiction of Greek Life

[rexano · 10/10 · 22 September 2017]

I think this film captures the realities of Greek Life and hazing today incredibly well. All you have to do is read about what just happened at Penn State to see the horrific hazing that goes on today. I know first hand that this happens almost exactly as it appears in the movie. Reviewers who don't think that it's accurate have had a very sheltered, narrow experience in my opinion. But I'm happy they were not hazed the way so many people are all over the country are. It's an epidemic, and getting worse. This movie sheds a light on it. Everyone in Greek Life or people thinking of joining a fraternity or sorority should see HAZE. Plus, it's just an awesome movie - very entertaining and intense.

About half accurate

[bigskyibizans · 4/10 · 29 August 2019]

I was in a sorority while in college and was a little sister in a fraternity. I know for a fact that most frats hazed. A lot has changed and there are numerous new ways to torture someone. So I agree with most of what Haze portrays regarding pledge hazing. BUT the sorority participation in their hazing is pure fiction. The portrayal of the sorority hazing is also fictitious. Something that is always overlooked in any of the movies about fraternities and sororities is this. THE primary function of any Greek organization is philanthropy. Yes we partied. But we also raised thousands of dollars for our philanthropy. The fraternities helped us and the sororities helped the fraternities. Just thought I would bring that up because it's never portrayed in this movie or any other like it.

Seriously captivating Indy feature film with great story line and engaging characters

[pbrosmer · 10/10 · 11 March 2016]

I've had the opportunity to see HAZE on the big screen twice. It's gritty, captivating, funny, sexy, misogynistic and appalling all at the same time.

This is a great full-length ride through the rituals of "Greek" college life. A sophisticated screen-play tells the story of two brothers at odds with each other over pledging to a fraternity known for egregious hazing practices and the films voyeuristic-like point of view makes you feel like you're watching as a fly on the wall while all the debauchery goes down.

People will be talking about this one!

Over-Exaggerates Modern Greek Life

[dannyared · 2/10 · 19 September 2017]

Completely over-exaggerated for this decade. Greek organizations know the consequences they would face if they hazed nowadays more than ever and are constantly reminded through all forms of media. This movie depicts fraternities and sororities to be only organizations of bad apples when in reality there may be one or two, which would not be able to haze like that because other members to step in and stop them. It does make one think twice before hazing but does not represent modern Greek life and the current forms of hazing.

Tone-deaf

[LBarlane24 · 4/10 · 25 March 2024]

Before I get into this, I'm going to bring up the infamous Netflix film, Cuties. Why am I bringing it up? Because that is a film none of you are ever gonna get out of me! For obvious reasons, it ain't worth my time, nor my dignity!

The point I'm making is that this and the latter have one thing in common, they practically glorify the subjects they claim to be denouncing! This movie could've executed its premise in a more subtle fashion. But instead, it is chaotic, brutal, and in your face every 10-seconds!!!

I read one review saying that it was "well made", which I beg to differ! I've seen better cinematography in a found footage movie. As for the editing, it is atrocious! The hazing scenes are so brutal that the whole thing comes off as t0rture p6rn!!! You rely this heavily on shock-value, then the message you're trying to send gets lost in translation!!!

All-in-all, Haze is a cheap exploitation film that condemns hazing while simultaneously glorifying it; I'd rather watch a video on the DARK WEB than sit through this again!!!

Terror

[mrbgoode-1 · 8/10 · 18 February 2020]

Good job of capturing the terror of some hazing. For those that say this does not represent modern frats, there have been 41 hazing deaths since 2000, with at least one each year. Imagine how much overall hazing that represents. I didn't mind the ending.

A well-made disturbing look at the dark side of Greek Life

[StefanGural · 10/10 · 19 October 2017]

I worked as an extra for this film a few years ago. So when I heard it was finally being released and showing at a theater near me, I jumped at the chance. I honestly didn't know what to expect when the lights dimmed and the show started. But I can say now that this film is simply incredible. Based on Greek mythology, the film blends elements of modern life and ancient myth into a captivating story everyone needs to see. The acting, the writing, the filmmaking, the editing, and even the score all work together flawlessly to create something truly amazing. Everyone should see this film. And not just those who pledged for fraternities and sororities in college.

Frat Boy Review of HAZE

[MoovieManiac · 9/10 · 15 September 2018]

I am a member of the largest social FRAT in the US. I thought this film was Awesome and coming from a man who was on both sides of the Hazing as a pledge and a several year member I would say this is as close to REAL as I have ever seen. In my humble opinion about 70-80% of what was depicted was spot on. We never physical touched (slapped, punched) a pledge, the real hazing is psychological. Greek life is not for everyone with less than 10% of campus populations in Greek and every year becoming less relevant mainly due to pledges deaths which are Always Avoidable!

Interesting, Captivating and Enjoyable Film

[kbraxton-85145 · 10/10 · 5 January 2018]

I thought the film was very well written and very good acting. Kirk was wonderful as the lead. The storyline was very real and you felt as if you were there. Looking forward to Part II of the film. It ended leaving you wanting more.

Captivating and Thought-Provoking

[uretskyme · 10/10 · 22 May 2016]

Haze is the most memorable movie that I have seen in years. It is gripping, captivating, and thought-provoking. The film does an amazing job addressing societal issues in a realistic and engrossing manner. The storyline is deep, layered, and captured my interest from the beginning to the end. It is amazing to see the character development throughout the movie. Incredibly, everyone that I saw the film with related to the characters in different ways.

This is the only film that I have come across that delves into the realities of fraternity hazing. While it is clear the movie takes the viewer on a journey into the world of college Greek life, it also engages the viewer in the larger issue of "what it means to belong". The film leaves the audience members grappling with the significance of belonging and the impact of the need to belong in our society.

For me, this film is a clear 10/10. It is one of those rare films that you continue to think about long after viewing it.

Spot On

[sisilovesu · 8/10 · 8 April 2018]

The only reason I didn't give this a ten because it was so hard to watch it made me queasy at times and I could probably never watch it again but this was completely spot on. I have never been a part of a Sorority but I have seen what goes on behind the scenes of a Fraternity and have seen girls getting filmed that didn't know it (I tried to say something but they were too drunk to care) and have seen people being made to do some of these humiliating things. I still feel sick from this film but it was a good reminder that this kind of stuff still happens because I otherwise had pushed it out of my mind. Excellently acted and done. I forgot I was watching a movie.

Can't stop thinking about this film...

[urbanhatsandboots · 10/10 · 29 January 2018]

I'm not one to review a film but clearly this one has me still thinking about it two days later. I felt so many emotions while watching this movie that I seriously felt like I was in the room with them experiencing everything that they were experiencing. The main character Kirk was phenomenal and perfect for the part.

I haven't been affected by a film in a long time and I commend the director for making it feel so real and the actors for being so relatable. I hope there is a second film for the ending has me wanting more!

Dark, twisted, and real(but really enjoyable)

[dcastellani · 8/10 · 16 March 2020]

I stumbled upon this film while looking for a fun frat movie like animal house or Van Wilder. What I found was far from those two movies but I don't regret the watch. The movie is a very interesting look into topics such as brotherhood, abuse, and how much a person can take. The movie does a good job of demofying fraternities hazing traditions, but also shows the value of brotherhood all be it in kind of a twisted way. One film you can compare this to is GOAT. Both tackle the same subject matter and truly encapsulate you in the film. This movie is a little less dreary than Goat but in my opinion definitely the more twisted. As a person that's experienced fraternity hazing first hand I can tell you that it can be a vicious cycle. Stuff that you will see in this movie does happen at schools all over the country, and it will keep happening. That cycle I talked about has a chain that will never break. It is a sad reality but it is the true. Personally my 4 years in my frat were the best of my life, but I do have to say that not everyone is cut out for it. I don't mean people who aren't big partiers, or legacies, or anything like that. Being in a frat means you have 100 or more brothers for the rest of your life, but some people don't need that. I will wrap up by saying this. I loved my time in the fraternity and wouldn't trade it in for the world, but if you find yourself in a hazing situation and you think you're going to be seriously hurt in some cases even killed just remember that your life is not worth some "playful hazing". A fraternity always wants they're pledges alive when they are initiated.