It's nothing like SAW. The only vaguely similar thread is that the victim must complete a series of tasks that continue to be more difficult. Other than that, they have nothing in common. It's not really a horror film, more of a psychological thriller. There are only a handful of films that have been successfully done in one setting with 2 characters; I include Bug, Open Water, & Scenic Route. But The Odds is more similar to EXAM (2009). I believe The Odds is about 2 people in a room who are both playing a game to win money and neither of whom know the real rules, although one of them thinks they know. I feel the Master was simply performing as he was instructed (some reviews say he 'took advantage' but it's called Grooming. The game was not 'rigged'; it seems more like neither the Player or the Master knew the true rules. I felt this was an interesting story but the acting lacked the tension and intrigue that it could have. The Player was just not someone we could connect with. And after agreeing to play the game, she then questions everything as if she is being held captive. She lacks either the emotion of someone being tortured nor the stoic demeanor of someone prepared to endure what may come. There was simply not enough anticipation or emotion to make the long moments rewarding. I also thought there were a lot of very rookie filmmaking mistakes, like the clean loose bandages (and suddenly dirty in one scene); and the Player's shirt was wet in one area then suddenly in a completely different area. All in all, I found the film entertaining enough to watch through to the end and thought the ending was rewarding, although very unrealistic. Almost a character-study that could have been much more engaging. I can see why the story itself won The Poe Contest.
61 Reviews
Hmm nothing new here
edwardrevans14 July 2021
This movie is a poor mans EXAM or a Poor Copy of the Killing Room. It starts off well but then as it tries to ratchet the tension it goes off on it's own little illogical tangent. The movie never really concludes to a satisfying ending either, it's like we have run out of ideas to torture this young lady and have no idea on how to end the story. The Odds had protentional but blew it in the final act.
Trying to be deeper than it is!
tarajwilkinson11 July 2021
This started off fairly promising but boy did it get dull fast! By the time it was half way through I was skipping forward as I'd stopped caring and just wanted to get to the end!
It was trying to be very clever, psychological and deep but (with my limited medical knowledge) I couldn't help feeling the main girl recovered from assorted torture methods rather quickly!
It was trying to be very clever, psychological and deep but (with my limited medical knowledge) I couldn't help feeling the main girl recovered from assorted torture methods rather quickly!
Somehow, This Movie Is GOOD
payasoingenioso29 January 2021
This one room film with two actors stays enticing. The thrill and gore are on Alfred Hitchcock - unseen. The plot is straightforward, and, honestly, the protagonist is a bit slow.
Yet somehow, this movie is on point. Even though it could have been better, all involved worked magic with so little.
Yet somehow, this movie is on point. Even though it could have been better, all involved worked magic with so little.
Mediocre & Unconvincing
ru_thaker3 August 2020
The acting of the female was disappointing in that she was a bit dramatic & unconvincing. Thee whole role playing thing was absurd. What got me the most was given the excruciating pain of the torture, she continued with the role playing & in parts, you'd never know it had happened. The agony & aftermath of would leave you unbelievably weak, sedated almost & whimpering & screaming continually. It was like, after the torture act, she as over it very quickly. Silly. So it was unconvincing. Along with the acting.
Way better then expected!
bear-0099730 June 2022
Great lead actors. Tense psychological film
Jester2229 June 2019
This wasn't what I was expecting at all, I was pleasantly surprised. I expected a saw type torture porn film but it is more psychological, tense.
Yes it has a couple of toe curling scenes but it's never gratuitous.
The two leads are remarkable and the tension rises. Kept me gripped until the very satisfying end. Which is rare for me.
A simple one room set, two actors (mostly) and I recommend you all give it a watch.
Far better than most.
At least a half hour too long
WermhatsWormHat15 February 2021
As a regular gambler and horror fan I wanted to watch this. Its mostly just a graphic torture movie but it still somehow gets pretty boring at times and drags on way too long. Still, for two actors in one room the whole movie, they did some decent acting and I really liked some of the themes and quotes from the film about money and odds and hardship etc. Smart writing in some parts and the ending payed off for me. I'll give an extra point above average for the lead. Her bra should win an oscar for best supporting actress
Boring, annoying
oskarneuburger29 September 2020
Boring unsypathetic characters doing annoying things. The way this movie presents itself is that the "challenges" are the main component, but they are quick and underwhelming, in between long boring annoying scenes of the main characters doing boring annoying things.
Instead:
If you want gore: Saw
If you want a horror movie about a game, for money: would you rather
Neither of those are perfext movies but are much better than this 2 hour waste of time
"Odds" are you won't finish this movie
zanies-878388 September 2019
Satisfying low budget suspense with torture porn
vasiln26 June 2019
Woman plays a game showing how far she is willing to self-harm for a million bucks. Film is almost entirely about her interaction with the referee.
This is probably as low budget as anything-- basically one setting, two speaking characters, most gore is insinuated rather than shown, might have been filmed over the course of a week or less-- but they do a good job with the budget by making those choices, and while it might have a late-night Showtime feel to it, it's at least just a B-movie, not a C-movie; production values are still high.
As I said in the title, this is basically a suspense film, about character interaction, although there is some torture porn to it. The gore is mostly off-screen, but if you don't like gore, stay away. Character interaction is with a cookie-cutter misogynist, and I'd be willing to bet there are some deeply individual misogynists who would resent the portrayal; I guess they should probably stay away as well.
Acting is strong, but character writing is on the two-dimensional side and serves narrative convenience over strong characterization. It's no Streep vehicle. Still, good enough for this film.
I suspect some of the reviews here are from shills, people involved in production, but this isn't a bad film, acceptable for what it is, although very far from high art.
This is probably as low budget as anything-- basically one setting, two speaking characters, most gore is insinuated rather than shown, might have been filmed over the course of a week or less-- but they do a good job with the budget by making those choices, and while it might have a late-night Showtime feel to it, it's at least just a B-movie, not a C-movie; production values are still high.
As I said in the title, this is basically a suspense film, about character interaction, although there is some torture porn to it. The gore is mostly off-screen, but if you don't like gore, stay away. Character interaction is with a cookie-cutter misogynist, and I'd be willing to bet there are some deeply individual misogynists who would resent the portrayal; I guess they should probably stay away as well.
Acting is strong, but character writing is on the two-dimensional side and serves narrative convenience over strong characterization. It's no Streep vehicle. Still, good enough for this film.
I suspect some of the reviews here are from shills, people involved in production, but this isn't a bad film, acceptable for what it is, although very far from high art.
A Big Metaphor
paolineba4 March 2022
I think most people didn't get the point of the movie, I mean my interpretation is that this whole ''game'' represents a toxic relationship with gaslighting, abuse and manipulation. This is why they didn't focus that much on the gory part but more on the psychological side of things.
What is this?
danielcereto5 June 2019
What a waste of time. This is an amateurish movie with no plot, sense or script. The whole movie is in a room playing a stupid game. The ending confirm how stupid is this. Avoid it. Go for a walk instead or look for another one.
Thriller more than horror. Not bad at all
Lotusflower11129 June 2021
The lead character is a woman who comes from pain abs a dark past. The storyline is that she involves in a game of gambling. The gamble is supposed to be if the participants will quit or move on the next phase, round. Apparently, each participant or player has a broker, and agent who will stay with them for whatever reason, to stay focused, to keep on going, not give up or to make sure the rules are followed. The participants (we assume there are several but see only one) are subjected to tortures that they need to endure. The acting was good, the lead was really good. She reminded me of the girl from The Hunt. Interesting movie. At least a different subject as the ones repeated so many times. I recommend it. Not an Oscar worthy movie, but quite a nice one. Entertaining.
Great Indy Horror
tpkrause111 February 2021
Amazing what creative people can do with two good actors and $250,000. The excellent writing worked on two levels; one, the actual plot, and two, to remind me of a few past sociopaths I've brushed up against. There was nothing that could have been better imo; was just a really well done 7 star movie.
mostly talk
lifelinespublishing17 November 2019
I was dissapointed with this film as it was really not that gory, I was hoping it would be gory and full of blood since the plot was for how much can you handle pain., but when I watched it., it was mostly all talk and less action in summary.
won't get into the details but Abbi who plays the game, did a good job in acting., sadly, I expected it to be sicker than it is.
dissapointed to say the least.
won't get into the details but Abbi who plays the game, did a good job in acting., sadly, I expected it to be sicker than it is.
dissapointed to say the least.
I kissed your boo boo
bridgettemctigue23 January 2022
This movie isn't terrible, but it isn't good either. I think it was okay for being kind of low budget, but it could've been better. For it being a movie about how much pain a person can take, most of the "tests" violence is off screen. The dialogue - oh man. I don't think it's meant to be funny, but it is. It's probably 30 minutes longer than it needs to be. That said, we had fun watching it.
waste of time
norouziashkan5 June 2019
Give this one a chance and see your yourself.
lindalorosco9 January 2022
I don't usually enjoy a film with a cast made up of just a few people. But this was a pleasant surprise. The acting was really good, and I loved that the gore was minimal - at least that which you could see - which only proves that the acting is what brought it all together. And the ending? Loved it!!
Pause at 1 h 39 mins 21 seconds mark
geeza20065 September 2022
If you pause it at the 1 hour 39 minutes and 21 seconds mark im sure there is at least 3 people in the back ground 1 sitting to the left of the table 1 just to the right of the table with a clip board and 1 too the right of the screen with his hands in his pocket, doww dont think they was meant to be there, ok i liked the idea of the movie although there is better versions out there, would you rather being one of them. Now put yourself in the womans shoes would you really put yourself through this torture knowing theres only a 1 in 20 chance of winning the money, i dont think so. Now put yourself in the mans shoes would you torture someone, be verbaly nasty and slap them about and give them a loaded gun, i dont think so. A generous 3 from me and thats for the idea alone.
Know what you're getting
dcj213 June 2023
If you're a gore-hound or formula-junkie, stay away, this movie is not for you. But if you like a more cerebral film with a side order of viscera, check this one out. Yes, it can be a little predictable, and the ending is not totally unexpected. But the script is overall quite strong, and you can find some deeper meaning if you want to look for it (eg, how some men manipulate women into staying in abusive relationships). If nothing else, watch and appreciate the performances from the two lead actors. You'll be hard pressed to find performances this strong in most other genre films. A solid outing for the right audience.
Achingly slow
bparker-6279113 March 2021
"What Would You Do For A Klondike Bar"
Kamurai2519 June 2021
Really good watch, would watch again, and can recommend.
Abbi Butler is amazing in this, a sort of paired down version of "Would You Rather".
Not only do the characters do a wonderful transformation through the movie, reminding me of a twisted double helix, but the idea of the physical lengths she goes to are fantastic.
If you're into horror-torture, then you've probably seen the "SAW" franchise, and "Would You Rather", and I don't think this will disappoint. It's not "Hostel", but there are definitely enough scenes that will either make you uncomfortable or uncomfortably happy.
Abbi Butler is amazing in this, a sort of paired down version of "Would You Rather".
Not only do the characters do a wonderful transformation through the movie, reminding me of a twisted double helix, but the idea of the physical lengths she goes to are fantastic.
If you're into horror-torture, then you've probably seen the "SAW" franchise, and "Would You Rather", and I don't think this will disappoint. It's not "Hostel", but there are definitely enough scenes that will either make you uncomfortable or uncomfortably happy.
"Very Pretty feet"
co677918 January 2021
Movie was quite good although I could see right through the situation early on.
The female actor was EXCELLENT right down to her pretty pedi!!!
This is not for everyone & I was very unhappy there was questionable closure..
Wife & I thought it was ok, it is more of of a emotional situation rather than a gorefest.
This in our opinion is nothing like any of the SAW movies.
Winter in the Northeast so its worth a watch in our opinion.
The female actor was EXCELLENT right down to her pretty pedi!!!
This is not for everyone & I was very unhappy there was questionable closure..
Wife & I thought it was ok, it is more of of a emotional situation rather than a gorefest.
This in our opinion is nothing like any of the SAW movies.
Winter in the Northeast so its worth a watch in our opinion.
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