Tonight’s psychological horror-thriller was an unexpected little number that asks that age old question; “What would you do if an unhinged magnate offered you life-changing cold hard cash to debase yourself and others in a dark game of ‘Would You Rather’?”
Halloween film #21 is Would You Rather.
With a diverse cast featuring Oscar-nominated June Squibb, veteran cult actor Jeffrey Combs of Re-Animator (1985) fame, ex-adult film star Sasha Grey, and John Heard AKA Kevin McCallister’s dad from Home Alone (1990) — and enough tension and B-movie antics… I highly doubt you’ll be bored. Produced by and starring Brittany Snow from the Pitch Perfect film series.
Crazy rich guy and his minions gather up a bunch of willing participants desperate for money for a fancy dinner party — they slowly debase themselves and the games go from psychological to physical lickety-split.
As you can imagine — egos are tested, booze is consumed, electrocutions abound, razor blades enter the picture, ice picks get plunged, one big old ominous barrel, amateur dentistry, the Juiciest Steak this Side of the Mississippi, explosives, attempted getaways, firecrackers… and a sleazy son.
The performances carry a script that seemed to be one rewrite away from being something beyond the expected. Such a good premise — and as surface-level entertainment… pretty delightfully macabre. Remake? Reboot? Sequel?
Anyhow… Jeffrey Combs in particular knows how the fuck this is done. He’s had some training in this department:
Re-Animator (1985)
Temper your expectations. This isn’t a thoughtful, meditative piece. Subtly ain’t the name of the game. And the fun and cheesiness get ratcheted over-the-top more than a few times.
Genre cinema on full display.
Logic and established rules are played with in a way that undermines the picture on more than a few occasions, that said — once again, there is a film franchise buried somewhere in this.
It’s engaging as all get out.
Not for the light of heart – at times a bit too indulgent of violence… and one scene in particular is the scene I hate in almost every horror film that tries too hard to be shocking and if you’ve seen enough horror films you know what I’m talking about.
Let’s end on a positive note: It’s pretty good! Surprise! The circumstances and moral dilemmas escalate in a slightly paint-by-splatters way, but totally acceptable!
As a midnight movie with a friend and a couple of beers — it does the trick.
Could have been a meditation on the US health care system — trotted dangerously close to having a socially relevant message.
It speeds by at 93 minutes.
Currently streaming on Netflix.
One solid dollar and sneak a Coke in.
Recommendations for further viewing: Intacto (2001), Saw (2004), Hostel (2005), Get Out (2017)