ESCAPE ROOM (2019)

Directed By: Adam Robitel 
Written By: Bragi Schut & Maria Melnik 
Story By: Bragi Schut 
Cinematography: Marc Spicer 
Editor: Steve Mirkovich 


Cast: Taylor Russell, Jay Ellis, Tyler Labine, Logan Miller, Deborah Ann Woll, Nik Dodani, Jessica Sutton 

Six strangers are given mysterious black boxes with tickets to an immersive escape room for a chance to win tons of money. Being locked in several rooms with extreme conditions, they discover the secrets behind the escape room and must fight to survive and to find a way out.

Is it possible for a horror film to just be cute? This one might count as one. While it is better then anyone truly expects it to be.

This is an enjoyable film even though if you are a seasoned horror fan it is made up of parts of movies you have seen before like The SAW sequels, THE COLLECTOR, THE GAME, THE BELKO EXPERIMENT, HOSTEL 2, and CUBE. Only in a of-13 rated package. Using the best bits of each movie.

The film becomes more over the top and ridiculous as it goes along, but you are ready for the ride. While it does try to come off as smarter then it actually is

The film is stylishly set up and directed.

Logan Miller is one of the stars who at this point is always cast as the wisecracking kind of assholish character who is usually the friend of a main character. He and the other actors are who helps make the film work. As they are all likable and work well together.

One of those elements is the alpha male character. Who seems like the knowledgeable natural leader who slowly goes crazy and becomes The survivors worst enemy.

We all know most likely who will and won’t survive even if the film likes to keep us guessing. While having a very pretty cast of recognizable faces. It also offers a kind of conspiracy tale at the end. Which feeds into the audiences beliefs and thoughts. As the film heightens the audiences fear if an regular pastime or game. Making it a nightmare terrifying scenario.

As the characters learn what they have in common and each room seems meant to remind at least one of them of their past. Where they must put aside their lives differences and come together to work to escape. As each seems to have a designated role that they Play into.

This is just good entertainment with the right amount of tension and disbelief. Where it is a nightmare scenario but you also have a constant disbelief while watching it.

The film is exciting, silly fun that is more mainstream and is easy in the violence even though it has a heightened sense of it. While being high on suspense. So that all the elements work just enough. As the film never feels angry or Malicious at the audience or the characters.

By the end the organizers behind this escape room come off like the Terrorist group COBRA on G.I. JOE. As the film delves deeper it also is obviously set up to get deeper and continue as the start of a franchise.

Grade: C+