Director: Jeremy Saulnier.
Starring: Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Alia Shawkat, Patrick Stewart, Joe Cole, Callum Turner.
You know those films like Wrong Turn and Cabin Fever where youngsters venture too far and end up on someone menu? Well, this isn't like any of those. Though the premise is kinda there, it's a dark, intense, serious film of people being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A touring amateur punk rock quartet appear to be scrounging for exposure and gas which leads them to a nazi camp out in the sticks. They play their offensive gig and get paid but unfortunately bare witness to something they shouldn't have seen. Everything goes south, real south from here. It's sharp, gritty and ultra-brutal and what makes it darker is that it's believable. It's about survival, life threatening decisions in situations going from bad to worse. We clock the night away with the band locked up in a back room trying their absolute, panicky best not to end up as dog meat. There's a taste of Deliverance with a Panic Room relationship between prisoners and captors and an incredibly chilling Patrick Stewart who's calculating calmness adds to the eeriness of the movie. Young Star Trek's Chekov, Anton Yelchin does a brilliant scared hamster in a cage, threatening heroics only to saved by Nazi band roadie Amber superbly played by Imogen Poots. Jeremy Saulnier direction is amazing, capturing the tense atmosphere and creating an almost neon darkness that David Fincher would be proud of. Saulnier regulars brothers Brooke and Will Blair compose a chilling ambient score that reminds me of bands like Hammock or MONO. It's a great contrast with the punk rock and increases the suspense greatly. It's a great movie from start to finish and Jeremy Saulnier certainly lives a scar for viewers to remember. Undoubtedly a cult classic. Unpredictable, thrilling and entertaining.
Running Time: 9
The Cast: 8
Performance: 8
Direction: 9
Story: 7
Script: 7
Creativity: 8
Soundtrack: 8
Job Description: 8
The Extra Bonus Point: 5 for dark and sinister Patrick Stewart. That Voice!
77% 8/10
