Reminiscent, perhaps, of a domestic Hell House (with a smattering of torture porn), the story itself falls more into line with dark fiction. Without any long winded preamble, Would You Rather hits this sweet spot in almost every regard.
Either way, it’s definitely a movie worth seeing.When reviewing dark celluloid I’m always trying to find those accomplished gems that may have slipped through the cracks of the collective consciousness: films with small budgets but come equipped with a generous helping of sophistication that lifts it above current contemporaries. In the end, you can watch “Would You Rather” and ponder on the moral choices it throws at you-would you choose to hurt a complete stranger? Could you?-or you can just enjoy the ride. He has great fun with his character and gives an over-the-top performance without turning his character into a farce. Chief among them is Combs, who steals the show as the aristocratic sadist Lambrick. In addition, each actor treats the material with respect and brings life to their characters. Clocking in at 93 minutes, "Would You Rather" moves along at a crisp pace (although I would have preferred a little more character backstory in exchange of some unnecessary sub-plots such as an escape attempt by the diners). Much of the film takes place in a single dining room, which adds to the tension and claustrophobia. The game gets more and more violent, and players begin dropping out (i.e., they die).Īll this sounds like standard torture-porn material, but Levy and writer Steffen Schlachtenhaufen made a film that relies on dialogue and mood to keep the story moving, rather than gore and special effects. Then they have to choose between stabbing one player in the leg with an ice pick, or whipping another player across the back. They must choose whether to give themselves a shock, for instance, or to shock the person sitting to their left. Lambrick and his armed guards (as well as Lambrick’s slimy son) force the participants to choose who they will inflict pain upon. He offers the diners one last chance to leave (would you be surprised to learn that none of them do?), and the game begins.
Then Lambrick arrives and explains that his money will only be given to one of his dinner guests-the one who wins his little game. There’s a gambler (Robin Wells), an alcoholic (John Heard), and a goth chick with a sneer (former porn actress Sasha Gray), among others. Each seems to carry with them a large bag of problems and a strong need for Lambrick’s money. Iris is skeptical (wouldn’t you be?), but she doesn’t have a lot of options and eventually agrees to go.Īt the dinner she meets a group of others who have also been promised a chance at redemption from Lambrick. Her brother’s doctor introduces her to wealthy Shepard Lambrick (played by Jeffrey Combs), who offers to help her brother in exchange for her attending a dinner party he is throwing. She is drowning in debt and can’t seem to find a job. Her brother is suffering from leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant. “Would You Rather” stars Brittany Snow as Iris, a young woman in serious need of money.
Yes, there are some scenes that would be right at home in a “Saw” movie, but there is also some decent acting and a plot with just enough twists and turns to keep you interested. Rather than trying to make you squirm for 90 minutes, however, director David Guy Levy made a quiet film that simmers with tension. After looking at the cringe-inducing poster and reading the synopsis, I was prepared for another torture-filled exercise in frustration. 2012’s “Would You Rather” was a movie that took me by surprise.