Synopsis
A band straying into a secluded part of the Pacific Northwest stumbles onto a horrific act of violence. Because they are the only witnesses, they become the targets of a terrifying gang of skinheads who want to make sure all the evidence is eliminated.
Review
If I were locked in a room with a murderous Captain Picard on the other side of it, I'd be scared too. Even if I were Chekov.
I won't spoil anything here, but really there is little to spoil. The synopsis pretty much covers the events of the film. A band are set to gig in a remote location, and upon arrival find they are to play to a group of neo-nazis. They witness a death - presumably a murder - and become, shall we say, expendable.
On paper, this has none of the hallmarks of what it becomes. Sir Patrick Stewart (Robin Hood: Men in Tights)? Imogen Poots (Need for Speed)? Mark Webber (Scott Pilgrim)? Anton Yelchin (Terminator Salvation)? This reads like a fantasy-football cast for a family movie. Yet is one of the most brutal horror movies you'll see.
The late (and very missed) Yelchin plays to type as the young, idealistic, musician. He, and the band, are wide-eyed, and terrified. Very much off type is Stewart, who leads his band of murderous thugs in taking down the only witnesses to a crime. And, sure, it sounds like a thriller.
But this is horror.
Written and directed by Jeremy Saulnier (who is responsible for the bonkers Murder Party), sleights his hand deftly over the proceedings. The tension builds to near unbearable levels, the gore is shocking, and the film down right frightening. All in 95 minutes.
If you want comparison, look no further than the gut wrenching Eden Lake.
The film is largely small location based, and better for it. It's claustrophobic. Taut. It will leave you hollow. This is no popcorn horror. This is one for the hardcore horror fans to get scared over.
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