"Would You Rather" Plays a Fun and Deadly Game
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| Would You Rather (2012) |
Often times the most effective method of writing a story is to keep it simple, and Would You Rather is perhaps the most simple yet effective horror movie I have seen in quite some time. As explained from the title, Would You Rather centers around a group of people playing the popular game, in which they are made to choose between two unpleasant and difficult decisions in a brutal and horrific competition to win the fortune that will help them out of their own individual struggles. The film balances our sympathies between its protagonist, who is struggling to raise her younger brother who is dying of cancer, and the other competitors in the game who all have their own heartache and challenges which the money would help them overcome. Of course, only one person can win the game, and as it carries on it becomes doubtful that many people will leave the home in one piece.
Typically when one imagines a horror movie centered around a game which can become as vicious and horrific as "would you rather" one can't help but expect a horrific and graphic film, but that is hardly the case here. There is little to no blood seen throughout the film, if at all, and instead all of the horror is purely psychological as audience members cling to their seats in awe and hope that their favorite character makes it through the next round of questioning. In instances of violence the camera typically jerks in the other direction, leaving the gore and bloodshed to the audience's imagination, which oftentimes has the tendency to be far more graphic and effective than whatever sort of imagery makeup artists would be able to conjure up.
Perhaps the one downfall of Would You Rather is its restraint. While I hardly expected a film as over the top and repulsive as something from the Saw franchise, it would have been nice to see something with more terrifying decisions being made and more moments which linger with you haver the film. Instead the movie opts to be shocking in a somewhat safe manner, in a way with frightening scenes that only scare you until the movie is over, then you're free to go about your day without paying much mind to what you just watched. Personally, I would have preferred to have at least one or two more disturbing sequences which might linger with audience members and leave them considering what they would do in that situation and how they would handle themselves if they were desperate enough to be seated at this table of strangers all being forced to choose between two very unappealing decisions.
Violence is not the only way that Would You Rather is restrained. Its color palette is dull and muted, oftentimes ugly and unappealing, though this only helps the film better communicate the grimy and disgusting nature of the game being played and is hardly a reason to dislike it. The ugly filter only serves to assist the film in being as uncomfortable as possible. Restraint is also used in its soundtrack, which is barely existent at all and instead offers tense and long silences as the camera swerves from person to person while characters rapidly make their decisions as a timer ticks, warning them that they had better make their mind up quickly or else they'll be removed from the game altogether.
While I wouldn't say that Would You Rather is a phenomenal film or a fantastic example of a horror movie, it is a good example of what sort of scares are possible with a simple premise and a low budget. It is currently available to watch on Netflix and I highly recommend it.
Typically when one imagines a horror movie centered around a game which can become as vicious and horrific as "would you rather" one can't help but expect a horrific and graphic film, but that is hardly the case here. There is little to no blood seen throughout the film, if at all, and instead all of the horror is purely psychological as audience members cling to their seats in awe and hope that their favorite character makes it through the next round of questioning. In instances of violence the camera typically jerks in the other direction, leaving the gore and bloodshed to the audience's imagination, which oftentimes has the tendency to be far more graphic and effective than whatever sort of imagery makeup artists would be able to conjure up.
Perhaps the one downfall of Would You Rather is its restraint. While I hardly expected a film as over the top and repulsive as something from the Saw franchise, it would have been nice to see something with more terrifying decisions being made and more moments which linger with you haver the film. Instead the movie opts to be shocking in a somewhat safe manner, in a way with frightening scenes that only scare you until the movie is over, then you're free to go about your day without paying much mind to what you just watched. Personally, I would have preferred to have at least one or two more disturbing sequences which might linger with audience members and leave them considering what they would do in that situation and how they would handle themselves if they were desperate enough to be seated at this table of strangers all being forced to choose between two very unappealing decisions.
Violence is not the only way that Would You Rather is restrained. Its color palette is dull and muted, oftentimes ugly and unappealing, though this only helps the film better communicate the grimy and disgusting nature of the game being played and is hardly a reason to dislike it. The ugly filter only serves to assist the film in being as uncomfortable as possible. Restraint is also used in its soundtrack, which is barely existent at all and instead offers tense and long silences as the camera swerves from person to person while characters rapidly make their decisions as a timer ticks, warning them that they had better make their mind up quickly or else they'll be removed from the game altogether.
While I wouldn't say that Would You Rather is a phenomenal film or a fantastic example of a horror movie, it is a good example of what sort of scares are possible with a simple premise and a low budget. It is currently available to watch on Netflix and I highly recommend it.
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