Friends Face Fears in Sinister Game Night

Read Time:3 Minute, 58 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Stupid Games
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Genre: Horror, Mystery
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 26m
Director(s): Nicolas Wendl, Dani Abraham
Writer(s): Tanner Adams
Cast: Cass Huckabay, Alyssa Tortomasi, Gage Robinson, Saad Rolando, Ashwini Ganpule, Grant Terzakis, Larsen Deane
Where To Watch: streaming now for free on the app Mometu and will be going to other streamers soon

RAVING REVIEW: When a simple dinner spirals into an eerie night of surprises, STUPID GAMES twists the mundane into the macabre with style. This indie surprise, directed by Nicolas Wendl and Dani Abraham and written by Tanner Adams, crafts an evening that's anything but ordinary. It blends psychological exploration with supernatural suspense in a way that hooks viewers from start to finish.

In STUPID GAMES, the setup is simple yet effective: Jaxon, played with an edgy charm by Saad Rolando, gets roped back into contact by a past fling, Celeste (Alyssa Tortomasi), for a dinner that had more than meets the eye behind it. She insists he brings friends to balance the table with her roommates, Mia (Ashwini Ganpule) and the charismatic Riley (Cass Huckabay), setting the stage for a night that promises light-hearted fun. Jaxon's pal Rex (Gage Robinson) and the randomly recruited Stanley (Grant Terzakis) round out the group.

The film initially bathes in the glow of potential romance and light banter, only to plunge into darkness with a sudden power outage. Unfazed, Celeste introduces a board game that transforms the night into a sinister adventure. What begins as an ordinary game spirals into a gateway of demonic entanglements and psychological confrontations, blending traditional party antics with a dash of dark magic.

Directors Wendl and Abraham steer the plot from playful to complex as the night becomes a battleground where reality and supernatural forces collide. With each roll of the dice, the tension escalates, entwining the fate of the players with the creeping shadows that threaten to consume them.

The ensemble cast delivers performances that enrich the film’s tension and mystery. Rolando transitions seamlessly from a relaxed skeptic to a man trapped by fear, mirroring the group's descent into desperation. Tortomasi toggles between being a friendly hostess and a figure shrouded in secrets, while Huckabay steals every scene with a powerful and enigmatic performance.

Amidst its tight budget constraints, STUPID GAMES excels in creating an atmosphere of claustrophobia and suspense. Cinematographer Christian Klein plays with light and shadows to craft visuals that shift from welcoming to ominous, supporting the film’s mood swings. The subtle yet effective score by Darren Wonnacott weaves through the film, enhancing the sense of unease without overwhelming the central drama.

The film’s pacing is a deliberate slow burn build-up to a climax that blends psychological elements with visceral horror, culminating in a resolution that is as thought-provoking as it is chilling. The final act is a tightly wound sequence of events that holds the audience in a tight grip, showcasing the power of storytelling when coupled with a visionary directorial approach.

Sure, the film has its growing pains; all indie films do. Some of the acting is rough around the edges, and some dialogue feels unnatural. That’s part of the experience, though; these are passion projects by people who put their hearts and souls (literally) into creating worlds for our enjoyment.

STUPID GAMES proves to be more than just a horror film; it’s a testament to the potency of indie filmmaking. With a narrative that cleverly marries intrigue with the supernatural, the film stands out as a distinctive and memorable addition to the genre, appealing to both genre veterans and newcomers alike.

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[photo courtesy of V CHANNELS MEDIA]

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