4/5
Written by Luke Barnes
Summary
In a dystopian version of Japan people from around the world compete in a game show called Slashers which pits real people against a series of killers in life or death games for big sums of money.
I enjoyed this film a lot. Many times I think whilst watching horror movies that I have seen it all before and that the genre has nothing left that can surprise me and then I watch something like this and am pleasantly surprised to be wrong.
I felt a strong love of slasher films emanating from this film as well as a love for Japanese culture and horror. Connections can be drawn between this and Battle Royale as the two share a fair bit of common ground.
The thing I liked most about this film was its knowing references to cliches and tropes within the genre, with one character, played by Sofia De Medeiros, going so far as to take her top off as to have better odds of surviving. I liked that the film played with genre and tried to do something fresh with it.
I found the characters to be compelling both contestant and slasher alike, I thought each had just enough personality to make them interesting and make you root for them.
My one complaint of the film would be that its message, who is the real monster those doing the slashing or those at home paying to see it, felt a little trite and played out and the film spends a bit too long on the morality of the genre rather than just aiming to have fun with it.
Overall, a wonderful surprise only slightly let down by a been there done that message.
Pros.
A love of the genre
A strong concept
Fun to watch
Interesting characters
Cons.
The message needs freshening up a bit
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Another Millennial Reviewer 