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Directed by David Guy Levy and written by Steffen Schlachtenhaufen, Would You Rather, is a cool psychological Saw-inspired movie that I just happened to stumble upon on Netflix and thought I’d give it a go.
Would You Rather explores how far desperate people will go for a once in a lifetime prize in order to change their life.
The story opens with Iris (Brittany Snow from Pitch Perfect and John Tucker Must Die) struggling with bills and her ailing younger brother Raleigh (Logan Miller) who has leukemia. They are introduced to a seemingly philanthropic billionaire named Shepard Lambrick (Jeffrey Combs- Re-Animator), who offers Iris the chance to compete to try win a game at a dinner event he is hosting. A competition in which if she wins his charitable foundation will pay for Raleigh’s treatment and find a bone marrow donor.
At the dinner party there are a number of other hopefuls all wondering what they have to do for this life changing opportunity, all seemingly good hearted people, barring maybe one or two but all grateful for the chance. That is until the “would you rather” games begin.
“Saw” at the dinner table is what soon becomes of this sit-down party as things start to get grisly.
The cash-desperate dinner guests are forced by their maniacal host to commit horrible acts upon one another. The winner receiving a huge pile of cash for their troubles, and the recipient’s agony.
Would You Rather is an admirably suspense thriller about eight innocents trapped by a bloodthirsty billionaire. While the movie is most certainly twisted, it won’t necessarily please those looking for lots of gore. Instead, it’s clever and reminiscent of Saw while not really exploiting too much blood and violence.
If you’re curious about social experiments and the choices people make when pushed, or have a hankering for some distressing situations, then give Would You Rather a watch.
WICKED RATING: 5/10 [usr 5]
Title: Would You Rather
Director(s): David Guy Levy
Writer(s): Steffen Schlachtenhaufen
Stars: Brittany Snow, June Squibb, Jeffrey Combs
Year: 2012
Studio/ Production Co: Periscope Entertainment, Social Construct
Budget: (unknown)
Language: English
Length: 93mins
Sub-Genre: Thriller