User Reviews

Just some observations mixed with questions to follow. I don't recognize most of these characters. The lead and her bestie's relationship seem plausible enough. Others however, don't feel like people that exist any place but in a movie. How and why are the antagonists here friends? The sniveling Gooch is completely and stupefyingly inept, getting owned every time by female characters, both enemies and allies, and he loves slapping his head... a lot. He's also easily the most helpless, hopeless character and the movie's (scape)GOAT! I won't bother much with the vaguely lesbian Kendra, and her butterfly knife(?) or the leader of the strangely insular trio Barrett, making(and looking)like an ersatz, young Kevin Bacon. Of greater concern is the linchpin event, at the heart of this story. Barrett is the highly privileged son of a congressman who trolls the streets in broad daylight picking up a familiar, but hesitant young girl, with his number one and two in tow? Really? Who thought this was a winning idea? You'll notice phones are like another character here. Things happen with them that are highly questionable, but convenient to the plot. Dermot Mulroney is on board, in a turn similar to the one he played in this year's Scream sequel, and the late Anne Heche plays his wife and she, well... see for yourself. The lesser known players are solid enough, but some say and do "iffy" things that detract from their performances. One scene has the lead girl, Eden intending to schmooze up to (Barrett) Schroder for reasons known to both, but when it's just the two of them alone, he's doing all the talking while she can barely wait to dispense with the small talk, cutting straight to the chase with all the finesse of Godzilla stomping through Tokyo! While this movie's third act is more interesting than what came before it, it's the clunky stuff that came before that holds it back, as a whole. I actually started this review while still watching the film. I was ready to give it 2 stars 30-40 mins in, before it continued to it's conclusion and I realized that it would be too harsh a judgment. It's simply not that bad, but it also, while competently assembled with a certain amount of flair, has character, dialogue and script/plot issues that keep it firmly in, "It's ok" territory.

This film does little to develop any of the characters, and the plot is basic rich/poor at a fancy school. Except the target is entry to an Ivy league school rather than to stop bullying.

So stock rich kids & poor kids engage so the poor one can finagle into a school that her poor friend has a full ride. Rich kids are standard rich kids with all the excess that comes with it.

Oh wait, the film starts wurh a missing girl!

What starts as a standard party to get ahead turns into a heist and hostage situation. All the wrong choices are made, all the obvious signs are ignored, and the revenge is served stupidly.

Oh well. Anne Heche filmed her part soon before she died. She looked as if she was ready to fall over intoxicated. Or she was reeling from chemo.

Tense only due to the stupidity if the characters.

Acting is ok. Cinematography is ok. Directing is meh. What is really bad is the writing. There so so many times where these people aren't doing anything that makes sense. The choices that are made are bad and illogical. It really is just super bad writing. The acting is ok though some performances were meh. Nothing ever felt scary. I am a HUGE horror movie fan and this was just horrible. It really felt like this was written by young people posing in horror. Do yourself a favor and skip this. It really is meh at best. Again, acting is ok. Cinematography is ok. Its the bad writing and maybe directing that makes this a hard pass.

There are bad movies because the plot is awful. Then there are movies where the plot is good but the acting is terrible. But then there are rare occasions when the acting is ok, the plot is ok, but the writing is so bad the movie feels like satyr the entire time. Everything that happens is either cliche or written by a 10yo. No wonder there is a writers strike, writing movies like this!l? I could do better and I can barely write my own name. If you want to see a bad B movie that makes you laugh because the characters do everything you wouldn't do? This is your movie. Full of cliches, the drunk girl, the weasel senators son, with the friend who is a constant F up, the hero girl who just wants to get into college and has to go to a party to get in????

Personally, I'd qualify this as more of a thriller, than a horror film.

But it does have an aspect of ultraviolence, that causes it to bleed into the horror realm a little bit.

The plot is simple, yet effective.

A couple of overachieving, yet underprivileged, high school girls attend a "heaven vs hell" party, thrown by the son of a US senator- with hopes they can get his father to write them a recommendation for the college they hope to attend, under a scholarship.

Though, one thing leads to another...when one of the girls finds a phone, with a disturbing video, featuring the son of the senator, his girlfriend, and his best friend...messing with a young girl- who has since gone missing- on the night she mysteriously disappeared.

Unfortunately, the phone dies before she can watch the complete video.

She does, however, see enough to suspect they had something to do with her disappearance.

So, when the group tries to force her to return the phone...she refuses to give it back.

Which ultimately leads to a wild series of unexpectedly ultraviolent events.

With the group plotting to get the phone back...by any means necessary.

The protaganess finds herself locked in a room with her best friend- who had been roofied by one of the boys.

But, as she tries to negotiate her way safely out of the house- with the phone- things start to get progressively worse.

Not to mention, more violent.

Cue the tension inducing action.

With one thing leading to another, the boy's elite, wealthy, and well connected, parents return...only to get roped into the whole ordeal.

Which now includes the father of the teenager, who has her heart set, on bringing justice to the young, missing, girl...even if it means throwing away her entire future in the process.

Though her friend isn't quite ready to make the same sacrifice.

Either way...the ending is saturated with jaw dropping tension, and packed full of action...fueled by a series of twists, you likely didn't see coming.

Thus, when all is said and done...there's no doubt you'll leave thinking wtf...how did it get to this.

With the journey being sure to both entertain and engage you.

Kudos to all the teenage actors, for some pretty tight performances (though I wish I could say the same for their parents).

As well as the writers/directors...for fashioning an incredibly simple, yet highly effective...and all around entertaining film.

While not as disturbing as films like The Incident, or Last Stop On The Night Train- it certainly gets the job they set out to do, done.

With the dichotomy they set up between the wealthy villains, and poverty stricken protagonists, really playing up to it's strengths.

So all-in-all, it's a pretty impressive first feature from director Beth Hanna, and second feature, for her partner Jerren Lauder (whose first film was last year's The Inhabitant).

Definitely give this film a shot, because it's certainly worth a watch.

5.5 out of 10.

What stuck with me about this thriller and made me want to comment is how well it balances the action thrills with the heady psychology as the characters end up going to balance. There is no certainly no lack of clever action bits, but whenever the characters are forced to outsmart or undermine each other, it gives the acting an opportunity to really stand out. That is even taken to the next level as Dermot Mulroney and Anne Heche enter the film, both at the top of their game as well. They make a great pair onscreen with really believable chemistry. And of course, it is definitely fun and moving to see Anne Heche shine.

This movie is a must-see for fans of thrillers that expertly balance action with psychological depth. The film keeps you on the edge of your seat with a series of clever plot twists, intense action scenes, and compelling dialogue that keep you fully engaged throughout. What sets this movie apart is how it seamlessly blends action and psychology. While there are plenty of thrilling moments, the real heart of the story is the characters' attempts to outsmart and undermine each other. This gives the talented cast, particularly Anne Heche and Dermot Mulroney, ample opportunity to showcase their skills and share believable chemistry on screen. Anne Heche, in particular, delivers an exceptional performance that really stands out. Overall, this movie is well-crafted and thoroughly entertaining, with a solid storyline that never drags on unnecessarily. Enjoy and watch this one. RIP Anne Heche.

A ridiculous horror movie made in 2023. The characters are all disasters. Each one is like a cartoon type. Acting cannot even be called an amateur. The subject has been done dozens of times. Ah ah ah, if you saw those action scenes, you would cry for the sake of cinema.

There's no reason why you shouldn't say "you're killing me" to yourself while watching this movie.

A rich boy is going to throw a party tonight. His father is an MP. A girl from the same school also asks this MP to make a big deal for a university. That's why she's joining this party. But he learns about a story that this rich boy is hiding.

There is no sex or nudity in the movie. There is nothing in the name of the movie.

Remember the Geico commercial where the teenagers are running from an ax murderer and they come across a running car and the one girls says ," why can't we just get in the running car". They of course decide not to get in the car and go hide right in front of the ax murderer. THAT'S THIS MOVIE!

The movie centers around a high school senior Eden Murphy who is trying to get into a prestigious college. But she needs a letter of recommendation from her classmate's father who is a man of influence. Her classmate doesn't really want to help her so she decides to attend a party at his house to try and get on his good side. This is where the "fun" starts.

This movie gives horror movies a bad name. It's just one implausible decision after another. But it goes beyond that. The story line is awful. I don't think I could s story this bad if I tried.

There's not one redeeming quality in this movie. Horrible script and laughable performances from the actors (but with a script is so bad I'm not sure the actors could do much).

Have you ever watched a movie and hoped all the characters would just die by time the movie ends - and in a hurry. That's THIS movie.

Save yourself the time and pick something else.

Have you ever watched a movie that was so bad that it made you physically angry? This is that movie. For some reason it was certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. The numbers had to be manipulated. There is nothing good about this movie. I don't know how anyone involved with this travesty watched the finished product and declared "yep, it's ready". The plot is a re-tread of much better movies (young woman gets hunted by a group of killers) but with terrible dialogue and even worse acting. It's sad to see Anne Heche (R. I. P.) who is clearly not all there and the usually solid Dermot Mulrony ham it up, and at the same time, phone it in. This movie could have been wrapped up in about 45 minutes and it would have been better. Most of the scenes seem to be dragged out to fill time. Do yourself a favor and skip this one.

This movie is so DUMB! The writing is so STUPID. Every plot point is CRAZY. Every character choice is so ridiculous and makes no sense.

Just when you think the acting could not be more over the top, or the writing could not get more idiotic...it does.

It is supposed to be about the power dynamics between the rich and the poor, but it is a joke. Everyone but the lead are horrible people.

I did not find the plot twists were not shocking, suspenseful ,or entertaining...it just annoyed me that people were so dumb, and made me mad the movie was still going.

Sitting through this movie was KILLING ME!

I didn't really know what to expect but I seen it with a bunch of friends and we all loved it. Lots of plot twists with intense scenes and good dialogue. The storyline was solid and didn't drag out unnecessary. Good talented cast as well that really made this film come alive. Anne Heche was brilliant and was exceptional in her role. This should at least be a 7 on here on honestly. The plot is about a party that Eden goes to hoping for a letter of recommendation for a elite university from her classmates wealthy parents. Things take a serious turn and the plot really thickens from there on in. Totally worth a watching, if your a thriller fan that likes plenty of plot twists this is the one for you.

This was a solid YA thriller and an easy watch, being not too complicated of a story while having some fun moments of action. The setting is limited, but it doesn't feel that way while watching. The house is a visually nice location and it's used well. While a good 90% of the story taking place in the house, it doesn't feel repetitive or boring to be caught in the rooms with the characters. The characters are decent, starting with some standard motivations. Eden (McKaley Miller) is faced with a conundrum when she accidentally finds a startling video that might be the key to a missing classmate's fate. She might not even be aware there is a choice for her, as she is the hero protagonist who only wants to do that right thing, even if it brings her - and her loved ones - into a dangerous situation. Her friend, Zara (Keyara Milliner), is her reluctant support, bringing a few comedic moments to the film through the party. Brice Anthony Heller does a great job portraying an unsettling Schroder, who leads the bad apples going after Eden. The subdued atmosphere of a chilly night was aided by the color grading, and the night scenes were enough to see while remaining dark. For being a lower budget film, the efforts were well-placed, and the final product is a film I don't regret watching. However, some areas I found lacking were the script itself (I think the execution covered it well, so fair enough), and the soundtrack (had good moments of score, though I found it mostly dull and forgettable). I would have liked it better if the party theme had been more pronounced in the presentation of costumes, and adding some more bits of humor before the darker action kicked in. A matter of personal taste, maybe! Overall, I enjoyed the film.

This was a horrible waste of time. Bad acting, and even worse writing. It was excruciating to watch to the end. And that was bad also. Not a single redeeming quality. Every move, made by every character, had me thinking "...why...". Nothing anyone did made any sense at all. They had a pretty decent plot to work with, and didn't see fit to put the effort into making it work. The slightest bit of creativity could have saved this movie from being a complete disaster. It really felt like they just allowed the actors to come up with their own lines for most of the scenes. And, there was no horror, not even a true thrill. This movie is DOA.

This was so bad that after only couple of minutes of watching the movie I felt the need to see the IMBD ratings because it look suspiciously bad to me. The rating said 4,9 but after watching it I can say after that is wildly overestimated.

After just half an hour I started to read reviews and find out that the movie will only get worst from there. And it did but i stayed till the end just to witness it.

Everything that each and every character does in every scene is absolutely stupid and something that no ordinery person would ever do. Acting is so bad and unconvincing, writting is really lasy, dialogues and actions are just preposterous. The ending was no less than insane. Everything was over the top. How did the crew accepted roles for this?!? It feels like Anne Heche and Dermot Mulroney were doing a favour for some nephew's schooll project.

The suspense in the film was really good. I feel like it had me on my toes and wondering about the many possibilities that would happen in the climax of it. Being a thriller movie the director and producers put a lot of thrill in thriller. I loved McKaley's, acting in this film. The actor that played Barrett Schroeder, did really good in his role. When watching the film, I felt the darkness that he exuded through the screen. Gooch, had a good character arc, I loved how empathetic he became towards the end. When it came to the falling action of the film, it felt as though it was little to drawn out for suspense toward the end. For me as the audience it felt a bit too overwhelming.