Review of Green Room (2016) by Jb B — 11 Jul 2016

Who says movies are too violent?! Well they may have a point with Green Room. The difference is though, the violence isn't just gratuitous, it's a necessary and relevant part of the narrative.

The movie wouldn't have worked if the characters weren't so strong. The punk band we meet at the start aren't particularly sympathetic, but when they get caught up in the aftermath of a murder, you do feel their tension and distress. Yelchin does very well in the most central role, being careful not to overstep the fear beyond believability.

The independent style of the movie gives it a more grounded texture, in a way that may have been lost with the backing of larger production companies - the character relations, dialogue and story (though simple) are executed with grit and realism, which makes the tension even stronger!

Yet the movie's end is a little unsatisfying - perhaps too soon. With the inclusion of such detestable antagonists (including a very different Patrick Stewart), you'd expect it to finish a little more definitively and emotionally, but the end it has fits the plot adequately!

Though the story and characters are very streamlined, there's no denying the strength of the threat. The gore is realistic which makes Green Room scarier than most modern horrors!