Review of The Killing Room (2009) by Tom E — 06 Aug 2009

I fricking LOVE theatrical concept films. Give me a main stage, maybe a side room, a handful of exterior shots, and I'm in heaven, especially when you put a great ensemble like this together. I've long been interested in psy-ops, and the notoriety of the MK-ultra experiments is a particular favorite, so for me, this was very much my cup of tea.

Here it's less about character development, than observation under duress. From the brutal stark design of the Killing room itself, all bolted down chairs, and tables at slightly off kilter angles, the mind games and subversion begin as soon as the characters enter, but the film is unafraid to take it's time in the reveal, and be careful in it's look at the disassociation that might occur in those brave or cruel enough to engage in such experiments.

To those willing to open themselves up to it, the examination and sense of pressure is quite constant, every action tweaked to gauge a possible reaction but to what ultimate goal? Stormare plats well as a man stripped bare emotionally, even willingly, for the task at hand, Sevigny is very well cast as the young intellect carefully introduced to the room itself, her humanity on display as she, under as much scrutiny as the rooms occupants themselves, struggles with choice.

The interior cast, rise to their scenario well, no mere displays of panic or rage, there's some great subtle work in evidence, with all 4 shining. Slowly patterns of dominance and submission emerge, and it's wonderfully stressful, every "stimulus" carefully orchestrated as push towards what appears to be an endgame. Then the ending is upon us, and my skin crawls satisfyingly. It seems an outlandish concept but it's one that explores very modern themes.

A great enclosed concept that is made all the powerful for it's claustrophobic and low budget nature.