Review of Tower Block (2012) by Ben D — 08 Mar 2013

This is one of those films that, if you ignore the inherent problems in its premise (in this they want us to imagine a tower block that on one side is entirely brick wall, with no windows) actually manages to be entertaining.

Heading up the cast is Sheridan Smith, playing her character with attitude and charm, who must help her fellow residents out of a tower block in which a sniper is keeping them imprisoned. Written by James Moran (one of the best horror writers working in the UK today), Tower Block is a thriller that plays like a horror, and this gives the film a grungy, claustrophobic quality. The direction by James Nunn and Ronnie Thompson is fine, but not particularly inspired - though there are some great shots (I liked all the residents falling out of their apartments in terror at the same time).

There is no claim for this to be high art - it is a movie to watch with your mates on a Friday night after a few beers - and as such it does its job brilliantly. Moran's script is on the nose, and even some of the deaths come as a shock (a rare achievement in horror cinema these days, where every death can seem well signalled (though there is an instance of this here too)). It is a film that collapses under its inherent flaws if you consider it - but you're not meant to do that, this is a thrill ride, a rollercoaster, so enjoy it as such and you'll have a good B-Movie time.