Review of Would You Rather (2013) by Renzo V — 02 Jan 2014

A SADISTIC DINNER PARTY.

- 'Would you rather' is an existing game that forms the base of this 2012 horror movie, starring the living horror icon Jeffrey Combs. The storyline is a kind of Agatha Christie meets 'Saw'; a couple of strangers attend a dinner party hosted by a eccentric millionaire, only to die one by one in a sadistic game. I've got a soft spot for these kind of movies, but wasn't really convinced about it at all. There are no big shocks in stall (you know who will be the winner) but I must agree there's an unexpected twist in the end. In my opinion there should have been paid more attention to the characters and the reason why they are attending the game, and less on the torture part. One scène that made my skin crawl was the one with the razorblade. And remember kids: always think twice before accepting a dinner invitation...

Dealing with financial difficulty the orphaned Iris tries to find a job so she can take care of her younger brother Raleigh, who's fighting leukemia. One day she is invited by doctor Barden, who introduces her to the seemingly good hearted millionaire Shepard Lambrick (Combs). He tells her that he has the means to help her brother. The only thing she needs to do is to attend a dinner party, where she and seven other guests will compete in a game. The winner will get all financial or medical care he/she needs. Iris agrees and goes to the Lambrick Mansion. In the lounge she meets the other contestants (including a man with gambling debts, an elderly woman in a wheelchair and en ex-alcoholic). Escorted by the butler, the group of strangers go to the dining room, where Lambrick and his shady son Julian join them. When the food arrives and Iris informs her host that she's a vegetarian, he offers her a deal: if she eats the meat, she wins 10.000 dollars. Supported by the others, she forces herself to do it. After dinner, the game called 'Woud you rather' begins. Each player is given the choice between two cruel tasks. They have 15 seconds to decide what task they will complete. It's the start of a sadistic night, where not making a choice or failing to succeed leads to elimination. Permanent elimination!