Christmas break at an all-girls faculty within the late 70s, and a quartet of killers come calling…
There’s no actual template in the case of changing into a profitable movie director, and whereas some stumble proper out of the gate solely to search out their stride with a follow-up, others knock it out of the park with their debut. Jenn Wexler sits arguably within the former camp as her first characteristic, The Ranger (2018), doesn’t fairly work exterior of its lead actor, Chloë Levine. Five years later, although, Wexler’s sophomore effort storms onto the display with slick visuals, a enjoyable and twisty script, and bloody thrills. The Sacrifice Game is a well paced lesson in being cautious what you want for and an entertaining trip from bloody begin to even bloodier end.
It’s the late 70s, and Samantha (Madison Baines) is wrapping up her first semester at Blackvale Academy for Girls and able to go dwelling for Christmas break. She’s out of luck, although, as her dad cancels on her final minute leaving her to spend the vacation alone at college with solely two others — a kindly instructor named Rose (Levine) and a small, shy outcast named Clara (Georgia Acken). It most likely wouldn’t be that unhealthy of a time if it weren’t for the quartet of killers slashing and slaughtering their manner throughout the state with Blackvale as their remaining vacation spot. As snow falls exterior the our bodies begin dropping inside, and the killers’ devilish plan is revealed.
The Sacrifice Game is a enjoyable slice of horror goodness mixing slasher thrills, “home” invasion shocks, and supernatural shenanigans into one energetic good time. Wexler delivers a glow up from her debut to this sophomore movie that sees massive leaps in each space beginning with a gap sequence that, whereas seemingly impressed by Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), finds its personal groove, type, and satisfaction. The movies visuals proceed to catch the attention as Wexler and cinematographer Alexandre Brussière discover shadowy depths and the heat of candlelight all through the college’s heavy inside structure.
Visual thrills proceed by means of the movie’s quite a few kills and suspense beats, and whereas a minimal quantity of CG blood is seen, the movie is sort of gleeful in its spurting shows of the gooey, sticky, sensible pink stuff. Some characters on the periphery are the primary to go, however the script (by Wexler and Sean Redlitz) quickly makes it clear that nobody’s actually protected right here. That sort of uncertainty, together with certainly one of two methods up the movie’s sleeves, makes for a movie that each entertains and retains viewers on their toes. There are nitpicks available — one character’s late alternative wants a bit extra meat on the bones in regard to its setup and justification — however the leisure wins out by the point the credit roll.
The finest behind the scenes parts aren’t at all times sufficient if the casting isn’t proper, however The Sacrifice Game succeeds throughout the board on that depend. Levine is at all times a vivid spot, and it continues to boggle the thoughts as to why she isn’t headlining greater movies or her personal sequence by now. Relative newcomers Baines and Acken are equally robust, and the three of them work extraordinarily properly collectively as we see their pleasant bond kind earlier than the shit hits the fan. We’re shortly involved with their wellbeing, and that raises the stakes on the horror aspect of issues. Side word, don’t be stunned if you happen to consider Kristen Stewart’s flip in Panic Room (2002) whereas watching Acken at work right here.
The quartet of villains are compelling and charismatic in their very own methods beginning with Mena Massoud‘s aggressive turn as the group’s chief, Jude. The blade-happy killer is a far cry from Aladdin (2019) in the absolute best methods. Olivia Scott Welch chases her triumphant flip in 2021’s Fear Street trilogy as a carefree killer and the gang’s smartest member, and Derek Johns performs Grant, the big-framed muscle who prefers glares over speech each time attainable. The movie’s handful of comedic beats, in the meantime, usually fall on the ft of Laurent Pitre because the weaselly Doug who’s the primary to name out and query each step that doesn’t fairly go as he was promised.
The horror style shifts forwards and backwards over time, and the case could possibly be made that we’re presently (and hopefully) within the tail finish of the mopey, grief-stricken gradual burn cycle of films. The Sacrifice Game isn’t burdened by heavy ideas or overly severe connotations — it’s only a enjoyable, thrilling, and generally stunning good time for followers of cultish killers, underdog protagonists, and devilish antics. It gained’t scare you or go away you depressed, however it should have you ever smiling and excited for regardless of the hell Wexler decides to do subsequent.
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Related Topics: Fantasia Film Festival, Horror, Shudder
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