Game of Death review: A group of friends stumble across a strange game during a party full of sex, drugs and excess, but this game has a thirst for blood, can the group survive this deadly game of kill or be killed?
Game of Death review by Kat Hughes at the 2017 Sydney Film Festival.
Game of Death Review
A group of teenage friends, and their pot-smoking drug dealer, are enjoying an afternoon of sex, drugs and booze until they decide to play board game, ‘Game of Death’. The rules of the game are simple – a number will appear in the counter, that is the amount of kills that must be achieved to complete the game. The catch is, if they don’t kill someone one of them could be the victim; it’s kill or be killed.
The premise might sound a lot like Battle Royale, but rather than having teens murdering teens, Game of Death unleashes the teens unto the world. Innocent people are caught in the cross-hairs (literally) as the two of the teens, Tom (Sam Earle) and Beth (Victoria Diamond), go all Mickey and Mallory Knox in a bid to win the game. It’s an interesting spin on the usual tale – there have been far too many films with kids killing kids – but sadly Game of Death never truly gives the payoff the audience deserve.
At a svelte 73 minutes one would imagine that the film might leap straight into action, however, the opening ten or so minutes is spent getting to know our teens. This would be great if we actually got to know any of them. Our opening moments instead focus in on the group as they Snapchat, tweet and Instagram themselves drinking and doing various drugs. Most of this footage comes via their phones and it gets a little confusing as to who is who; not great when you’re trying to set-up your cast of characters. Game of Death only starts to become interesting once they uncover the game, then things really kick off.
Game of Death Review
Given that the characters all blend into one, once the killing starts it’s even harder to keep a track of who is who, leaving somewhat of a disconnect. The quickness with which some of the group take to the murder spree is shocking, and even the more reluctant have their minds changed all too easily. This seems unlikely, but then maybe it’s a comment on how desensitised to violence the youth of today have become.
Despite the lack of character work, Game of Death keeps the viewer watching thanks to some great choices by directing duo Sebastien Landry & Laurence Morais-Lagace. Some of their choices feel very avant garde European cinema, with the whole film a feast for the eyes. The stand-out, and most ballsy decision though, is an animated jaunt, around the halfway point that feels part A Scanner Darkly, part a really weird trip. Also worthy of praise is the designer of the actual game prop. The look of the game wouldn’t look out of place on the shop selves alongside Hasbro’s classics, it looks so authentic.
Game of Death Review
Sadly, these flashes of invention are bogged down by weak dialogue, overly dramatic acting, a muddled story riddled with plot holes, and stupid characters. Why does no one really question why a game needs your blood before you play it?!
Game of Death has elements that will please genre fans and art-house fans alike, unfortunately there’s just not enough to fully satisfy either.
Game of Death screens at the 2017 Sydney Film Festival.
