The Belko Experiment (2016) Dir: Greg McLean
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I needed a quick, entertaining watch one evening, and this Greg McLean directed horror, written by James Gunn, seemed like it would do the trick. I can't say I was expecting much more than a semi-decent gore-fest. Unfortunately, it became apparent pretty quickly that my expectations were still too high.
The story was simple, tropy and lacking in any actual depth, but it was at least pretty fun at times. I feel like the idea of a group of formally-cosy compatriots being forced to turn on one another has been done a lot, and I don't think this was the best example of that premise. It was merely a tolerable version of it.
The kills were fine, but for a film set in an office complex, very fee of the kills actually utilised office equipment. There was just a distinct lack of creativity, as the film instead relied on boring, throw-away methods of dispatching characters. It was a pretty big disappointment.
John Gallagher Jr leads a host of mediocre performances from a pretty lacklustre cast, typified by overacting up and down the board. Gallagher Jr felt far too much like a guy who was told he wasn't acting upset or angry enough. It was pretty poor viewing.
Of the remaining cast, Tony Goldwyn and Adria Arjona failed to capitalise on their substantial roles, while John C. McGinley and Sean Gunn did at least provide some entertainment, despite their character's awful writing. Gunn felt like such a jarring inclusion in the film, but he was at least a bit funny.
Also worth mentioning were Melonie Diaz, Michael Rooker and David Dastmalchian, who did at least leave an impression, even if it wasn't much of one. In fairness, in the case of Rooker and Dastmalchian, they had so little to do that they never really had a chance. For what it's worth though, Rooker came across the strongest.
Overall, this was a pretty mediocre horror film, that wasted its potential and interesting premise on a lazy story and dull kills. McLean's nothing direction and Gunn's pedestrian writing makes this a truly forgettable film. It passed the time, but not much more.
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