The biggest positive about this one was the concept. You have seen the "it's a game, surprise it's not a game" many times, but this one has an interesting and seemingly original twist that made it feel fresh. Unfortunately that about all it had going for it.

The plot really went nowhere. Not much of a story to be had here. Felt a bit more like an undercooked proof of concept than anything. It wasn't super scary although I quite liked the aesthetic of the bad guy, nothing wildly innovative but he looked spooky. The acting from everyone involved was below mediocre here, particularly the participants... although scruffy guy with the blonde girlfriend was alright.

There was definitely some potential to be had with the concept/plot but unfortunately it was squandered with some poor writing and some poor acting that provided for a kind of generally boring movie. Probably wouldn't recommend.

ESCAPE ROOM is one of a number of similarly-themed horror flicks to come out recently, variously involving characters locked in a room and struggling to get out while at the same time being variously bumped off by masked psychos. This one's a grubby, digital movie which is clearly indebted to the likes of SAW. It also fails to get off the ground thanks to mindless plotting, annoying characters, and bad direction. When the villain is the usual masked knifeman things get very boring and very predictable very quickly. Cast-wise, the only members of note are Skeet Ulrich, who has little to do in a minor role, and an all-too-brief Sean Young cameo.

Dont confuse this with the 2019 version which has great reviews. The beginning sequence is not translated but you get the idea whats goin on with the box. It winds up at a store with Sean not wanting to make a deal to sell to Ulich,but he steals it and leaves money, why does he want it so bad if he doesnt believe in it. Why does he want a box that he was warned about when he doesnt seem to promote it, how do we know he doesnt, cause the customers open the box like its nothing. Ulich as the owner of the experience doesnt leave the customers with any way of getting help if something happened. He has CCTV but once it goes out, he refuses to check in on them. Once he reviews past footage and realizes somethings wrong, it takes him a long time to get to the room, then when he gets away, he doesnt help the survivors. Ulich as owner, doesnt seem to be help accountable for whats happened, he trots off. Watchable, but leave common sense in another room to escape.