“Would You Rather” Movie Review: Intense and Nailbiting

The “Would You Rather” movie was released in 2012 and it’s one that I think should have gotten more attention. Not only is it intense and horrifying, but it’s unique and enthralling. The concept is certainly something we’ve seen before – would you rather is a common party game – but the setup of this story is something you’ll never see coming. 

“Would You Rather” Movie Review: Plot Overview

The story follows the main character, Iris. In the beginning, we learn that her brother is very sick and requires various treatments including a bone marrow transplant. As her brother’s primary caretaker, she is responsible but struggles to afford everything he needs.

Desperate, she reaches out to a friend who surprisingly tells her he may have a solution. All she has to do is win a simple party game, and the prize will be enough money to take care of her brother. Beyond that, the very influential host will secure a donor for her immediately.

Right away you can tell that she is uncomfortable with the idea, but of course, she agrees as she is out of options for her brother. She arrives at the house on the night of the event, only to be faced with an even stronger sense of foreboding. She learns very quickly that now that she has committed to playing the game, she will not be able to leave as the host promptly kills the first person who tries.

It’s then revealed that the game they’ll be playing is “Would You Rather.” Seems simple enough, right? Wrong. Instead of making the usual silly decisions between licking peanut butter off someone’s foot or jumping into a cage of tigers (all completely hypothetical of course) they’re presented with frightening and dangerous choices from which there is no escape.

Things go alarmingly awry as the game progresses and it’s full of surprises.

My Thoughts

One of my favourite things about this movie is the DOUBLE twist ending. The end of the game is a bit of a twist itself, and just when you think it’s all over, you’re hit with the REAL twist.

Aside from keeping you right on the edge of your seat, this movie also does a pretty good job of tugging at your heartstrings. In the beginning, they really emphasize the relationship Iris has with her brother and you get a good glimpse into just how much she cares about him.

Brittany Snow does an excellent job executing this, even just with her facial expressions. You’re already feeling for Iris and her brother because of the situation they’re in, but seeing them interact makes you feel even worse. You’ve gotten to know them personally and you’re sad right along with them.

It doesn’t stop with Iris and her brother though. You learn the backstories of some of the other characters as the game moves forward, and it makes their predicament that much more heart-wrenching.

Characters

I think the characters were very clever and appropriately minimal. Their ages ranged from mid-twenties to a woman in her 70s. This movie is not overrun with characters either. There are really only a handful of main characters and just as few supporting roles. This gives the movie more of an intimate feel. Rather than keeping track of a ton of people, you’re getting more up close and personal with just a few.

Acting

Overall, I think the performances were exceptionally high-quality. Brittany Snow is wonderful as a sad, vulnerable, yet likable young woman caring for her brother. Jeffery Combs is excellent as a charming, yet heartless host who carries out his increasingly violent forms of torture with a smile and a chuckle.

I did feel as though there were some unnecessary comments from the biggest antagonist of the game players. Sasha Grey plays Amy, a young girl who is angry, violent, and jaded. She’s there for herself and literally doesn’t care who lives or dies. She is the only one not participating in the “stick together” mentality the others create.

While I think this character is necessary and certainly adds entertainment value and even a little morbid humour, I think they push her stance a little far sometimes. She makes it very clear in the beginning that she’s in it to win it and not going to team up with or support anyone else, and she continues to make it very clear throughout the game.

It becomes redundant after a while. I mean, we get it, you don’t care about anyone else. This does have less to do with the acting and more to do with the script though. Sasha Grey gives an awesome performance as Amy, but I think her lines could have been a little more refined.

In Conclusion

Overall, this is an excellent movie. We get heartfelt characters and an intriguing story right off the bat. The acting is strong, the characters are well-crafted, and the twist ending holds incredible shock value.

More than once I actually found myself laughing (usually at the host and his carefree style of torture) and then promptly stopped and asked myself what I was doing, because come on, this stuff is awful. In the end, though, it is just a movie and the comic relief is welcomed, while still sticking to the morbid and creepy theme of the story.