Escape Room (2019) Movie Review

 

Escape Room | 2019 | 1h 39m
Genre: B-Action/B-Horror/Psychological Horror/Psychological Thriller/Suspense Mystery/Whodunnit/Action/Adventure/Horror/Mystery | Country: US
Director: Adam Robitel | Writers: Bragi F. Schut, Maria Melnik
Cast: Taylor Russell, Logan Miller, Jay Ellis
IMDB: 6.4
My Rate: 8/10

Zoey, Ben, and Jason receive a mysterious invitation to play an Escape Room game, where they meet three others: Amanda, Mike, and Danny. They do not know that this game is different from others: it puts them in danger and they must struggle hard to survive.

Warning:

Stroboscopic scenes, violence, strong language, smoking, and drugs.

 

Synopsis Escape Room:

Ben (Logan Miller) falls and finds himself in a room resembling a library, and he must find a way to get out of the room. However, Ben must race against time because the walls of the room keep moving, making the space narrower. With all the tension happening, Ben struggles to think while the walls continue moving relentlessly.

Three days earlier, Zoey (Taylor Russell), Ben, and Jason (Jay Ellis) receive a very interesting puzzle box. The box is sent under the names of people they know. They try to open the box and finally find a card inviting them to participate in an Escape Room game organized by Minos.

Jason works as a very ambitious trading salesman. His skills earn him many big clients. One of his clients sends the puzzle box as a gift to him.

Zoey is a fairly smart student but lacks self-confidence. Zoey is a quiet child who prefers to spend time alone. This worries her professor. Zoey receives the puzzle box as a gift from her professor.

Ben works at a convenience store but behind the scenes. Ben appears to have trauma that makes it difficult for him to socialize. His boss sends the puzzle box to him as a gift.

Ben, Zoey, and Jason go to the building according to the card inside the box and meet Amanda (a former soldier in Iraq), Mike (a truck driver), and Danny (an escape room enthusiast). They all gather in a waiting room to await further instructions. They realize the game has started when Ben accidentally ‘breaks’ the door handle of the room.

They try to find clues that can be used to get out of the room. Then Zoey tries to turn the door knob, causing the room’s temperature to rise. Everyone panics, especially as the temperature continues to increase, making them feel like they are being roasted in a large oven.

Will they be able to escape the game safely?

 

Review Escape Room:

Escape Room was originally planned under the title The Maze, released in 2019 based on an original story by Bragi F. Schut. The film was shot in South Africa from late 2017 to January 2018. The film faced challenges in Poland, where on the same day as its US release, a fatal accident occurred in Poland. Five children were trapped in a fire at the ToNiePokój escape room, resulting in their deaths.

The story idea is quite interesting, taking the theme of games that were popular at the time, with various creative and innovative challenges. This made the story successfully deliver the expected tension.

The story opens by building curiosity in the audience. The opening scene is a clip from a tense final scene. Then, the story goes back to the beginning that caused the tension.

The background of the story and characters is built quite well. Although not all characters except Zoey, Ben, and Jason have detailed backgrounds, the introduction of the characters is sufficient to build the story. Additionally, the background of the escape room itself is also explained quite well.

The conflicts that arise are presented with appropriate tension. The issues regarding personality and true nature of humans in urgent situations become the main focus of the film. Viewers will see conflicts between characters caused by this. Additionally, the tension from the challenges that put them in danger is also highlighted. The characters will surely make the audience feel annoyed at times.

Besides the external conflicts clearly shown, the film also presents internal conflicts within each character. How the past of each character influences the challenges presented in the escape room. Every detail of the story is written very neatly, without neglecting logic.

The story resolution is done quite well by showing the development of each character. The audience is also given explanations about the reasons behind all events. Furthermore, it serves as a clue for a continuation or sequel of the film.

Camera movement and filming techniques are quite good. Every scene shown is meaningful. Each dialogue is appropriate for the situation. Effects such as Zoe and Jason being in a black-and-white room are presented well, making the audience feel what the characters feel.

The choice of sound effects and music also fits each scene. This adds tension to every moment. The acting of each actor is quite good and successfully portrays the character of each player skillfully.

Overall, this film is said to successfully present a suspense film that is worthy and interesting to watch.

 

Memorable scene:

Amanda, who manages to save the number 8 ball that is the solution to the puzzle, must risk her life. She is willing to sacrifice herself to save her teammates. In this scene, we can see the other side of humans who still prioritize the safety of others, even if it puts themselves in danger.

 

Memorable dialogue:

"Surviving is a choice! Make Yours!"

 

Ending:

Cliffhanger Ending

 

Recommendation:

Worth to Watch

 

(Aluna)