Sometimes the Game Plays You
Horror movies have embraced the concept of technology as a threat for decades. The 80’s featured some great scares in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, Evilspeak, The Urge to Kill and Videodrome, just to name a few. This trend continues into modern times with more recent films like Unfriended, Ratter, Skypemare, and Friend Request.
Choose or Die is the rare horror movie that ties together the 80’s with modern times leveraging one killer computer game. Kayla (Iola Evans (The 100)) is a disrespected gaming developer who is consistently passed up for legitimate work. When she hears about the chance to earn a $100,000 prize just for playing an obscure survival game, she decides to check it out.
Kayla boots up the game and is dropped into level one. The game is primarily text, with no action elements on the screen. She quickly discovers that the game bleeds over into reality. The diner she’s in changes its menu to match the game. The waitress is also enrolled in the game (in what is one of the better practical effects.)
Layla visits her gamer friend, Isaac ( Hugo’s Asa Butterfield) who attempts to join in the game with dangerous results. She continues receiving her nightly invitations from the game (voiced by the iconic Robert Englund). With each level, she realizes that the game can only end with the inevitable boss fight. This is where the movie hits its short but entertaining climax.
<<SPOILERS AHEAD>>
The movie suddenly tackles the trend of changing dynamics in horror films. She faces off with character actor Eddie Marsan (Ray Donovan). The best moment in the entire movie is Marsan’s Hal praising his introduction to the game back in the 80’s. Kayla replies “Fuck the 80’s!” Marsan’s reaction is sheer brilliance. He behaves as if she has just insulted his mother, his children and his deity all at once. It’s a comical moment that surpasses the rest of the film.
Choose or Die has some tense moments but the reliance on digital effects takes a negative toll on the suspense. The audio editing is one area that is more annoying than terrifying. The jump in volume is reminiscent of a Michael Bay movie.
Choose or Die marks the directorial debut of Toby Meakins. It is streaming on Netflix and may also be found under the name CURS>R (which is the name of the video game featured in the film.) The film runs 1 hour and 24 minutes. It is rated MA-17.