A disgusting game of "Would You Rather" by a sadistic aristocrat allows a chance of easy living for one of eight struggling individuals who would do anything to rid themselves of their personal turmoil. But never fully aware of where the game might take them, each of the participants quickly begins to realize that only one of them is escaping the dinner table alive.
At the forefront of the story is Iris, a young women who is desperate to help her ailing brother after the tragic death of her parents. It is her conscience that we follow most closely as she befriends a few of the other dinner guest, naive enough to think that they can work together to find a way out.
Brittney Snow does a tremendous job at holding down the film, keeping it grounded and personal during its more unsettling moments. Her mix of youthful innocence and heavy dosage of personal responsibility provide for a truly vulnerable take on Iris, one that leaves you constantly guessing as to her next move.
Both Enver Gjokaj and Jeffrey Combs provide solid supporting work as Lucas, a fellow contestant, and Shepard, the aristocrat, respectively. Their work helps to create an uneasy atmosphere as the game chugs along and the contestants begin to fall by the wayside. Their chemistry together, along with the rest of the cast, ignites the central story as each bears a strong responsibility, thanks in large part to the small number of active participants who can be seen onscreen throughout the film.
Director David Guy Levy uses what he has to offer up -- a haunting story that channels your inner-psyche and makes you begin to question just how far you would go to save yourself or someone you love. Would You Rather does show its budget from time to time, but in a sense, that is what gives the film its eerie feel. It's hard to imagine yourself feeling any more settled into the scene, seeming almost as if you were sitting at the table with the other contestants, unsure of what the next round has to hold.
