Directed by:
E. L. KatzComposer:
Mads HeldtbergCast:
Sara Paxton, Ethan Embry, David Koechner, Amanda Fuller, Claudia Salinas, Pat Healy, Elissa Dowling, Todd Farmer, Ruben Pla, Brighton Sharbino, Laura CovelliVOD (2)
Plots(1)
Unemployed and down on his luck, Craig (Pat Healy) finds himself drowning his sorrows in an attempt to forget the mounting debts threatening to tear his family apart. When a chance meeting with an old friend (Ethan Embry) leads to one drink after another; the pair find themselves drawn into an innocent game of dare by a thrill seeking couple with money to burn; Violet (Sara Paxton) and Colin (David Koechner). As the night progresses both Vince and Craig become the victims of their own greed, as the initially fun game escalates into something far more sinister. When the money is on the table, how far will two friends go to ensure their futures? (Koch Media)
(more)Reviews (2)
On the one hand, Cheap Thrills looks quite familiar (a desperate person competing for an increasing amount of money, like in this Thai film) but on the other, this film is always fun enough and also refreshing because, instead of one, the desperate souls are two and they are competing against each other. To some extent, it’s predictable and you don’t need much intellectual effort to figure out what the final station will be like, but it doesn’t matter. The fun never stops and the ending is pleasantly sharp. 8/10
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This is a great test of just how far people will go for money, regardless of friendship. The four leads are excellent, the black humour is solid, and the atmosphere is unsettling, especially towards the end, where it gets solidly heavy. Very solid, intense entertainment and surprisingly very intelligent. Recommended. 75%.
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