Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 80 minutes
Release Date:
2 Dec 2010
Based on a story by M. Night Shyamalan (Sixth Sense) with screenplay by Brian Nelson (30 Days of Night), which is the first of The Night Chronicles trilogy. This supernatural thriller is directed by John Erick Dowdle (Quarantine). Following a suicide from the same building a group of five strangers are trapped inside an elevator. Ben (Bokine Woodbine) a temp security guard, an elderly woman (Jenny O’Hara), Vine (Geoffrey Arend) an annoying mattress salesman, Tony (Logan Marshall Green) who served in Afghanistan and Sarah (Bojana Novakovic). As the film unfolds we become aware of all their deep dark secrets as strange things start happening in the elevator. The CCTV footage is viewed in the building’s security control room, with one of the viewers, Ramirez (Jacob Vargas) also used to provide narrative. When things turn ugly in the elevator the police are called in with Detective Bowden (Chris Messina) leading the investigation. As the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle start falling into place it appears nothing is coincidental.
The twist in the story is not new as for those familiar with Agatha Christie it has the structure of her 1939 novel And Then There were None. So it may come as a surprise for those who haven’t read her work. M. Night Shyamalan can’t seem to take a trick lately with a string of mediocre efforts to the disaster of The Last Airbender. This is still probably better than some of his previous efforts and though the twist is hardly original if you like supernatural evil versus good type films you will feel creeped out and unnerved throughout the thankfully short 80 minutes. The tale of redemption and forgiveness as underlying themes are well presented and thought provoking. You know that everything will be linked together by the end but to the writers’ credit it does work well and there are no gaping plot holes to contend with and it all weaves nicely together in the end if somewhat predictable. If you are an atheistic Agatha Christie aficionado then don’t bother.
Well directed by Nelson and the cinematography is great particularly in holding your interest in the tiny confines of the elevator. The acting performances were solid, though Jacob Vargas as a bit over the top as the religious fanatic. I particularly enjoyed the performance of Chris Messina (Vicky Christy Barcelona) and Logan Marshall-Green (Brooklyn’s Finest). Also look out for Australian Bojana Novakovic (Edge of Darkness), she is bound to feature in another films.
3/5 stars
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