PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Escape Room is a psychological thriller film directed by Adam Robitel and released in 2019. The movie follows a group of six strangers who receive mysterious invitations to participate in an escape room challenge. As one might expect, the participants quickly realize that the stakes are high as the rooms they navigate become increasingly dangerous and deadly. Soon they come to realize there are “watchers.” As the characters work together to solve puzzles and escape each room, they further uncover the sinister conspiracy connecting them all.
The Dimensions of Escape Room
The escape rooms are designed to tap into their fears and past traumas, adding an extra layer of psychological tension to the film. The cast of this feel-good adventure includes actors Taylor Russell, Logan Miller, Deborah Ann Woll, Jay Ellis, Tyler Labine, and Nik Dodani. In my opinion, there isn’t a bad actor in the bunch, and even though I wouldn’t stand a chance in these escape rooms myself, I feel like I’m right there with them, looking for the way out. “What would I do?” becomes a real question, although it’s debatable just how plausible it would be that some of these rooms could be constructed.
Better than Critics Suggest
Escape Room received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its suspenseful atmosphere and creative puzzles, but criticism for its familiar plot elements and character development. I didn’t find the story bogged down by anything, and my favorite room is the upside-down one. To be honest, I also think this movie would be more popular had it been made earlier in cinematic history.
Despite the mixed reviews, the film was a commercial success, leading to the production of a sequel, Escape Room: Tournament of Champions, (which also has an “extended cut”), which was released in 2021. In a way, this movie reminds me a bit of the earlier movie Nerve (2016), though it’s different enough to avoid being accused of ripping it off. In fact, the two flicks might make a good duo for a movie night.
Do you think you could escape from the rooms in Escape Room? Let us know in the comments!
