Would You Rather (2012)

Posted on March 18, 2015 by emmakwall

Would You Rather is a 2012 horror film starring Brittany Snow as Iris – a young woman anxious to help her little brother who is in need of a lifesaving bone marrow transplant. In her desperation, Iris agrees to attend a mysterious dinner party where eight strangers will compete against each other in a bid to win a huge, cash price.

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I only watched this film because it was on Netflix and I fancied a bit of fluff on Friday night and the premise sounded pretty good. In all honesty I expected something fairly cheap (but hopefully fun) and I didn’t bother reading any reviews before I watched it – the Netflix file picture of a razor blade next to someone’s eye was enough for me.

I was surprised to find out however, that some effort had been made with the storyline and characters. Perhaps a bit too much effort in fact as it was a full 30 minutes before anything really happened – except talking and looking out of windows. The writer/director clearly wanted us to care about Iris which is fine and hats off to them for effort but personally, sometimes with films like this, I don’t really see the point.

Anyway, once the fun violence started it was pretty intense in places. The gentleman hosting the party was a polite and wealthy man called Shepard Lambrick (Jeffrey Combs). With help from his associates – his odious son and an irritating butler – he tells his guests they’re playing the game ‘Would You Rather’ where players are forced to pick between two – not very nice – choices.

The usual characters are supplied in the form of other guests – a handsome and trustworthy man, a black dude, ex-military guy, a hot girl and Kevin McCallister’s dad – which was nice.

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I did read some complaints after on the IMDB about a ‘lack of character development’ for these people. Really?! Does anyone really care? They need money – it’s hardly an unusual wish.

So things start, well in a fairly radical fashion actually. A nasty looking device is brought out and Shepard goes around the table asking each guest to choose “would they rather” be electrocuted or have someone else at the table electrocuted instead. Not only did this serve well on the horror aspect, but it also helped determine the characters. Some being slightly more selfless than others would rather take the pain than inflict it on another. Not everyone has that attitude though.

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So time goes on and the would you rather questions get steadily worse and worse. I won’t give too much away for you folks that want to watch it but I’m sure you can imagine anyway.

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And not just razor blade eye stuff either. Whips, ice picks and major arteries all make an appearance.

All in all it wasn’t a bad horror film but it could have been a lot better. A bit more tension and fear wouldn’t have gone amiss. I think the idea is more promising than the result perhaps, but I wasn’t expecting too much as it was released three years ago and I’ve never heard much buzz about it.

Still, when you consider the ‘torture’ movies that are currently free to watch on Netflix, this is definitely one of the better efforts. I’ve watched some real shit on there in the past.

The acting was pretty decent, nothing too hairy. Snow and Combs were both good. It wasn’t an overly long film at 93 minutes and the overall premise was decent. I respect the fact that some effort was made with the writing – and the ending too, which has a slight sting in the tale – though I would like to point out the subplot with the doctor was bizarre, pointless and boring.

Not the prettiest of films, aside from the blood and stuff it was very dark and drab. Maybe that was to add to the atmosphere but it just made me squint. But those bad points aside (and I guess I am splitting hairs now) it wasn’t bad at all and if you’re a card carrying member of Netflix and a fan of horror flicks then I’d have to recommend you watch it. It was entertaining on the whole but it could have done with a bit more ‘wow’ factor – fear, tension and anticipation mainly. But still this was a great idea and there’s nothing particularly dislikeable about the film, it’s just not going to make anyone’s “best movies ever” list.

About emmakwall

Films, books, soundtracks, good humour
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43 Responses to Would You Rather (2012)

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  1. romeorites says:
    March 19, 2015 at 00:26

    Mmm, think I may give this one a miss. Seems to be reinventing the wheel somewhat. I BLAME SAW

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    • emmakwall says:
      March 19, 2015 at 09:10

      There are a lot of Saw comparisons but it’s not in the same league. Saw was brilliant! I’m talking about the first one of course, not the cheap sequels 🙂

      This is okay for ‘Netflix fun’ but nothing more. Thanks for your comment 🙂

      Like

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  2. By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff says:
    March 19, 2015 at 00:22

    Stellar review as always Ems! Not sure about the movie though. I sort of like the premise. I mean who doesn’t like “fun” violence? But it usually has to hook me at the beginning.

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    • emmakwall says:
      March 19, 2015 at 09:10

      Aww thank you Kim!!! 🙂

      Yeah that’s exactly what got my interest up – the premise! But it wasn’t executed in the best way unfortunately.

      Not the best, not the worst. A bit…meh! 🙂

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  3. Jay says:
    March 19, 2015 at 00:06

    Oh my god, I could barely handle reading the review.

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. vampireplacebo says:
    March 18, 2015 at 22:03

    This one has been on my to-watch list since it hit Netflix. I love Jeffrey Combs, have since I first saw him way back when in Re-Animator, and other HP Lovecraft films. But I just have never gotten around to it, other films catching my attention first when I’ve been in the mood for horror. But after reading this, I may just have to move it up on my list 🙂

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    • emmakwall says:
      March 19, 2015 at 09:11

      Excellent news! I think you should watch it because Jeffrey Combs is definitely one of the biggest players in this! And he is very good in it too.

      It’s not the greatest film but it’s okay for a one-off watch!

      I expect other old school horror fans have tried this because of him 🙂

      Thanks for your comment!! Let me know if enjoy it when/if you watch it!

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  5. Ryan says:
    March 18, 2015 at 21:43

    It’s too bad this one wasn’t better, that’s such a great concept.

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. movierob says:
    March 18, 2015 at 19:53

    uh, not for me in the least

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. theipc says:
    March 18, 2015 at 17:40

    CLAM!!!!!!!!!

    I’ve seen this around for a while now and never pulled the trigger.. should I watch it??

    Love Pen!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. Kim @ Tranquil Dreams says:
    March 18, 2015 at 17:20

    There’s a lot of criticism with this one. I watched it a year or two ago and I felt pretty much the same as you did. Its not great but its not horrible. There were some unrealistic part, mostly with the Sasha Grey part and some disturbing parts. Still, it works as decent entertainment. Nothing mind-blowing but nothing that made me feel like I wasted my time, even if you could see that ending a mile away 😉

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    • emmakwall says:
      March 19, 2015 at 09:15

      I must be so dumb as I never saw that ending coming lol but I have read a few thoughts on IMDB similar to what you said – everyone saw it coming!! Ha ha.

      What did you think of that plot with the doctor? I thought it was the most pointless thing ever!! Ha ha.

      I found the whipping probably the worst thing though the ice pick stuff made me squirm a bit ha ha.

      Thanks Kim 🙂 yeah I think we felt exactly the same about this, not great, not horrible! Just a bit of fun.

      And yes some bits were very unrealistic!!!

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      • Kim @ Tranquil Dreams says:
        March 19, 2015 at 11:49

        Doctor? It probably was because the part has vanished from my mind. I’d have to skim the movie to remember 😉
        The whipping was pretty brutal. I have to say that this one made me cringe some bit. Its also because I don’t watch a whole lot of torture horror..haha!

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        • emmakwall says:
          March 19, 2015 at 12:15

          Just in case anyone else reads this

          *SPOILER ALERT!*

          Yeah the doctor who told her about the dinner party in the first place. He obviously had a change of conscience and broke into the house to try and rescue her! Just as he found her and said “it’s going to be okay” or something like that he got shot – either by Jeffrey Coombs or his son. (I’m forgetting too and only watched it a few days ago lol)

          So nothing happened! It was just WAY pointless lol.

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  9. newguy87 says:
    March 18, 2015 at 17:18

    Nice Review, i got drawn in by the name Jeffery Coombs but i felt the same as you, it could have been a lot higher tension but doesn’t reach it enough

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. vinnieh says:
    March 18, 2015 at 17:08

    This looks interesting, brilliant review Emma.

    Liked by 1 person

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