The Belko Experiment product reviews

I am a fan of horrors and thrillers and have to admit, was pretty damn excited to receive this one to review - it is just up my genre alley and with husband away doing an overnight shift, it was a perfect time to indulge my "I like being scared" appetite. I settled into the couch and popped the DVD into the player. This movie is also available on Blu-ray which is handy to know.

The movie starts in Bogota, Columbia with Mike (John Gallagher Jr) heading into his office of Belko Industries in the remote and rural part of the city. Stopped at the gate by unfamiliar guards he questions why they are there and notices that the Columbian nationals are being prohibited from entering. Wondering what is happening, he heads in, noticing some of the guards entering the hangar adjacent to the office building, further sparking his confusion.

When the 80th non Columbian employee arrives, the social experiment they never knew they were in, begins with an ominous voice telling them that three employees need to die and they get to choose otherwise others will be killed. From there a gruesome game of kill or be killed occurs.

Without spoiling the movie, this type of film has been done time and time again. It has a slight nihilistic side to it, but only very briefly, which I would have loved to have seen explored further. In fact - a lot of this film is like this - with many many possibilities left unexplored and open such as selecting possible first "victims", the cat and mouse game, the moralistic vs survival split.... just to name a few.

The bad bits - the ending - like actually - what the heck - without revealing it all, I really hope there is a sequel - I have so many unanswered questions - why, for what reason, how the heck did they choose this particular company, and what was the actual point of the experiment?

The good bits - there are some great ideas and frights in the movie - the way the first characters are assassinated is something new, and quite clever, to start with. The actors are actually very good, and you really feel like you can see them struggling (well the "good guys" at least) and you do find yourself wondering "what would I do" in the same situation. Those that enjoy the gory, Saw type of movie, this is a similar level, but with a less cohesive plot. The special effects really do make you feel like you are about to be splashed in blood, and the filming added to the feeling you were trapped in the steel locked office block.

Whilst I am not sure I would see it again, I do not regret watching it - it is a good "lose yourself in a pointless movie" type of deal for a weekend. Please please please say there is a sequel to answer and tie up some of the many unfinished loose ends!