Belko experiment (2016) Movie review

"The Belko Experiment" is a brutal horror film that poses a grim question: what would happen if you were trapped in an office building and forced to kill your colleagues in order to survive? Directed by Greg McLean and written by James Gunn, the film explores this scenario with gleeful brutality, pushing its characters to the brink of sanity and beyond. While the setup may seem familiar to fans of "Battle Royale" or "The Hunger Games," "The Belko Experiment" distinguishes itself with its unrelenting violence and dark humor.

The film takes place in the Colombian branch of the American corporation Belko. The employees, a mix of Americans and locals, are going about their day-to-day tasks when they notice that something is off. There are more security guards than usual, and they seem to be preventing the locals from entering the building. Before they can investigate further, a voice comes over the intercom, instructing them to kill a certain number of their coworkers in order to ensure their own survival. At first, the employees are hesitant to comply, but as the stakes get higher and the body count rises, they begin to turn on each other with frightening ease.

The characters in "The Belko Experiment" are largely archetypes, with little in the way of backstory or development. There's Mike (John Gallagher Jr.), a likable everyman who tries to keep his coworkers calm in the face of the growing chaos; Barry (Tony Goldwyn), the CEO of Belko who sees the situation as an opportunity to consolidate power; and Wendell (John C. McGinley), a middle manager who revels in the violence. While the lack of character development may be frustrating to some viewers, it also allows the film to focus on its central premise: how far will people go to survive, and what does that say about human nature?

One of the strengths of "The Belko Experiment" is its pacing. The film wastes little time in setting up its premise, quickly establishing the stakes and the rules of the game. Once the killing begins, the tension never lets up, as the characters are forced to make increasingly difficult choices in order to stay alive. McLean's direction is tight and efficient, with well-choreographed action scenes that showcase the film's inventive and gruesome kills. The film's score, composed by Tyler Bates, is also noteworthy, adding to the sense of unease and dread. The cast is also a major asset to the film. While the characters are not particularly well-developed, the actors bring an intensity and realism to their roles that makes the violence all the more disturbing. John Gallagher Jr. is a standout as Mike Milch, the reluctant hero who tries to save as many of his coworkers as he can. He brings a sense of moral ambiguity to the role, as Mike is not above killing in order to protect himself and his friends.

Tony Goldwyn is also excellent as Barry Norris, the Belko executive who takes charge of the situation and becomes increasingly authoritarian as the body count rises. Goldwyn brings a gravitas to the role that makes Barry both compelling and repulsive. Other notable performances include Melonie Diaz as Dany Wilkins, a security guard who becomes Mike's ally, and David Dastmalchian as Lonny Crane, a creepy IT guy who revels in the violence.

Another aspect of the film that works well is its dark sense of humor. While the violence is often brutal and disturbing, there are also moments of absurdity that provide some relief from the tension. One standout scene involves a character trying to make a makeshift weapon out of office supplies, only to be interrupted by a coworker who needs to make a photocopy. It's a small moment, but it speaks to the film's ability to find humor in even the darkest situations.

That being said, "The Belko Experiment" is not without its weaknesses. As mentioned earlier, the characters are largely undeveloped, which can make it difficult to care about their fates. Additionally, some of the film's attempts at social commentary feel half-baked. While the film hints at issues of corporate greed and American imperialism, it never fully explores these themes, instead opting for a more straightforward survival story.

In conclusion, "The Belko Experiment" is a brutal and entertaining horror film that doesn't shy away from its dark premise. While it may not be the most original or nuanced entry in the genre, it succeeds on the strength of its pacing, direction, and dark humor. Fans of horror and action films will find much to enjoy here, as long as they're willing to stomach the violence.