Wrongful Death

First of all, I want to say that the movie was really great; it held my attention until the end. The acting of both main actors was on the highest level. Isabella Brenza did awesome job, she made me worry, care and in the end even feeling sorry for her. Alexander Mann portrayed her, how can I say, her "imaginary" enemy, and somehow maube being the leader and the one to take actions first.

Michael Pare and Eric Roberts are indeed the Hollywood's finest gold. Their performances were outstanding. I could see the pain in Michael's eyes and feel the same the way he tells the story to Isabella. The reason that I rated it with eight stars lays in very little screentime for Eric Roberts, it were three scenes, I think. We would like it'd been more.

And for the conclusion, I am rising my hands up to the producer and director Vjekoslav Katusin, writer, and the whole Dream Team behind him. You guys always surprise with something better than expected. 8/10.

When I watchted that movie I was not sure about what I was going in for, so after watching it, here are my personal points:

• Screenplay was nice
• Character play was quite nice too, although not top notch
• Sounds and especially music was lovely
• lovely post scenes after credits just like marvel made it but better

...but: *SPOILERS* from here on: Is this a rip off of the Saw series and the monumental movie Jenseits (tt0847567)? In my opinion this movie unfortunately comes without the execution of Saw or Jenseits though but in any way delivers nonetheless. At least if you don*t have much expectation. Don't expect marvel arts but expect to be entertained in my opinion. We could have driven off into the world of cosmic horror but unfortunately we didn*t.

This film is an utter disaster from beginning to end, failing on almost every level imaginable. The acting is painfully subpar, with the actors delivering their lines with little to no conviction, making it impossible to connect with any of the characters. Their performances are flat and wooden, contributing nothing to the overall experience. The script is equally disappointing, riddled with clichés and predictable twists that offer nothing fresh or interesting to the genre. The dialogue feels forced and awkward, as if no real thought was put into making the characters' interactions believable or engaging.

To make matters worse, the cinematography and set design are amateurish at best. The location feel generic and uninspired, lacking any atmosphere that might have helped build suspense.

Overall, this movie is a complete waste of time. It fails to deliver in every possible way: from the acting and writing to the technical aspects of filmmaking. It's hard to believe anyone thought this was ready for release. If you're looking for a suspenseful, thrilling horror movie, do yourself a favor and skip this one entirely.

Wrongful Death immediately pulls you in with its intense opening and never lets up. What starts as a familiar "trapped in a room" survival scenario soon transforms into a deeper narrative, exploring themes of revenge, guilt, and the destructive power of unresolved anger. While it may initially remind viewers of films like SAW or Escape Room, it distinguishes itself with compelling performances and a storyline that keeps you engaged and constantly guessing. The acting, especially from Isabella Brenza as Sophia McElroy, is a highlight. Brenza pours everything into her role, making her character both vulnerable and resilient. Her powerful portrayal earned her several accolades, including Best Actress awards at the 2023 Oniros Awards, Fall Awards, and Vegas Movie Awards (for this movie to be clear - all these festivals are focused on independant movies). You genuinely feel her desperation, fear, and pain as the story unfolds, and she brings a depth that makes the audience care for her character's fate.

Michael Paré, portraying Dr. David Moore, delivers another solid performance, bringing depth to a character haunted by past choices. His nuanced portrayal keeps the audience hooked, and his scenes with Brenza carry emotional weight. Alexander Man's portrayal of Jake Mills adds an interesting dynamic, especially as his character balances being both an antagonist and, in a sense, a victim of his circumstances. Man, known from his work in Romane Simon: Life of Gia the Movie, gives a compelling performance that complements the tension in the film.

Regarding Eric Roberts as Senator McElroy, well, Roberts is simply Roberts - a veteran actor. You like him or you don´t.

One of the most impressive aspects of Wrongful Death is its ability to shift genres mid-story. What starts as a psychological thriller gradually incorporates supernatural elements, which, surprisingly, work well within the context. The final act introduces some mind-bending twists that leave you reflecting on the plot long after the credits roll. It's a bold narrative choice that pays off, leaving the door open for more in potential sequels. The direction and writing by Vjekoslav Katusin, who also directed and wrote Unbound Evil (2022), shows a clear vision, and while the budget may have been modest, the movie feels well-crafted. There's a certain rawness to the production that adds to its charm. One area where the film falls slightly short is in its pacing. The story could have delved deeper into its world and characters. While the film's core is strong, I found myself wishing for a bit more exploration of the backstories and motivations of the supporting characters. Additionally, for those expecting a gore-fest based on the trailer, this film is more focused on psychological tension rather than excessive violence, which works in its favor but might surprise some viewers. Overall, Wrongful Death is a compelling mix of suspense, drama, a slight toutch of horror (mild) and supernatural intrigue. The film successfully touches on important themes like bullying and revenge, delivering a narrative that feels both entertaining and thought-provoking. If you're a fan of intense psychological thrillers with a twist, this is definitely one to watch. A great indie thriller that holds its own, thanks to strong performances and unexpected twists. Hence a 7,6/10 (don´t like round numbers).

No pun intended - a sequel is already in the making. Funnily enough it will have Costas Mandylor in its cast - who is quite famous for his appearance and role in the Saw franchise. Why is this important? Well this right here is a bit of a Saw clone. While Saw took elements from other movies and put them together, this copies stuff that made Saw so successful ... like how much one values their own life and regret and stuff like that.

Now watching Eric Roberts in this (way too little screen time) is a delight! He is not phoning it in - him playing and acting on the level he does ... makes some of the other actors look quite ridiculous! Like the "german" character who interacts with him to name one.

But even our two "prisoners" - the dialog does not favor them ... but the way they "act" ... it feels like quite the inferior version of something that is beloved. The theme is more than alright ... but one cannot shake the feeling of cheapness.

Still there is nudity, blood and violence - so all your needs when it comes to those things will be satisfied ... is that enough? Well you'll be the right person to answer that question ... just remember ... actually it seems to be ok to forget - a lot! If nothing else is true here.