Casting Kill

How many actors would gather at a slightly dingy casting suite for a shot at a role in a Hollywood movie? Plenty, it would seem - and without doing the necessary checks to see whether the opportunity is quite what is advertised.

Caroline Spence's darkly witty script and James Smith's taut direction deliver a thriller that does more than hint at the horrors within the story, yet we don't see much in the way of blood and gore.

I saw this film at its London premiere where an appreciative audience gasped and laughed together. The impressive score by Shaun Finnegan is more than the icing on the cake - it is a main ingredient in the recipe and a vitally important part of the overall feel of the film.

There were strong performances from all the lead actors with John Laird as Arthur Capstone giving a portrayal of a deeply (oh-so-deeply) disturbed man hidden not very far beneath the swaggering exterior. He gets away with arrogant and controlling behaviour almost entirely unchallenged because of the status he claims and the supposed potential rewards he offers (ring any bells anyone?). However he comes up against the determined Domenic (a tremendous performance from Jack Forsyth-Noble) who is like a public-schoolboy, self-interested version of Columbo who simply won't give up. Notable performances too from Rachel Chima, Gareth Tidball, Ian Renshaw and from Andrew Elias as the disconcertingly pragmatic caretaker.

It's hard to believe that this was shot in just 6 days and it is testament to the hard work of everyone involved in the production that Raya Films has delivered such a great looking film in such a short time.

This is such a good film. James and Caroline made such a superb suspenseful thriller that takes place in the British film industry and takes Harvey Weinstein's audition process to a whole new level. The acting was really good and well conveyed throughout the entire thing. Probably the only let down was perhaps the soundtrack. Might have been a little over the top at times. The camerawork is really good and got Hitchcock vibes to it. Take the time and watch this original horror flick and I mean horror lightly as there's no jump scares or actual horrific moments. Minor gore and blood to don't worry!

A well scripted, performed, filmed & scored horror film that reflects the movie industry tropes with aplomb and dark humor. The journey of auditioning actors and their archnemesis in the guise of a casting director, moves you through the day in the life with the added twist of horror (no spoilers!). The story is told with an ode to Hitchcock flare and a fun, popcorn worthy viewers experience. The musical score perfectly reflects the genre, though at times, seems to overshadow the scenes - but we get it! You think you know which characters you're rooting for, but you don't. So, enjoy the plot twists and the shocking, delightful journey, where you come to feel for everyone in it - in this industry.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU SEE THIS FILM!!

An expertly written and tightly woven thriller. An amazing music score drives this film through a series of tense and chilling encounters. There is a traditional feel to this movie where the emphasis in on the story telling rather than cgi distractions. No half hearted mumbling here ....the performances are delivered with conviction and clarity. In classic hitchcock style there are some truly memorable jaw dropping moments of horror. There are some twists and turns at the end which will satisfy fans of the psychological thriller genre. Let's hope this is the big one for Raya films as they go from strength to strength.

The script is particularly bad. It takes a common genre of horror and violence against women and the misogynistic pitfalls and cliches that plague similar works. It somehow keeps you bored throughout-like when one seemingly disturbing act turns out to "just" be homicide, the clearly psychopathic mummy issues underlying the character's misogyny, the worst popcorn ever, and of course the unexpected ending that shows the different depths of depravity within all of us. The context of an acting casting call both creates a over the top theatrics while being brutally honest about the very real nightmares within the industry. Overall, the script is witty, provocative, cogent, and all too relevant.

Of course, it comes to life with stellar acting, most notably from the lead Rob Laird as Arthur Capstone. The script demands a lot of him, and he meets the challenge heroically: treading the tightrope between deadpan and camp with Olympic precision to create a character who feels uncomfortably real, like a living nightmare. Scenes with him and Jack Forsyth-Noble as Domenic; they fed off each other's energy so beautifully and hilariously that you almost lost sight as to who was the true antagonist.

Overall, it's a no watch for wide ranges of audiences: anyone who loves horror, comedy, black comedy, social commentary, and honestly should avoid at all costs.