Chop Chop

Settling in for a home-cooked meal, a couple finds their night interrupted when a bizarre pizza delivery-man attacks them and are forced to kill him to protect themselves, setting the two off on a wild journey deep into the criminal underworld full of homicidal maniacs to clear their names and get out alive.

For the most part, this is a mess without much going for it. Most of that is due to the story which tends to equate shocking moments and surprising reveals with setup or context as the primary factor for what's to be considered scary or thrilling. The opening encounter with the delivery man is a perfect example, offering no clue who this bizarre deliveryman is or who his first scene shows him approaching the house carrying heads in an orange bag. He's not explained, nor are the seemingly supernatural powers he displays being able to enter the house moments later after being locked out to see him sitting on the couch threateningly. The couple is more outraged over the interruption this causes to their plans than who he is, why he showed up or if this is the start of something bigger which is a problem with the lackluster story. Moreover, that's a huge issue with the rest of the film as a whole where seemingly random events keep occurring to the two. How they manage to go from being a seemingly average couple enjoying a romantic night together to being targeted by a criminal organization and tortured by homicidal maniacs should make some kind of sense yet nothing ever does. Considering the viciousness of the criminal gang they come in contact with, there should be more of a throughline as to how the storyline ties together but this one never gives any concrete evidence. They're always the one being spoken to or given instructions but nothing comes of who the gang is, how they get their information or what the general endgame is, leaving this a confusing, random mess. Lastly, even if the story makes no sense, this one suffers greatly from glaring internal issues that belie its amateur status. The couple are completely nonplussed by what they encounter on their journey, reacting to everything with a blank, emotionless expression and barely-audible whispers instead of logically freaking out over the people they encounter or the dangerousness of the situation. Knowing they're in the presence of vile, homicidal criminals should elicit more of a fear for their lives than what's going on which really lowers our sympathy for them. It's only possible to know their names from the end credits as they barely speak to each other which only occurs in that low-register whisper, and by the end when they start to get tortured for information but fail to give any all interest is lost in this random, directionless mess.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Violence and Graphic Language.

But oddly satisfying with a lot of WTF moments right to end and after where I was just left wondering what I watched and why did I continue after I realised that this was just two messed up people having a really, really bad day with some other very messed up people, I can't give it more than a 5 anymore than I can give it less than a five purely because I'm not really certain of just what I just watched.

Wears its influences on its sleeve. In the hands of Roger Avary this could have been a minor masterpiece. In the hands of this director, it is kind of a mess. More character development is needed, as well as a lot more PLOT development. Things happen for no particular reason. Watchable, but don't expect any resolution.

This movie has some great cast of characters and for a horror/thriller, a creative set of antagonists where you would think what else could one come up with anymore, this one makes you think otherwise.

The plot, while a bit slow at times and creating more questions then answers, it created an air of suspense. It didn't leave me at the edge of my seat, but kept me curious wanting to learn more. The movie itself was unique in that it was a thriller-satire of sorts. Elements of the movie kept it familiar, but twists and turns kept it creative and fresh.

If you want to watch a different type of thriller, one that pushes the creative boundaries of genres and has a great cast, definitely don't miss this one.

One thing I will say was that I was expecting genuine horror as the genre and the title screams it, however it was more of a light thriller with some satire. It was pleasant surprise nonetheless.

Give yourself a break and give this movie a chance. Try something different for a change.

I normally don't provide reviews but I was suggested this because it was an indie flick from a promising director. I usually like seeing those combinations because it strays away from the redundant filmmaking.

Yes they are places of confusion where you are scratching your head but that is what it's supposed to do. It's supposed to make you think and analyze who these two main characters are and what their real connection is to the maniacs in the film.

I enjoyed the actors and the survival mode they kept themselves in. The supporting actors such as Jerry brought on great intrigue and made me ask, "What's his connection?"

Give the movie a shot, you'll enjoy it.