When it comes to any kind of movie confined to a small space, there has to be something interesting and foreboding about that space. With the advent of modern technology it is getting harder and harder for the "middle of nowhere" horror setting to be realistic anymore. So when you see something like Green Room, it gives you an appreciation of just how harrowing it can be when we think our technology can save us, but can't.
Green Room combines some of our worst fears into one horrifying platter. Middle of nowhere setting? Check. Ominous weather? Check. Evil people waiting to end your life? Can't get any worse than gun wielding Nazis with ravenous dogs. Compelling and realistic bad guy? Huge check. The violence is also compelling and brutal as well, leaving one in abject horror over the sight of someone with a knife in their head or when dogs start ripping someone apart. At no point during the film did the tension feel forced or ever let up. The stakes were appropriately raised when needed, and that is when we got Patrick Stewart in all his glory.
Normally, we don't see Stewart in this kind of role. He has been a bad guy before but nothing like this. While he may be a 70-year old man, when he enters the room you know he is in control. The way the younger, muscled up Nazis say virtually nothing in retort to his commands and hang on his every word exhibits his power among the collective. It was a nice and welcome touch to the proceedings.
I can't say enough good things about the film, for it is taut and tightly wound in a way that keeps you invested in the film. Even when the third act goes a little off the rails, it is not to the detriment of the feature. Give it a shot, it is terrifying but way better than most of the horror films out there.
