Six individuals are invited to participate in an Escape Room challenge, which quickly escalates into a life-or-death situation.
The narrative of Escape Room is relatively straightforward. Screenwriters Bragi F. Schut and Maria Melnik have constructed a functional story that progresses logically. However, the film’s strength lies in its direction and acting performances. What could have been a tedious experience is instead a compelling hybrid of The Game and Saw (minus the excessive gore). Director Adam Robitel, known for his work on Insidious – The Last Key, guides the audience through the somewhat simple plot, effectively generating suspenseful moments. Notably, a sequence set in an inverted bar is particularly gripping.
Taylor Russel, previously seen in the Netflix adaptation of Lost in Space, portrays Escape Room’s protagonist. While Russel is a demonstrably talented actress, her character becomes somewhat confined to the archetype of the “mysterious, introverted” individual, which is portrayed rather intensely. Her motivations remain elusive, which proves slightly distracting, particularly towards the film’s conclusion.
Initially, Tyler Labin, who plays Mike Nolan in Escape Room, was difficult to place. It became apparent that he is a lead actor in the acclaimed cult film Tucker & Dale vs Evil. Labin delivers a solid performance, although, as with Russel, it diminishes somewhat towards the end.
Logan Miller and Deborah Ann Woll also contribute positively to Escape Room. As previously mentioned, the film’s quality unfortunately declines towards its conclusion. The finale descends into a somewhat implausible scenario, as the filmmakers attempt to introduce excessive plot twists, ultimately undermining the narrative’s credibility. This is regrettable, as Escape Room is largely an engaging and entertaining film.
The Blu-ray edition is comprehensive. The DTS-HD audio presents a clear and well-defined soundscape, with impactful audio during action sequences. However, the surround sound effects are somewhat lacking, detracting slightly from the overall experience. The video is sharp, with deep blacks, performing well within the constraints of 1080p resolution. The inclusion of informative documentaries about the film is a welcome addition, though they are brief.
In conclusion, Escape Room would be easily recommended were it not for its somewhat disappointing ending. Nevertheless, the film warrants a positive assessment as a source of engaging entertainment.
