Green Room Review

Green Room (Rated R)

It can be very difficult to make movie violence effective today we see so much on TV, the net and our daily lives, that I think most of us are probably fairly numb to extreme brutality. Which is why there is something special about a film that can not only shock with its violence; but leave you feeling a sense of unbearable terror. Green Room follows a young punk rock band who end up being witness to a grisly scene at a backwoods bar for skinheads, the suspense and tension from that point on is intolerable in the best way. The film starts off fairly light their are plenty of laughs, and the performances really sell the characters as authentic human beings just having the time of their lives;  which makes the fight for survival later on, that much more terrifying and oddly inspiring.

The performances are what keep this film grounded, and in turn what makes the violence that much more unsettling. Most films have a disconnect between the carnage taking place on the screen and the reality of real world violence, violence on screen tends to be displayed more often than not in such a heightened, over the top manner that it is cathartic and often quite enjoyable to watch. Most films portray a sense of a struggle in their violence; yet, what Green Room does is a total 180. Every act of on-screen savagery is carried out effortlessly, which is what drives the realism in these barbaric acts home. The contrast between the instigators and those caught in the middle has never been so startling, and yet so similar. On one side you have a group of easily likable youths led by Anton Yelchin and Imogen Poots; they are charming, witty and could be any group of friends you may have known in your early twenties. On the other side, you have a group disgusting skinheads led by Patrick Stewart and Macon Blair; it would have been easy to just write caricatures of these kind of people, after all hate is rarely worth understanding.

Writer/director Jeremy Saulnier has gone to great lengths to show that even people with the most horrible ideals, can at times show their true humanity. The film is not defending any of the actions of these people, so much as presenting each person as a real human being. Humans are capable of great love, we can be kind and generous; but, we can also be incredibly selfish, and capable of terrible acts of cruelty. Patrick Stewart has never been more terrifying as the owner of the bar, his natural calming demeanor is the perfect contrast for this type of character; you want to trust him, he seems so reasonable. Macon Blair who many may not recognize unless familiar with the director's previous film Blue Ruin, steals every single scene he is in, effortlessly; he is one of the most natural performers I have seen in quite some time.

Anton Yelchin is the anchor of the film, his performance sells the journey his character goes on which is the focal point of the story; as always Anton is charming and charismatic, you never want to take your eyes off him. At the film start's Anton is unsure and lacking conviction in his actions; yet, as more and more horror unfolds around him, he is changed in the most unusual ways. Imogen Poot's character is the catalyst for Anton's change, and she is the epitome of a smart, strong willed person that never lacks confidence; furthermore, it is how her character and Anton's bond throughout the course of the film that makes's their actions possible, and most importantly believable. Which is why the violence no matter how quick it is cut, is so jarring. It is never staged in an unauthentic way each act of on-screen sadism is extremely graphic, but never pornographic. Excessive on screen gore does not always make a scene more shocking, sometimes the less you see the more you fear.

Green Room seamlessly navigates multiple genres, the film is often very funny in spite of the callous nature of events taking place; which is also what makes the violence so impactful. Each death and act of brutality seems to come totally at random; even when you think you know for sure what is going to happen, the film will often leave you shocked at the sharp left turn it takes. I would say that if I had to peg one label to the film, I would have to call it a study of the effects of violence on human nature. Yea, it is not a straight horror film as the goals of horror are to merely scare; Green Room's sights are much higher. Most entertainment mediums use violence as a means to an end or for cinematic flair, rarely has violence been used so effectively to create such a harrowing narrative.

If you're watching this for the thrills a genre picture can offer, you will not leave disappointed; but, Green Room delivers more than simple thrills. Green Room is proof that sadistic violence when used appropriately, can be much more than a momentary feeling of "OH MY GOD"; Green Room shows cinema violence can be used for so much more than simple entertainment.