DVD Review: 13: Game of Death
13 Game of Death (2006)–***
DVD Review
13: Game of Death is everything I wanted Saw to be. This psychological thriller/splatter film from Thailand is just topical enough, just perverse enough and just tense enough to make for an entertaining evening of blood, shit and satire.
The film follows Chit (Krissada Terrence), a music instrument salesman who is having the worst day of his life. He’s broke. His car has been repossessed. And to top it off, he loses his job. When Chit seems to be completely out of luck, he receives a mysterious phone call telling him he can win loads of cash. All he has to do is complete 13 tasks for an Internet game show without fail and without question. But what starts out as a simple game evolves into something more violent and disturbing than Chit could have expected.
I know I’m watching an effective movie when 30 minutes in, I’m nauseous. 13: Game of Death cultivates its sickeningly twisted tone with such nonchalance that it’s disturbing. Unlike gruesome American horror films that try, and try hard, to shock audiences, this Thai thriller hardly ever feels forced, making it much more effective.
Equally effective is the dark sense of humor that pervades the narrative. The tasks are often disgusting, but it’s hard to turn away because the are completed with an unexpected comedic flair. No, that’s no permission to cast Shia LaBeouf in the inevitable American remake, but it is a solid recommendation for anyone who prefers a little belly laughing with their blood.
13: Game of Death, starring Krissada Terrence and directed by Chukiat Sakveerakul is available on DVD today.
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