Green Room (2016)

[baumer]

Discuss

[Kevin Bacon]

Pretty much everything you could ask for from the genre. A familiar premise with a unique spin, strong acting, a tight and sharp script, and artful direction all contribute. But it's Saulnier's knack for gut-wrenchingly realistic, authentic violence that really sets it apart. Once things are in motion, there are no rules, archetypes, or beats to follow--just characters frantically (and often unsuccessfully, despite genuinely smart behavior) trying to cope with an impossible situation, where any failure to think ten steps ahead can result in an abrupt, grisly death. 

 

And additionally, it can't be said how refreshing the set-up is. The authenticity of the film extends to its portrayal of a broke band trying to hack it in the punk rock scene, and in addition to some kick-ass music, it lends empathy and depth to the protagonists that is much harder to come by in films with kids-being-hunted premise that have been recycling the same three scenarios for the past thirty years. 

[MovieGuyKyle17]

Green Room: A punk rock band at the end of a unsuccessful tour, about to call it quits gets one last gig at a neo-Nazi bar. While at the show, the band sees something their not suppose to see, thus leads to a game of cat and mouse between the band and the group of neo-nazi's lead by the great Patrick Stewart. 
 

This movie is a very tense, suspenseful film but it can be a little too gory at times. The movie moves at a good pace, and its short so it doesn't overstay its welcome. The acting from everyone is good. The majority of this film takes place inside the Green Room and during those scenes, it turns into a bottle episode, and I loved watching how these band members react to the events surrounding them. You really feel like a fly on the wall, watching everything go down. This film is pretty gory so if you have a weak stomach, then I would skip this movie. The only real problem I have is I wanted to see more of Stewart's character. Stewart's character was my favorite part but he wasn't used enough. 
 

The film can be hard to watch at times but its definitely worth checking out if you get the chance. This is a smaller release film, so I was happily surprised when I saw it playing at my local theater. My area normally never gets the smaller independent films unless its one of those stupid religion films. If its playing in your area, go see it and support this fine film. 
 

Grade: B+ 

[The Stingray]

I thought it was great!

 

Brutal, unflashy and unflinching. Likable charachters and tension-filled. With Blue Ruin and now this one Saulnier is definitely one to watch.
 

B+

 

Flabbergasted that motherfucker 

 

Edited June 29, 2016 by The Stingray

[somebody85]

Waited months to see this and was so let down, especially after the hype and knowing what the studio is capable of who released it.

I'd rather not go into reasons but when the most emotion a film can give me comes from an abused dog sitting by his dead owner, it's not a good sign for the characters I'm supposed to care about. And without characters to care about, there's no tension. I can't remember a single one of their names. There's Anton, the guy with the green hair, the reckless guy who knows MMA, the punk girl and the other punk girl who wasn't with them at the beginning.

I know it has high reviews and others love it. I was really excited to watch it and wanted to have a blast too. 

Punks not my scene but I do like movies like CBGB. I actually know real green rooms well from being in the music scene. I just wasn't expecting so many monotone characters in this movie. It's also really hard to understand a lot of the dialogue due to all of the mumbling, especially from Patrick Stewarts character.

Really disappointed in this one. It's hardly even a horror movie. There's some gore but I'd classify it more as a thriller then anything.

Oh and I thought the brilliant The Cabin In The Woods deconstructed the whole "We should split up" thing. Guess not...

 

C

Edited July 1, 2016 by somebody85

[The Stingray]

Well, it IS a thriller. It is more along the lines of Assault on Precinct 13 than something like You're Next.
 

[Goffe]

Brutal, intense and refreshing. Not as great as Blue Ruin, but it still very good and enjoyable. 

[somebody85]

On 7/1/2016 at 5:44 AM, The Stingray said:

Well, it IS a thriller. It is more along the lines of Assault on Precinct 13 than something like You're Next.
 

Yeah I thought it was a horror movie and torture porn doesn't really do it for me. Tension only works if I like the characters. Assault On Precinct 13 had that, this did not (at least for me). I've seen some say they liked this aspect of it though.

Like I loved You're Next because I really liked Erin. She was like the more brutal badass version of Michelle from 10 Cloverfield Lane. I haven't seen that movie for years and I still remember her name.
 

I understand I'm in the minority here though and am glad others enjoyed it more then I did.

[mattmav45]

Simply a damn cool film.

 

Jeremy Saulnier has officially become a director to keep an eye on as he's made two pretty unique cinema offerings (this and Blue Ruin).  He has a knack for taking material that on the surface would appear to be trashy and a bit pulpy, and thereafter treating said material with seriousness and even elegance in some situations.  The end result is ultimately a unique, nuanced, and harrowing slice of cinema.

 

A rock band plays a show in the middle of nowhere.  Naturally, the bar is ultimately home to those who believe in the superiority of all things white.  As is typically the case when a band unknowingly plays for a group of skinheads, they come upon a murder, and what follows is a fight to the death.  Let the skinning begin, plain and simple.

 

The foundation is one thing, but it's milking that foundation that is ultimately key.  Thankfully, Saulnier is more than up to the task here.  This is a violent film, but rest assured that violence typically comes in short and unexpected bursts.  Most of the film in fact is a steady exercise in suspense and tension that eventually explodes in violence without any rhyme or reason.  Said violence is allowed to achieve maximum impact as a result of the build-up of suspense along with some damn cool film-making to boot.

 

Superior suspense cinema.  It'll be interesting to see where Saulnier takes us next.

[Blankments]

Green Room is super rad. An almost impossibly large improvement from the dull Blue Ruin, Saulnier mixes his previously overbearing grimy feel with some disgusting fun. An hour and a half of pure adrenaline and horrific carnage is at the center of this, along with excellent performances by Yelchin, Poots, and Stewart. One of the tensest films of 2016, it's the cream of the crop of genre features; a film that's horrific, action-packed, and disturbing all at the same time. Green Room is a fantastic thriller with brilliant direction, a strong script, and great acting. What a pleasant surprise. A-