Most Dangerous Game, 2020.
Directed by Phil Abraham.
Starring Liam Hemsworth, Christopher Waltz, Sarah Gadon, Zach Cherry, Aaron Poole, Christopher Webster, Billy Burke, and Natasha Bordizzo.
SYNOPSIS:
Dodge (Liam Hemsworth) needs money quickly. Bills are piling up, he has a baby on the way and time is literally running out as his illness spreads….
For those unfamiliar with Quibi think about the new streaming platform in terms of Netflix with two vital differences; one this content is all original and two solely designed for mobile devices. Founded by Jeffrey Katzenberg who gave us DreamWorks alongside David Geffen and Steven Spielberg, it takes advantage of mobile tech and exploits interactive opportunities to deliver quality bite sized entertainment.
Launching in the US this today it seeks to capitalise on our reliance on mobile devices, our normally frenetic lifestyles and need for entertainment on the move. With Steven Spielberg and Guillermo del Toro both signed to produce content Quibi is aiming to be a game changer in content terms. An intention which is underlined by the presence of these Oscar winners amongst many others who have not been slow in coming forward.
First out of the gate and available on April 6th at launch will be the Liam Hemsworth headliner Most Dangerous Game. This feature film in chapter form co-stars Christopher Waltz and comes with an old fashioned thriller vibe. Broken up into quick bites what immediately becomes apparent is how concise the writing is, how cleverly situations are introduced and how quickly you become engaged.
From a screenwriting perspective this uses the mobile device to frame elements of importance, underline dramatic set ups and makes it feel interactive through the turnstyle technology. Scenes are punchy, character dynamics economical and Hemsworth does well conveying emotion while Waltz does compassionate instigator with subtlety. Writer Nick Santora uses the benefits of this new platform to drip feed information in frame whilst maintaining tension and upping the ante.
Where Most Dangerous Game and Quibi will come into its own is through the interaction this platform provides. This implied involvement is not only reminiscent of Black Mirror’s Bandersnatch, but feels more immediate by channelling action through the device itself. If used effectively this feature will not only bypass the creative graveyard of novelty value but become an intrinsic selling point.
Beyond the patented turnstyle technology everyone will be asking questions around the potential of this platform. Based on this evidence not only does the concept work in practice but for those on the move Most Dangerous Game represents a great launch title. Concise, tightly plotted and featuring some measured performances it proves that interactive shows on the go are not only viable but possess extraordinary potential.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Martin Carr
