Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!
Plot Summary: Ten strangers are invited for a psychological experiment that lasts a week and will test their paranoia among other things...
Review: At first glance this feels like it will be one of the many "Saw" ripoffs out there, but there's actually quite a bit going on here. At it's core, the story is an homage to classic mystery novels with an overarching sci-fi aspect which, at times, feels like a contrivance to address certain plot issues that only a futuristic setting could get around. Basically, ten people are chosen to be a part of an experiment after applying to a job listing that is practically too good to be true. The group is confined to an underground facility in which they are provided with their every need, filmed, and monitored by a robotic sentinel attached to the ceiling which will kill them if they break certain rules; this whole process is intended to last seven days. It isn't long before the cast realizes they are in way over their heads as each person is provided with a weapon they can use to either defend themselves or kill someone while simultaneously unable to lock their doors. This part is really clever because each weapon is showcased by some mystery novel it was pivotal to as well as the fact that the main experiment is designed to represent "And Then There Were None." Big shock, someone dies the first night and so the real mystery begins: who is the killer amongst the group? The paranoia is great and the general atmosphere of wondering what the hell is going on works effectively. I suppose my only disappointment was that there were quite a few predictable twists, and it hurt that there was no final connection between the ten people chosen. Speaking of which, the characters are a bit cliched, but I was surprised by the development of some of them since they went in a direction I hadn't expected. To my greatest delight, the main female lead, Shoko, is played by Haruka Ayase (who I discussed more thoroughly in my "Ichi" review)! Unfortunately, she does not show off that buxom body, yet again (seriously?!), and her story line is the most predictable of the bunch. Complimenting Ms. Ayase's hotness is our lead, Yuki, played by my favorite Japanese actor, Tatsuya Fujiwara, of "Battle Royale" and "Death Note" fame. Another hot chick definitely worth my attention was the Miya character played by Satomi Ishihara (some major eye candy going on here!). The best character turned out to be the one I expected to die first: Ando. Ando's character started off as a cliched drunk but had the most development and grew by the end of the film. Overall, there was some solid acting from the majority of the cast with the exception of the cliched douche and his fiance. By the end of the film, you discover that all the events are being viewed on the internet. Now, a snuff video is plausible in the future, but it is implied there were other experiments so how would the main cast have never heard of this if it's so popular? You'd think something like that might make the news at the very least, right?! Anyway, Yuki is the only one who really lives and wins the experiment so to speak. Shoko lives as well, but it should come to no shock that she was working for the people sponsoring the experiment and was sort of a ringer manipulating certain events. Ando also lives, but he cheated and faked his own death; I was glad he lived though since I liked the relationship formed between him and Yuki. I had wanted Shoko and Yuki to get together because there was definitely something going on there, especially if you rewatch her early dialogue, and notice that she strategically whispers her real thoughts to Yuki so the internet audience can't hear. This is a wonderful mystery film filled with great ideas and creativity. It is only hindered by some plot holes, a few cliches, and some missed opportunities. I definitely recommend tracking this one down!
Notable Moment: At the end when Yuki wants to know why Shoko bothered to save him. It felt more interesting that Shoko just looked on with a longing stare rather than giving a real answer; Ms. Ayase is good at saying so much with just a look.
Final Rating: 7.5/10
Ms. Ayase looking as beautiful as ever:
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