Rating of
3/4
More then lives up to its title.
Jacob Zembower - wrote on 03/13/14
It's a story we've seen before, think Funny Games and Would You Rather, and yet Cheap Thrills still works, and more than lives up to its title. What elevates the film (I'd place it just below Funny Games, just above Would You Rather) is how perfectly it meshes pitch black humor, graphic violence and suspense, and even a little pathos. The entire cast is game and strong in their roles, especially Pat Healy (Compliance) as a man who will do anything to make money for his family, no matter how extreme. Ethan Embry of Empire Records fame, puts it his best work of his entire career. Still as adorable as ever, his character's arc is predictable (As much of the film is) but it's a pleasure to watch his intense portrayal of a guy who doesn't have much to live for, and may not be a friendly as initially portrayed. The biggest surprise of all, however, is the fact that-- and I really never thought I'd say this-- David Koechner is fantastic here. I can't really stand the actor, but he pulls off his sinister, drug fueled, oddly sympathetic character wonderfully. And for once, I actually liked him. Sara Paxton doesn't have much to do, but in her subtle moments, and femme fatale facade, she works it well. Ultimately, I was able to see where Cheap Thrills was going for most of the film, and it certainly provides more than a few sequences of queasy unease and suspense. It's not without it's surprises and entertaining throughout. One of the better genre films of the still fresh new year. (Unrated- contains graphic violence and gruesome images, strong language, sexual content, and drug use throughout.)
