Having already placed a haunting, psychological tale in a public convenience, starring Ryan Kwanten in Glorious, director Rebekah McKendry has established that she conveys stories from the most unusual setting. Her latest venture to hit Shudder, chooses to relocate to an elevator. The substance of the movie lays ground in an online phenomenon where people play a specific game to test their fears and the spectral myth that once you have ridden any elevator whilst stopping at a set order of floors, to invoke a ghost. The trick is to not open your eyes when you reach the fifth floor, or end up haunted to your own death by the female phantom.

Told from the perspective of high school graduates who run an online series debunking similar urban legends. They fall down on their luck when their sponsor threatens to pull the plug unless they can turn around a successful show by the turn of the week. Thankfully, or maybe not?, the team meets Ryan (Gino Anania) who presents them with the afore-mentioned game. The hook, or catch in this instance is that not only is the urban legend real, but Ryan’s sister may have been a victim and he believes the team are also responsible. Fuelled by vengeance and the search for truth beyond the known world, Ryan will go to all costs to seek it out.

The Prognosis:

I’ll be honest here. The thought of yet another social media horror feature immediately halted my need to watch this film, but it is markedly better than a few i’d like to mention.. Ahem Countdown or… cough Unfriended. Elevator Game does unfortunately share one characteristic though… unlikeable characters, so yes that in itself is part of the game, to watch these deviants get their comeuppance, but in this instance it comes at the cost of the film.

It’s fairly obvious who will end up in the finale, such is the predictability on show, but it’s still a fun ride. It also misses some of the humour present in Glorious too. Mark this up as a missed opportunity to elevate her career, but still promise that she may still reach the penthouse suite if McKendry keeps producing solid outings.

– Saul Muerte