Reviewed by Melissa Antoinette Garza
I had seen this movie, years ago, and recalled enjoying it. When I saw that it was on Netflix Instant watch I figured I’d give it another go with my husband and brother.
The film plays out as a reality show where the participants goal is to hunt down and murder the other contestants.
Dawn (Brooke Smith) is the reigning winner and is also 9 months pregnant. Many people including her family believes that she is just scum while others look at her as a hero. Her first love also happens to be a Contender. Jeff (Glenn Fitzgerald) who still cares for Dawn is married, dying of cancer and Gay.
Connie (Marylouise Burke) is a woman on the cusp of being of the retired age. She’s a short stout nurse who is on the right politically and ready to kill Dawn who she believes to be a blight on society.
Lindsay (Merritt Wever) is a rebellious teenager who though personally is excited about being on the show, is controlled by her worried and purposefully annoying parents.
Tony (Michael Kaycheck) is a cokehead who tries to keep his wife and children with him despite the risk of the show.
Franklin (Richard Venture) is an enemy of the show who wants to expose it for the hypocrisy and a level of outcome he believes the creators more than just predict.
Overall the movie is fast-paced, fun and plays like a reality show. As someone who despises most reality-TV, this is definitely a refreshing satirical look at how the genre attracts and applauds the lowest common denominator.
This is certainly a movie I’d suggest watching. It’s also one that stirs conversation so if you have friends or family over it’s definitely worthwhile to view it with them. That said, years ago I watched the movie with a self-proclaimed feminist who read too much into the movie and cheered Dawn’s character. It reminds me of the ghetto trash who love SCARFACE (1983) and aims to be like him never understanding that the point of the film was that Montana was a loser who killed his best friend under false pretenses, caused his sister’s death and was shot down like the dog he was. Pseudo-intellectuals and pseudo-thugs have a lot in common when it comes to logic and rationale. The character of Dawn is not a strong woman. She is a selfish wench who is lost in the past and though worried about her kid seemingly is more concerned about Jeff.
In the end, as long as you do not hang with a pretentious crowd and just have feel-good friends, this is definitely a smart watch that will be enjoyed.
Scared Stiff Rating: 7/10
