Green Room

Green Room is a gripping 2015 horror-thriller film directed and written by Jeremy Saulnier. Starring a talented cast including Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, and Alia Shawkat, the film throws its characters into a terrifying situation that escalates inexorably towards a tense and violent standoff.

Green Room tells the chilling tale of The Ain't Rights, a punk rock band comprising Pat (Anton Yelchin), Sam (Alia Shawkat), Reece (Joe Cole), and Tiger (Callum Turner). They are a group of friends who, despite their struggles and minor success, are dedicated to their craft and music. On their way back from a disappointing gig, they accept what appears to be the offer of redemption. An impromptu gig in a remote part of Oregon sounds like an excellent chance to reclaim some of their tarnished reputation and maybe make a little money.

However, the verdant and quaint Oregon backcountry hides a dark underbelly. The gig is located deep within a sequestered, eerie woodland and turns out to be a favourite venue for neo-Nazi skinheads. The band decides to play, despite the crowd of hostile and intimidating patrons. After their performance, they happen upon a grisly crime scene, essentially becoming witnesses to a vicious act of violence.

Patrick Stewart commands attention as Darcy Banker, the unflinching and icy leader of the skinhead gang. He represents the horrifying force the band members find pitted against, in a deadly game of survival. Caught in the remote location, the band members are faced with a grisly ordeal. Their struggle for survival relies on wit, improvisation and unity, even as they face a heavily armed, ruthless group of deadly skinheads.

Aside from the palpable tension and suspense that Saulnier has expertly curated, Green Room is an exploration of character outlines. It delves into the individual temperaments of each band member, revealing their characters under pressure. Saulnier efficiently draws on their fear, desperation and resolution, fleshing out the young and unprepared musicians trapped in the harsh reality of the violent world.

Anton Yelchin delivers a heartfelt performance of Pat, illustrating both vulnerability and strength in a character who finds himself in relentlessly brutal circumstances. Alia Shawkat adds depth to the taut narrative with her portrayal of Sam, who is tragically caught in an escalating crisis, her expressive performance heightening the dramatic tension. Imogen Poots is impressive as Amber, a mysterious and resilient character who adds further intensity and complexity to the film’s narrative.

Green Room is equally notable for its technical accomplishments. The use of the claustrophobic, dilapidated setting is particularly noteworthy in the hands of cinematographer Sean Porter, who utilizes natural light, long shots, and tactile framing to lend an eerie realism to the unfolding horror. The brutal, often unsettling violence is depicted uncompromisingly, heightening the film's raw and visceral tone. The grimy details, from the disheveled band equipment to the menacing neo-Nazi paraphernalia, further add to the grim, realistic grounding of the classical siege scenario.

The sound design deserves a special mention, with the nerve-jangling thrum of punk music often bleeding into scenes, creating a harsh sensory landscape that contributes significantly to the tension and unease that permeates the film. The filmmakers more broadly evoke the anarchic spirit of punk rock throughout the narrative structure and characters, capitalizing on its raw energy to enhance the suspense.

Green Room is a harrowing thriller that revels in its premise's unrelenting nature. The film explores a terrifying scenario that will leave the audience on the edge of their seats, breathless with anticipation at every turn. It successfully conveys a raw, visceral energy, rarely seen in thrillers, and provides a stark exploration of survival under horrifying circumstances. Jeremy Saulnier presents a stark, brutal, and, above all, gripping story that is a must-watch for any fans of the genre.