The Oak Room

The Oak Room is a thrilling mystery movie from 2020 that stars RJ Mitte, Peter Outerbridge, and Ari Millen. The movie is directed by Cody Calahan and is based on the play of the same name by Peter Genoway. The Oak Room is a movie set in a small town in Ontario, Canada that follows the story of two men who are caught in a dangerous game of storytelling.

The movie revolves around the character of Steve (RJ Mitte), who returns to his small hometown after several years to attend the funeral of his estranged father. Upon reaching the town, he finds out that his father has left him a message to meet him at a local bar called 'The Oak Room'. When Steve arrives at the bar, he meets a bartender named Paul (Peter Outerbridge), who he used to know as a teenager. As the two men strike up a conversation, it becomes evident that there is a lot of animosity between them.

The movie then takes an unexpected turn when Paul asks Steve to tell him a story. Steve, who is reluctant at first, starts telling Paul a story about a man who got lost in the woods in a blizzard and ended up finding shelter in a remote cabin. However, the story is soon interrupted when another man walks into the bar and takes Paul hostage at gunpoint.

This is where the movie gets really interesting because it thrusts the audience into a world of storytelling where nothing is as it seems. The characters in the movie start telling stories to each other, and as the audience watches, it becomes increasingly difficult to separate what is real from what is fiction. The movie bounces back and forth between different stories and timelines, but it never feels disjointed or confusing.

The Oak Room is a movie that is steeped in atmosphere and tension. The small-town bar setting is eerie and claustrophobic, and the movie's impressive score adds to the overall feeling of unease. As the characters in the movie tell their stories, the tension builds, and the audience is left wondering how all of the pieces will fit together.

One of the strengths of The Oak Room is the performances of the cast. RJ Mitte is excellent as Steve, portraying a character who is both vulnerable and haunted by his past. Peter Outerbridge is equally impressive as Paul, a character who oozes menace and danger with every word he speaks. Ari Millen, who plays the man who takes Paul hostage, is also fantastic, bringing a sense of unpredictability to the movie.

Overall, The Oak Room is a movie that is equal parts thriller and mystery. It is a movie that asks the audience to pay attention and keep up with the numerous twists and turns. The movie's storytelling structure is inventive and keeps the audience engaged, while the performances of the cast help to elevate the material.

In summary, The Oak Room is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good mystery or thriller movie. It is a movie that rewards close attention and rewards the audience with a satisfying payoff. Cody Calahan has done an excellent job of adapting the play to the screen, and the result is a movie that is engaging, entertaining, and suspenseful from start to finish.