Synopsis:
Supernatural horror, based on the eponymous online phenomenon, a ritual conducted in an elevator, in which players attempt to travel to another dimension using a set of rules that can be found online.
Trailer:
Review:
“Elevator Game” is a delightful departure from the typical Dead Teenager Movie genre. Rather than merely tormenting its young protagonists, this Shudder title takes a more empathetic approach. The characters—YouTubers from the channel “Nightmare on Dare Street”—are portrayed with genuine care by director Rebekah McKendry and writer Travis Seppala. Their vlogging escapades lead them to an eerie elevator game, where they awaken a ghoul in an office building for views and likes.
What sets this film apart is its refusal to cynically mock social media teens. Instead, we find ourselves rooting for these young adventurers, even as they unwittingly unleash supernatural forces. The movie’s opening act, bathed in high-key lighting and Disney Channel-like banter, establishes a horror-comedy vibe with a teenage spirit. But as the story unfolds, the softness gives way to menacing horror.
McKendry’s solid craftsmanship keeps the pace engaging, even when the screenplay struggles to stretch its premise to feature-length. The elevator game itself—ascending, descending, and pushing buttons—becomes a quirky, almost absurd challenge. Yet, the tension builds as the group films inside the very elevator from which a woman mysteriously vanished.
While the scares are limited, McKendry employs stylish visuals, including streaks of overt pink and magenta reminiscent of her previous work in “Glorious.” The film balances humor and dread, making us genuinely care about the characters’ fates. And that’s where “Elevator Game” shines—it invites us to invest emotionally in their journey.
In summary, “Elevator Game” may not reinvent the horror wheel, but it offers a fresh perspective and a fun ride. If you’re a horror fan looking for something different, give it a watch on Shudder!
