The board game Clue, the card game Mafia, and, the most recently popularized mobile game Among Us: each of these fun, titular pass times all share one common objective–in order to win, you must kill your victim(s) and get away with it. Playing the role of murderer is the biggest thrill of these games as you watch those all around you suffer under your wrath. However, at the end of the day, it’s an opportunity to play a cold-blooded criminal for just a short while, and a role we would want to avoid committing in real life.
But, unless you agree with what one of the characters says in the film, “Who hasn’t daydreamed about killing someone?”
Now enters our three main characters Adam (Erich Lane), Chris (Mikelen Walker), and Barrett (Henry Alexander Kelly). They are intense board game enthusiasts to the point where they ambitiously created their own game called Murder Bury Win. Their intention is to achieve fame and fortune by having their own game rival that of the popular Murder Wall, which was created by their indie board game hero and successful entrepreneur V.V. Stubbs (Craig Cackowski). Even though they lose their opportunity to meet the deadline to crowdfund for their project, they receive an anonymous call from a buyer who is willing to contribute to their board game’s success! However, in order to meet their gracious funder, they must meet him without contacting anyone else about their game or about their meeting. As they approach the rendezvous, abandoned-like, shaggy cabin in the woods far away from civilization, they become anxious about what is in store for them… it feels like a dangerous bear trap is waiting to be sprung.
Honestly, the synopsis that is written above will suffice before watching the film because Murder Bury Win benefits from knowing less to enjoy it more–after all, that’s how I experienced this film and I am glad that I just went in without knowing much else about it!
Although you can compare how the film’s excellent balance of witty, dark humor with violence is somewhat inspired by Jordan Peele, Murder Bury Win is a great indie production with a refreshing concept of applying the essence of a board game as their guide out of their problems. The experience of watching these characters think and act on their actions is riveting by allowing the audience to feel like they are a part of their inner circle to carefully formulate the next move. However, as each logical step becomes a daring step forward, eyes closed approach to the inevitable, never ending abyss of chaos and roaring fire of no return, our ability to watch and empathize with the main characters’ suffering becomes the biggest and most memorable thrill of the whole film. And the angst is definitely accented by the stimulating, video game-esque soundtrack.
The dynamic of how our wonderful characters interact with each other is the ultimate driver and highlight of the plot. Director Michael Lovan’s direction of subtlety in their dialogue, blocking, and attire does a fantastic job in revealing who our characters truly are, where our characters lie within the spectrum of morality, and foreshadowing their motives and consequential actions towards the finale of the film. The movie avoids being a hyperbolic story of good versus evil and, instead, becomes a narrative where the characters, especially Chris, see the pros and cons of pursuing both bad and good decisions. This sorting of ideals achieves in allowing the audience to be as lost as Chris is to finally make the right choice, fueling the increasing tension to resolve their problem while sparking aggression towards each other. The biggest questions that they ultimately face are at what cost does it take to pursue success and how should the concept of winning be defined?
Find out by watching Murder Bury Win, available now until the end of today ($10 purchase at the online Austin Film Festival). Happy Watching! 🙂
Rating
9.5/10
Would I Watch Again?
Yes! 90 minutes really does fly by watching it! Shout to all the cast and crew for your dedicated work in this project! I wish you all the best in your future endeavors!
Would I Recommend?
Definitely! I would rate this as a PG-13 movie for just the language and the presence of lots of blood. Most of the violence happens off-screen so viewer discretion advised.
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Christine's Cinema Corner