Some of the best horror movies ask a very simple question of the audience: What would you do in order to survive this situation? Most people who enjoy seeing ravenous zombies and masked serial killers can’t help but put themselves in the characters’ shoes and try to figure out how they could survive, and even save others. After all, when watching a movie most people identify with the protagonist, and that is usually the person who lives to the end. So trying to figure out how to outsmart the bad guy is a big part of the fun – especially when there is no actual risk involved.
In the upcoming film The Belko Experiment, written and produced by James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2) and directed by Greg McLean (Wolf Creek), it should be pretty easy to imagine being in the horrific scenario that the movie puts forth. The story is about an office building in Bogotá staffed by American employees. One day the building is entirely sealed shut with everyone inside, and a mysterious voice starts ordering the employees to kill… or be killed. With no monsters or magic, just a group of helpless and vulnerable people at the mercy of someone who appears to be rather vicious and evil, the feeling that this could happen to you is not that far of a stretch.
In a newly released clip, seen above, many of the employees of Belko discuss their options now that they have been given their command – kill 30 people, or even more will die. At this point it’s pretty obvious their captor has done something to frighten them. No one expresses any doubt that the person making this demand might not be able to follow through on their threats.
The conversation appears to be dominated by three characters in particular. Leading the “meeting” is Barry Norris, played by Tony Goldwyn (Scandal), who receives support from Terry Winters, played by Owain Yeoman (The Mentalist), and opposition from Mike Milch, played by John Gallagher Jr. (10 Cloverfield Lane). Mike seems to be the only person arguing against the killing of some to save others, all the other voices in the room seem to agree with Barry, including a bullying character played by John C. McGinley (Scrubs).
Mike does bring up one interesting point in the final moments of the clip, they have no reason to believe that anyone will be allowed to live, even if they do commit murder to survive. It’s a good point, they are all hostages with no means of escape, and the last thing their captor probably wants is be for this story to somehow get out. As anyone who has seen the trailers for The Belko Experiment knows, Mike’s logic is not going to have the desired effect.
While not every character talks in the clip, numerous other actors in the film are seen, including Abraham Benrubi (ER), Rusty Schwimmer (Days of Our Lives), and Sean Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy).
Next: The Belko Experiment Trailer #3
Key Release Dates
The Belko Experiment
Release Date:2017-03-17
