Cube | Rotten Tomatoes

[img] Vincenzo Natali is the master of surrealist science fiction cinema. Cube was his first ever film but also the one which demonstrated the strongest that he can flesh out true horror simply by manipulating something's appearance. This micro budget thriller held the high watermark until the release of his true masterpiece, Splice. But Cube was a movie that was always really hard to follow, and it's been ripped off many times since it came out. The range of short concept, visually enigmatic horror flicks that it has undoubtedly inspired include the cynical yet ridiculously popular Saw franchise. That said unlike the film's that followed it the death sequences are gruesome and hugely innovative. Although the acting is at times slight, the overall performances flesh out a phenomenal sense of pure panic without resorting to kicking and screaming. The tension of the film cranks up every single minute as plot twists of varying predictabilities further intrigue us into the small world that has been built for us. Not a lot is said about what the titular cube setting is and the unknown motives that are behind it's existence. We are simply dropped right into the action, of which there is impressively very little, and everything we learn about the story is through the eyes of the victims of the horrors that are yet to come. At one key psychological tension between two characters explores how humans take action without asking any questions and how we lack the confidence to inquire the consequences, and how everything we do is to our own benefit. A metaphor of the movie, and 5 minutes of sharp satirical dialogue that is as intelligent as Natali's method of conceptual filmmaking. I thought it was masterfully executed, beautifully lit and effectively atmospheric. A small indie horror gem of the 90's, which to this very day is still unforgivably unheard of.