Hollywood knows the fascination inherent in casting against type. KPBS film critic Beth Accomando says seeing Patrick Stewart go from a Starfleet captain to neo Nazi is a key attraction in the new film Green Room opening this weekend. A punk band takes a questionable gig in the backwoods of Oregon and witnesses a murder. CLIP They didn’t lock the door…Stay put and don’t touch them it’s fine. The musicians quickly find themselves in a stand off with the white supremacists running the club. Patrick Stewart plays the club owner Darcy Banker. CLIP Gentlemen you’re trapped, things have gone south, it will not end well. I wish there was more of Stewart’s nasty and coldly calculating character in the film and less of Anton Yelchin’s unconvincing punk rocker. But even with this imbalance this claustrophobic horror film delivers some hardcore goods. It builds well and doesn’t flinch from effective gore. Beth Accomando, KPBS News.
Companion viewing
"Star Trek: Generations" (1994)
"Murder Party" (2007)
"Blue Ruin" (2013)
Hollywood knows the fascination inherent in casting against type. So seeing Patrick Stewart go from Starfleet captain to neo-Nazi is a key attraction in the new film "Green Room" (opening April 29 in select San Diego theaters).
A punk band takes a questionable gig in the backwoods of Oregon and witnesses a murder. That's the simple premise of "Green Room," the new film by Jeremy Saulnier.
Saulnier stirred buzz for "Blue Ruin" in 2013 but this returns him to horror. The film quickly turns into a standoff between the musicians and the white supremacists running the club. The musicians and a young woman who knew the victim end up in — you guessed it, the green room.
Stewart plays the club owner, Darcy Banker. I wish there was more of Stewart’s nasty and coldly calculating Banker and less of Anton Yelchin’s unconvincing punk rocker. It's always fun to see actors that have built careers playing iconic good guys take on a darker character. Stewart revels in it and he anchors the film in ruthless practicality.
The supporting cast is strong, only Yelchin struck a false note for me.
Saulnier gets props for creating a claustrophobic horror film that delivers some hardcore goods. It builds tension well and doesn’t flinch from effective gore.
"Green Room" is rated R for strong brutal graphic violence, gory images, language and some drug content.
