Confession time! Whenever I receive a screener from Mahal Empire Productions, I know I’m in for a wild ride! Mahal brothers Sonny and Michael have a way of bringing clever stories with strong characters to shake your presumptions to the core, leaving you hanging with the “did that just happen?” question of the year. Thus, was the same giddy feeling I felt when Death Count appeared in my inbox.  

Death Count is a game of who can last the longest. It sounds cliché after films such as Saw, Would You Rather, The Employer and Cube but this goes into a new dimension of “gorrific” terror.  

Eight average people awake in individual cells with their necks in collars, shackled to the wall. Each has a caged monitor mounted on the wall, and a chest full of crude instruments such as hammers, knives, box cutters and pliers. Of course, we know now that this is going to be a bloody mess of a trip!  

They are soon greeted by a mysterious face, half of which is covered by armor while he dons a monk-like robe. His voice is intense and focused as the instructions are dictated to these abducted prisoners: Play along for online “likes” and you will not be eliminated.  

Abruptly, we are treated to “what if we don’t play this twisted, mind-fucked game” and instantly, heads explode and havoc ensues. Apparently, the players were unaware of the probe inserted into the back of their necks which can easily be detonated by this host, The Warden. Watching Mandylor in this menacing role just brings out thrilling pleasure of seeing him in an exceptional element – he is perfection.  

As the game continues, panic sets in while we watch one pull off a thumb nail, another carve up his head and even one hammers his hand into hamburger meat. Yep. This is unequivocally one brutally fun movie!  

Rachel (Sarah French) seems to be the only captured resident who tries to figure out the commonality between her fellow cellmates within this malicious competition. Aside from the fact that everyone in these cells work at the same nearby school, what have they done to deserve such sadistic treatment from a stranger? Hmmm….IS he a stranger? As Rachel gets closer to uncovering the distressing truth, the tasks become more sinister.  

This wouldn’t be a complete review without the mention of the ever witty and doubtful Detective Casey (Michael Madsen) who finds humor in the assumption that the live stream of this “And Then There Were” labeled contest. In fact, Detective Casey references this through the mention of the similarities to “SeeSAW 69”. Hilarious!

If you happened to catch the Netflix movie, Clickbait, then you’ll understand the parallels between the internet usage to build “likes” and thereby save your favorite detainee. The question is…who do you prefer to see die next and how?