An innocent game turns deadly in SYFY’s ‘Truth or Dare’
Truth or Dare, the latest film from Nick Simon, brings bloodshed and carnage when it premieres on the SYFY Channel October 8th.
Truth or Dare, the latest film from director Nick Simon (The Girl in the Photographs), written by Thommy Hutson and Ethan Lawrence, shows just how dangerous the game of truth or dare can be when played at a haunted house during Halloween. The film stars Cassandra Scerbo (Sharknado), Brytni Sarpy (“General Hospital”), Mason Dye (Flowers in the Attic), Harvey Guillen (The Internship), Luke Baines (The Girl in the Photographs) and Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street).
SYFY movies tend to get a bad rep, and though I’m not saying that every film that comes from that studio deserves Oscar worthy attention, there are a few films that do deserve some recognition. Truth or Dare is one of those films and though it isn’t re-inventing the wheel, it still manages to produce an atmosphere that’s perfect for the Halloween season along with some bloodshed and laughs. Horror doesn’t have to always be depressing and bleak, it’s okay to have a movie that allows you to shut off your brain and have a little fun, and Truth or Dare does exactly that.
Truth or Dare tells the story of a group of college friends who stay the weekend at a “Haunted Rental” (similar to AirBnB) during Halloween. After copious amounts of alcohol, they decide to play truth or dare since rumor is the game killed a slew of teenagers a decade earlier. However, what starts off as innocent fun soon turns deadly when the dares turn dangerous and the truth exposes the secrets held within the group. As friends start to die, the group must find a way to outrun the game before each person meets their bloody demise.
via SYFY
“I should have picked ‘truth’!”
To be honest, the majority of the acting does leave a bit to be desired, but I still managed to find myself drawn to a few characters. Ever since I saw Luke Baines in The Girl in the Photographs I’ve been anxiously awaiting to see him in a new role. As the character Carter, he’s responsible for bringing everyone together and renting out the haunted house. Though I wish his character had been fleshed out more, especially when we learn of his transgressions, Baines was once again able to showcase his talent as an actor.
Veteran horror actress Heather Langenkamp makes a great cameo in the film as Donna, one of the surviving teenagers from a decade ago, I also really enjoyed Harvey Guillen, who plays Holt, the main source of comic relief as that helped in deflating some of the tension brought on by the other characters. Lastly, I enjoyed seeing Cassandra Scerbo outside of the Sharknado movies, though she is one of the few bright spots in that franchise, as I think when given the right roles she can really shine as an actress.
via SYFY
As someone who has played truth or dare, because come on, everyone has played truth or dare, I appreciated how each of the dares corresponded to something that the characters had done in the past, whether that be a wrongdoing or a crime that was committed. As each dare is completed, the one after becomes much more extreme and intense resulting in a much higher body count. In a way, this film has a lot of similarities to the SAW franchise in terms of a game that participants have no choice but to play.
In terms of the kills, Truth or Dare had some really creative ways to bring about bloodshed and carnage. Whether it was eating someone’s skin or hacking off limbs, there was no shortage of pain and destruction that this group of friends faced. What’s even better is that the majority of the slayings were done with practical effects, which I greatly appreciated. SYFY films have a tendency to fall heavily on CGI which can become annoying very quickly, so I was happy to learn that director Nick Simon relied mostly on practical effects and stunt work to achieve a lot of what was envisioned.
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Overall, Truth or Dare may not be the best film to come out this year but it offers audiences a fun popcorn-flick to get into the Halloween spirit. With a game that many of us have played in our youth (and some who still play today), as the focal point it helps in establishing a basis of nostalgia while also including the horror elements we all love in our films. If you need a break from movies that rely heavily on misery and despair, and want something with a bit more pep in its step, than I highly suggest tuning into Truth or Dare when it premieres on the SYFY channel Oct. 8, 2018 at 9pm/8pm central.
For more bloody good horror content from Shannon, visit her website Nightmarish Conjurings.