Watch Choose or Die

Choose or Die, released in 2022, is a British horror-thriller film that intertwines elements of retro gaming and sinister, supernatural occurrences. Directed by Toby Meakins in his feature directorial debut, the movie features a talented cast including Iola Evans, Asa Butterfield, and horror icon Robert Englund, best known for his portrayal of Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise.

At the forefront of this narrative is Kayla, played by Iola Evans, a young, down-on-her-luck woman struggling to make ends meet and caring for her ailing mother. Her life is a daily grind of adversity that seems endless, and she is desperately searching for an escape, an opportunity, something to break the monotonous hardship her existence has become. Kayla's life is a stark contrast to the vibrant, pixelated worlds found in the video games she plays to briefly forget her reality.

Enter CURS>R, a seemingly innocuous 1980s computer game that Kayla discovers among a heap of discarded items. With a grand prize of $125,000 at stake, the game’s monetary reward presents the tantalizing possibility of a life-changing windfall. Asa Butterfield plays Isaac, Kayla's close friend and tech-savvy confidant, who also finds himself drawn into the pixelated web of CURS>R.

Their world takes a dark turn when Kayla boots up CURS>R, unwittingly triggering a series of deadly choices that escalate in brutality and stakes. The game is no ordinary one; it operates on a malevolent logic that blurs the lines between the digital realm and reality. It forces its players to make unimaginable decisions under the threat of dire consequences, dragging them deeper into a terrifying situation where the rules are dictated by the sinister programming of CURS>R.

Robert Englund adds to the ominous atmosphere as the chilling voice of the game, a character that evokes memories of his famed horror roles. His performance is imbic with malice, drawing players into the twisted trials they must face. As the voice of the game, Englund's character becomes the harbinger of the high-stakes terror that challenges Kayla and Isaac’s sanity, will, and morality.

As Kayla and Isaac delve deeper into the game's horrifying reality, they are forced to confront a myriad of puzzles and challenges that test not just their intellect but also their resilience and morality. The game's relentless progression leaves them no time to come to terms with the spiraling nightmare they find themselves in. Instead, they must rapidly adapt, react, and choose, lest they become victims of the game's ruthless winnowing.

The horror in Choose or Die lies not just in the chilling suspense of the game but also in the psychological torment it inflicts on its characters. It draws viewers into a maelstrom of existential dread with its high-concept premise, exploring themes of choice, consequence, and the human capacity for self-preservation under dire circumstances. The film is a blend of the traditional elements fans of the genre relish—creeping tension, jump scares, and an undercurrent of the grotesque—tempered with a contemplative look at digital escapism and its potential to invade and alter reality.

The film's aesthetics pay homage to the era it draws its eerie gaming lore from, utilizing a color palette and design elements reminiscent of '80s computer graphics and pop culture. This stylistic choice provides a stark, sometimes unnerving contrast to the dark thematic content of the story, allowing for a visually striking experience that further immerses viewers in the film's unique universe.

The game within Choose or Die becomes a character in and of itself, an enigmatic antagonist with an unknown origin and inscrutable motives. As characters race to unravel its secrets and search for a means to end the deadly game, the tension mounts, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats. The sense of time running out is palpable, and the cost of each choice is felt deeply, giving the film an intensity that keeps viewers engrossed until the very end.

Overall, Choose or Die offers a chilling ride that melds nostalgia with contemporary horror, pushing characters to their physical and ethical limits. For the viewer, the film serves as a twisted reminder of the dark corners that hide within our digital indulgences and the high price that can come with seemingly innocuous choices. With its adept cast and a storyline that grips the imagination, Choose or Die presents a fresh take on the horror genre, ensuring it is an experience that lingers in the mind long after the final credits roll.

Choose or Die is a 2022 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.8 and a MetaScore of 43.