For some reason when I first saw the trailer I got the impression that it maybe took place in the 1980s (ya know, when hardcore was more relevant). It takes place now, but I can’t help but wonder if the first draft of the screenplay originally took place in the 80s, and perhaps it would’ve worked better as a “period piece,” but I don’t really think it matters. A claustrophobic situation, well directed and acted, will work not matter what the time period.

The trailer gives you a pretty good run down on how things unfold: Punks play a venue, see something they shouldn’t, bad things happen. Keeping the action mostly in the small room does heighten the tension, but also brings the film “closer” to our protagonists. This is often the mark of a horror film that is doing more than the bare minimum. Green Room also deals with a problem horror films must contend with in this day and age: cell phones. The upside of having the plot take place in a skinhead venue- skinheads will break the phone as soon as stuff goes downhill. So that little issue is dealt with quickly, using the plot's own logic.

The performances are what really make the film shine, though. Using actors the audience are familiar with adds more emotion. I liked all the people in this from other things. Alia Shawkat from Arrested Development and Whip It; Anton Yelchin from the bizarre little horror flicks that could Burying the Ex and Odd Thomas; and of course Patrick Stewart from being Patrick Stewart. This was my first exposure to Imogen Poots, an actress I think can go far.

The story doesn’t waste any time at about an hour and a half. Have I seen something like this before? Oh surely- the “stranger comes to town/town folk aren’t happy” concept is super old in horror (and plots in general), skinheads being the town folk here- but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see this. Even if you aren’t a horror fan, I think you will have a pretty great time with this film. Buy the ticket, take the ride. Grade: B+

Additional thought:

I realized something about Patrick Stewart while watching. He doesn’t “Americanize” his voice at all. I don’t know if he ever did really. I mean, when he’s acting around other British actors, he fits in of course, but when he is around American actors his voice doesn’t seem out of place. He doesn’t have a British accent; he has a “Patrick Stewart” accent.

For this film's song pick I just went with Bad Brains’ entire first album.