Crush the Skull from 2015 is a horror-comedy movie directed by Viet Nguyen. The movie stars Walter Michael Bost, Tim Chiou, Chris Dinh, Katie Savoy, and Lauren Reeder. The movie is centered on a team of professional thieves, who prey on helpless homeowners with their high-tech lock-picking equipment. The group is led by Ollie (Chris Dinh) and Blair (Katie Savoy), who specialize in breaking into wealthy homes that are supposedly empty. However, things go awry when the team targets a home that is occupied by a sadistic serial killer, and they're forced to fight for their survival.
The story of Crush the Skull begins with a group of thieves, who are celebrating their latest conquest: a high-tech laboratory with state-of-the-art lock-picking equipment. Ollie and Blair, the two leaders of the group, convince the rest of the team to join them in their latest adventure, which promises to be their most lucrative to date. However, things take a turn for the worse when they break into a home, that they assume is empty, and find out that it's occupied by a serial killer.
The group soon realizes that they are trapped inside the house, and their escape routes are blocked. They find themselves in a game of cat-and-mouse with the killer, who toys with them, moving around the house and luring them into traps. The movie then follows the group's struggle to survive, their efforts to evade the killer, and their attempts to understand the motivations behind the killer's actions.
One of the things that sets Crush the Skull apart from other horror movies is its humor. The movie is genuinely funny, and the jokes are well-placed, which creates a perfect balance between horror and comedy. The chemistry among the cast members is outstanding, making their on-screen presence shine. The humor sometimes turns out to be a saving grace when things get too intense or when the plot takes an unexpected turn.
The plot twists and turns are what make Crush the Skull a gripping and enjoyable horror movie. The movie dares to play with the audience's expectations, using the home invasion trope as a jumping-off point for a multi-layered plot. There are times where the movie feels like a classic slasher, but it then turns into a heist movie or a psychological thriller, adding depth to the story.
The cinematography is another standout feature of Crush the Skull. The movie uses tight shots and close-ups to create a sense of claustrophobia, making the audience feel like they are trapped in the house alongside the characters. The use of shadows and light to create suspense is also remarkable. The movie successfully builds tension through the use of music and sound effects, which helps create an immersive experience for the audience.
The performances from the cast are fantastic, especially Walter Michael Bost, who plays the role of Riley, the comic relief. His dry delivery and witty comments add a lot of humor to the movie. Katie Savoy, who plays Blair, strikes an excellent balance between being tough and vulnerable. Her character is not just the love interest but also one of the leaders of the group, which is refreshing to see. Tim Chiou, who plays the role of Brian, delivers an outstanding performance as the one who cracks under pressure. He effectively conveys the paranoia and fear his character experiences throughout the movie.
To conclude, Crush the Skull is a well-made horror-comedy movie that stands out among other movies in its genre. It effectively balances horror and humor, has an engaging plot, and utilizes cinematography and sound to deliver a genuinely immersive experience. The performances from the cast are also top-notch. The movie delivers what it promises: a fun and entertaining ride that will leave the audience wanting more.
Crush the Skull is a 2015 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.
