HomeFilmArrow Video Frightfest 2018: Ravers review

Arrow Video Frightfest 2018: Ravers review

Germaphobic journalist Becky (Georgia Hirst) takes the advice of her editor (Natasha Henstridge) and decides to step outside of her comfort zone while researching her latest article. She reluctantly agrees to go to a rave with her cousin Ozzy (Danny Kirrane) after being swayed by finding out her crush Hannah (Manpreet Brambra) is going. Turning up to the rave covered in head to toe so as to avoid germs, Becky soon finds herself in the middle of a nightmare when a contaminated energy drink turns the ravers into violent lunatics.

The latest film from DJ, record company owner and film-maker Bernhard Pucher, Ravers was only finished weeks ago especially for Arrow Video FrightFest. With most of the cast in attendance, anticipation was high for the film and it proved to be an unexpected crowd-pleaser. The story is fairly simple and after a little bit of scene-setting, which serves to give Becky some character development, Ravers really gets into the swing of things.

Ravers
Credit: Iron Box Films

The rave the group attends takes place in a warehouse that was closed down after a contaminated batch of its energy drink product caused a worker to lose his mind and murder everyone. Drug dealer Vince (Kamal Angelo Bolden) is on hand to make sure all of the party goers have access to whatever high they want but when he finds a few crates of the energy drink, he sees an opportunity to make some money from it. That quickly turns into a lost opportunity as the rave organiser announces they are free so everyone starts to help themselves.

Once things start to turn, Becky is left with Ozzy and new friend Jen (Maria Volk) to try and get out of the rave, and save the people they can. As the rave continues to progress, and the drugs increase, those affected by the drink start to get more and more erratic. It’s at this point you need to make a decision as to whether or not you want to go along for the ride. There’s some attempt at science to explain what’s going on but by that point things have already become pretty silly. The OTT factor is ramped up for the final act and there were lots of laughs, some intentional and some possibly not.

Ravers
Credit: Iron Box Films

The ensemble cast pull together for a solid performance. Danny Kirrane, who also star’s in F.U.B.A.R. which is showing this weekend, is one of the standouts and lead Georgia Hirst acquits herself very well in her first leading role. Most of the cast is English but they all put on convincing American accents as the film is supposed to be set in Chicago. Some of the visual effects are a lot fo fun too and at times quite literally eye-popping.

Ravers is the epitome of a guilty pleasure. It’s very silly in places and you know from the opening that Becky is going to be put through test after test to try and overcome her phobia and save the day. One thing that is a shame is that the black male character, Vince, is the villain and a drug deal. It feels a little lazy, especially when he’s the only male actor of colour in the lead cast. Other than that, Ravers is a lot of fun and a real popcorn flick that breezes by at a nice pace with plenty to enjoy.

Cast: Natasha Henstridge, Georgia Hirst, Manpreet Bambra, Eve Connolly, Dave Johns, Orson Chaplin Director: Bernhard Pucher Writer: Luke Foster Certificate: TBC Duration: 90 mins Released by: Iron Box Films

Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip is the owner and Editor of Entertainment Focus, and the Managing Director of PiƱata Media. With over 19 years of journalism experience, Pip has interviewed some of the biggest stars in the entertainment world. He is also a qualified digital marketing expert with over 20 years of experience.

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