Cert 18
87 mins
BBFC advice: Strong bloody violence, strong sex, drug use, strong language
Not since Eden Lake and Funny Games has my stomach turned quite as much.
But unlike the aforementioned movies, E.L. Katz's Cheap Thrills does have a point. Namely, how deep a desperate person would dredge in the pursuit of money.
Pat Healy plays Craig who has been threatened with an eviction notice on the same day as he loses his job.
He goes to a bar to drown his sorrows and bumps into a school friend (Ethan Embry), who he hasn't seen for five years.
He agrees to 'just one drink' but that turns into several more and the pair are then 'befriended' by a cash-flasher (David Koechner) and his much younger wife (Sara Paxton).
Their rich new buddy offers them hundreds of dollars for what, at first, seem innocuous dares but, progressively, the stakes are increased both in what he asks them to do and the money on offer.
Cheap Thrills poses a simple question over how far would a person be prepared to be degraded if they were offered life-changing cash.
Healy and Embry spin off each other splendidly as competitors for the winnings and Koechner deserves special mention. He has an eclectic CV and his name doesn't always guarantee quality (Piranha 3DD??!!) but here he combines alluring and evil superbly.
Katz's movie is just a bit too nasty for me to give it whole-hearted recommendation but those who enjoy their horrors raw and mean will go for this.
I missed Cheap Thrills on its brief cinema run, so caught it on itunes.
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: yes
Nudity: yes
Overall ratings: 6/10