Game

There’s little in the way of dialogue at the start of Game with the opening act built around a car accident in a rural area that has left David (Marc Bessant) hanging upside down unable to free his seatbelt. Through flashbacks the viewer learns how he got himself in the mess.

Come day he’s still in the car and made little to no process. Uncomfortable as he trapped in the car his body’s call of nature begins to make things much worse. And then he’s attacked by a dog that he kills.

The next morning a Poacher (Jason Williamson) is sitting nearby drinking what could be fruit juice. David has killed his dog and while he ponders what to do, he mentally and physically tortures David by placing the beverage just out of reach.

There then follows a diatribe where the Poacher lets rip at what he sees in David as a privileged class that have no interest in anything other than themselves. As we learn, there are personal issues here. Meanwhile David bides his time and his response is subtly brutal.

Directed by John Minton, based on ideas from Minton, Bessant and Geoff Barrow, the final screenplay by Rob Williams, Game threatens to go off in a number of directions most obviously The Most Dangerous Game when Poacher turns up looking for revenge. Will he free David for sport?

With the characters developed as far as necessary Game begins to gel after the long opening sequence that frankly begins to test the patience and it’s a relief when the dog arrives, adding an element of menace.

A two hander the actors make the best of a solid script. Bessant is an experienced actor though this is his first lead. Sleaford Mod Williamson is as far as I can tell making his major acting debut. Both excel in what are quite strange roles.

Set in 1993, which if I remember correctly was when rave was at the peak of its controversy, the use of drugs can’t be ignored. Being as they were mostly hallucinogens there are some trippy directorial flourishes, colourful images blending with Geoff Barrow’s lysergic score.

Game will be in UK cinemas from 21 November 2025. The cast and crew will be attending Q&A’s around the country prior to its nationwide release.