The Belko Experiment (2016)

Director: Greg McLean

Starring: John Gallagher Jr., Tony Goldwyn, Adria Arjona

In a twisted social experiment, eighty Americans are locked in their high-rise corporate office in Bogotá, Colombia, and ordered by an unknown voice coming from the company’s intercom system to participate in a deadly game of kill or be killed.

I knew nothing about ‘The Belko Experiment’ when I decided to watch it, apart from the fact it was directed by Greg McLean, who directed ‘Rogue’ – a film I was highly impressed with. However, upon reading the synopsis, I already had my doubts. I despise these ‘death games/death sport’ movies.

So, we have 80 employees who gets locked into the Belko offices – a building which belongs to the Government. Belko is a non-profit organization. All employees have a tag implanted in their skull. (In time, we learn this is actually an explosive).

Once locked in, a voice over the intercom says most of them will die shortly, and then says two people has to die within the next 30 minutes, or they will face consequences. And this is only just the start of their nightmare, and the ultimate test in human nature.

Tony Goldwyn stars as Belko CEO Barry Norris, who first believes it to be a prank. But when people start dying, his character shifts into survival mode in the worst possible way. John Gallagher Jr stars as protagonist Mike Milch, who happens to be the most sensible and rationale character.

I disliked the premise from the very beginning and ended up hating this film! It is one of the few films I wish I’d never watched. This is immoral, illogical, and disgusting on so many levels. It truly was just horrible! By the end, there’s also no payoff and everything was for nothing! What was the point of this inhumane and barbaric experiment and who conducted and funded it? And most importantly, why?? It is just as illogical as films like ‘Cube’ and ‘The Maze Runner’. This film is an insult to humanity. I can’t recommend it at all.

At the box office, ‘The Belko Experiment’ earned $11.1 million on a $5 million budget.

Would I watch it again? No, definitely not!