Cry_Wolf (2005)

Eight unsuspecting high school seniors at a posh boarding school, who delight themselves on playing games of lies, come face-to-face with terror and learn that nobody believes a liar - even when they're telling the truth.

Director:

Jeff Wadlow

Writers:

Beau Bauman, Jeff Wadlow

Stars:

Julian Morris, Lindy Booth, Jared Padalecki

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Julian Morris	...	Owen Matthews
Lindy Booth	...	Dodger
Jared Padalecki	...	Tom
Jon Bon Jovi	...	Rich Walker
Sandra McCoy	...	Mercedes
Kristy Wu	...	Regina
Jesse Janzen	...	Randall
Paul James	...	Lewis
Anna Deavere Smith	...	Headmaster Tinsley
Ethan Cohn	...	Graham
Gary Cole	...	Mr. Matthews
Erica Yates	...	Becky
Jane Beard	...	Miss McNally
Sabrina Gilbert	...	Game Player
Ashleigh Pixley	...	Game Player

Storyline

Nobody believes a liar - even when they're telling the truth. When a young woman is found murdered, a group of local high school students decide to further scare their classmates by spreading online rumors that a serial killer called "The Wolf" is on the loose. By describing "The Wolf's" next victims, the students' game is to see how many people they can convince - and if anyone will uncover the lie. But when the described victims actually do start turning up dead, suddenly no one knows where the lies end and the truth begins. As someone or something begins hunting the students themselves, the game turns terrifyingly real.

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Plot Keywords:

game | serial killer | e mail | teen | rumor | 

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Taglines:

At Westlakes High, There's A New Game. Avoid Suspicion. Manipulate Your Friends. Eliminate Your Enimies.

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence, terror, disturbing images, language, sexuality and a brief drug reference

Details

Official Sites:

Enigma Media Official Fan Team

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 September 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Living the Lie

Filming Locations:

Collegiate School - 103 N. Mooreland Rd, Richmond, Virginia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$61,155 (Mexico) (19 May 2006)

Gross:

$61,155 (Mexico) (19 May 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rogue Pictures, Hypnotic

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the rehearsals for the lying game, the cast had to stay in character. If they ever said their own names by mistake, Wadlow would kick them out the room.

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Goofs

When Dodger and Owen are talking outside the Halloween party, Dodger's cape is over her right shoulder. When Owen walks away after they finish talking, her cape is pulled back off of her shoulder.

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Quotes

Regina: And they only just found that girls body today because it was dragged through the woods by a wolf.
Tom: Yeah listen, the guy blew her head off. Then just let the wild life go to town.
Mercedes: Why's it have to be a guy?
Tom: Serial killers are always guy.
Regina: Just the one's that get caught baby.
Mercedes: Serial means more than one jackass.
Tom: You're not taking your SAT book to my lake house this weekend are you?

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Connections

References Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Monkey"
Written by Alan Sparhawk, Mimi Parker and Zak Michelletti
Performed by Low
Courtesy of Sub Pop Records

User Reviews

PG-13? Hey, it makes sense for once!

A surprisingly intelligent suspense/horror film. Notice the dual title I gave to it? Yeah, that's because it takes elements from both to make a much better movie. I'm really surprised they canceled the critics' screenings for this because I honestly think it would get good reviews from quite a few critics. Maybe I'm wrong.

Either way, it starts off in post-Scream slasher mode before kicking things into gear. It quickly takes on the trappings of the urban legend/parable/whatever that the title is derived from, with a group of spoiled rich kids deciding to trick their private school into thinking there's a killer on campus. Trouble is...there actually might be.

The two leads, Julian Morris and Lindy Booth are both actually very good. Booth, who did almost nothing in the Dawn of the Dead remake, shines brightest, mixing girl-next-door charm with a lying, manipulative alter-ego. And it makes sense because her character uses the former so she can accomplish the latter.

Another surprising stand-out is...Jon Bon Jovi? Yeah, the guy can actually act. He skirts the line a few times but he's definitely believable as an English teacher. His story arc is also kind of funny when you consider his career, and what that likely entailed during the '80s. So once again, not a stretch.

The only flaw I could see with the movie is that it seems a little calculating. At points, it seems like it's intentionally trying to avoid teen horror clichés. For example, a victim is being chased and instead of running out a door, he tries to trick the killer into thinking he has. Smart. Probably too smart for a high school student, but at least it's a change from the same run, scream, hide, run again, knife to the throat routine.

Speaking of that tired old routine and the rating it usually causes, this is probably the first time in years where I actually felt a PG-13 rating was warranted. Making this an R horror movie would've killed any semblance of logic. Here the violence isn't necessarily what's supposed to frighten you. Human nature is. Their lies are what bring about the conclusion, which is infinitely darker than anything Jason Vorhees has ever done.