Nemesis Game (2003)

An introspective university student with an unhealthy interest in riddles and puzzles becomes involved in a sinister mind game that results in murder.

Director:

Jesse Warn

Writer:

Jesse Warn

Stars:

Carly Pope, Ian McShane, Adrian Paul

4 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Carly Pope	...	Sara Novak
Ian McShane	...	Jeff Novak
Adrian Paul	...	Vern
Rena Owen	...	Emily Gray
Brendan Fehr	...	Dennis Reveni
Jay Baruchel	...	Jeremy Curran
Vanessa Guy	...	Marie
Eve Crawford	...	Lea
Richard Fitzpatrick	...	Tom
Ron Pardo	...	News Anchor #1
Tony Munch	...	Bearded Man
Michael Kinney	...	Doctor
Philip Williams	...	Police MC
Victor A. Young	...	Professor (as Victor Young)
J.C. Kenny	...	Reporter #2

Storyline

Sara Novak is an introverted college student with a few skeletons in her closet. Shying away from classmates, she prefers to spend time with Vern, an older comic store owner who shares her passion for mind games and riddles. But when the riddles she solves lead to the deaths of those around her, she realizes the riddles are more than a simple game.....

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Plot Keywords:

reference to rene descartes | riddle | game | student | mind game | 

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Taglines:

The only thing more terrifying then playing it...is winning

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Genres:

Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The subway station in the movie is an abandoned station at Bay Street on the Toronto subway. At one time it was used when trains switched from the Bloor-Danforth line to the Yonge line. When that was discontinued because of switching problems, the station was abandoned. The Toronto Transit Commission rents it out for movie shoots such as this. At one point it had been made to look like a New York subway station and the TTC wished to keep it that way. However the fire department vetoed that because the material used in the "disguise" presented a fire hazard.

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Goofs

The destination "linen" on the subway trains clearly read OUT OF SERVICE.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Jeff Novak: [entering interrogation room] Hi Emily. Didn't need to be like this, did it?
Jeff Novak: "Emily Gray. First class artist, high school. Graduated Vancouver." Everything seems to have gone along swimmingly until 1995. Then, 1996 comes along, and wow. You tried to drown a little boy in a lake, out of the blue. You served 5 years on that, you're out for only one, and then this mess. You want to tell me what's going on? I mean you do right? I mean that's why you confessed. I'm all ears, Emily? If ...
[...]

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Connections

References Heavy Gear (1997)

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Soundtracks

Red
Performed by Elbow
Written by Guy Garvey, Mark Potter, Craig Potter, Richard Jupp and Pete Turner
Published by Salvation Music Ltd
(C) Salvation Music Ltd and Warner Chappell Music Ltd
By Kind Permission of Warner/Chappell Music Ltd
Courtesy of V2 Records

User Reviews

Much Better Than Expected

I originally rented this direct-to-video film because it stars one of my favorite actors (Adrian Paul). I expected this cheesy boring film that would be average. Instead what I found was a movie that kept me guessing until the very end. The film has a superb ending and good acting all the way around. Sarah Novak is a fan of riddles. When she stumbles across a game where riddle after riddle are solved for fun, she gets herself in over her head when the game turns deadly. The 'Nemesis Game' as it comes to be called is supposed to end with one final riddle. If the player gets the riddle correct and writes the answer on the wall, then they are shown 'the design' of the game; a design that is supposed to make them insane. I know, I know the story sounds weird and stupid. But I assure you this is a fabulous film. It opens kind of slow but you must give it a chance to get going. Once it does, it doesn't let go. This very unique plot and inventive ending leave you wanting to know more of story at the end. At the end it leaves you saying 'wow.' This film is highly recommended.

Details

Country:

Canada New Zealand UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 September 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

A játék neve: Végzet

Filming Locations:

New Zealand

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lions Gate Films, Emily Gray Productions Ltd., Paper Pictures Inc.

Technical Specs

Color:

Color