An unidentified sniper with a high-powered semi-automatic rifle is picking off the last residents of a decaying inner city tower block. He has control of the power to the building and has also set booby traps to prevent them leaving the top floor. The scene is set for a ferocious game of cat and mouse in this tense low-budget British thriller.
What makes it good and watchable? The characters are everyday people believably portrayed by an accomplished cast of performers – which helps a great deal. Sheridan Smith is excellent as our vaguely slatternly heroine and Jack O'Connell stands out as Kurtis, the block's resident criminal running a protection racket on the others. His particular cavalier brand of sociopathic thuggery makes for compelling watching.
Tension mounts as the group in-fight and bicker and are knocked off one by one as they try various mode of escape. Their plight is linked to the recent murder of a young man in building whereby they failed to help the police with their enquiries. Someone seems to be holding them responsible for not contributing to the perpetrators being caught. But who?
The identity of the antagonist – when revealed – is a bit of a letdown and stretches credibility, but apart from that it's a gripping little piece that achieves effective results with a minuscule budget. The gore content isn't massive and the special effects are sparse, but the minimalist overall style keeps it lean and fast-paced. If you enjoy serial-killer sniper flicks, like TARGETS, TWO MINUTE WARNING, PHONE BOOTH, etc, then you'll get a blast out of this little gem.
What makes it good and watchable? The characters are everyday people believably portrayed by an accomplished cast of performers – which helps a great deal. Sheridan Smith is excellent as our vaguely slatternly heroine and Jack O'Connell stands out as Kurtis, the block's resident criminal running a protection racket on the others. His particular cavalier brand of sociopathic thuggery makes for compelling watching.
Tension mounts as the group in-fight and bicker and are knocked off one by one as they try various mode of escape. Their plight is linked to the recent murder of a young man in building whereby they failed to help the police with their enquiries. Someone seems to be holding them responsible for not contributing to the perpetrators being caught. But who?
The identity of the antagonist – when revealed – is a bit of a letdown and stretches credibility, but apart from that it's a gripping little piece that achieves effective results with a minuscule budget. The gore content isn't massive and the special effects are sparse, but the minimalist overall style keeps it lean and fast-paced. If you enjoy serial-killer sniper flicks, like TARGETS, TWO MINUTE WARNING, PHONE BOOTH, etc, then you'll get a blast out of this little gem.