Stay Alive (2006)

Character October Release Date July 28, 2006 (UK), March 24, 2006 (US) Directed By William Brent Bell Written By William Brent Bell, Matthew Peterman Genre Horror, Thriller MPAA Rating PG-13 (for horror violence, disturbing images, language, brief sexual and drug content) Cast Highlights …Jon Foster …Samaire Armstrong …Franki Muniz …Jimmi Simpson Filming Locations Kenner, Louisiana, US New Orleans, Louisiana, US

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This pop culture-laden fright-fest takes the legend of Countess Elizabeth Bathory of Hungary and relocates it in the inherently creepy locale of New Orleans. The usual cast of motley and none-too-bright teenagers is assembled and attached to quirky names–smartass Phineas (Jimmi Simpson) and his Goth-girl sister, October (Sophia Bush), hunky protagonist Hutch (Jon Foster), and tech-head Swink (Frankie Muniz), to name a few–and they all have one thing in common: the love of gaming. When Hutch’s best friend Loomis (Milo Ventimiglia) is a victim in a violent massacre, Hutch ends up with the game he was playing just before he died. Called “Stay Alive,” the game is technically illegal and Hutch and his friends can’t resist booting it up. The game resurrects the Countess, who centuries ago was walled up in her tower when her crimes were discovered (she is said to have brutally murdered 650 servant girls and bathed in their blood). Now, she is fulfilling her vow to return to reassume her reign of terror. This time, however, her victims are gamers who will die in the same way in life as they do in the game.

The video game itself becomes a character in the film, showing off excellent 3-D, cinematic effects, and creating an effectively spooky atmosphere with a memorable, if derivative, aesthetic. The gore never escalates past PG-13 levels but the scare tactics are adept, while the Countess herself, with pasty skin and high-necked red dress, is a movie monster worthy of canonization.