Ed Westwick remembers being cast in Gossip Girl
Netflix subscribers are hooked on a new film that's been dubbed a 'gripping thriller', although some viewers were left scratching their heads, mistaking it for a parody.
DarkGame, initially released in North America in February and hitting digital storefronts in November, has now made its way to the streaming giant.
Despite the festive season's bustling line-up, the film has captivated audiences, currently ranking fifth among the most-watched films in the UK.
Only a handful of Christmas films, including two versions of How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Richard Curtis' animated feature That Christmas, and the fresh thriller Carry-On, are outperforming it.
Interestingly, despite its US setting, the film is a British production, largely shot in Bristol.
The plot centres around a tenacious detective, portrayed by Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick, who is in a race against time to halt a sinister game show on the dark web where victims are pitted against each other in a deadly contest. While DarkGame is trending on Netflix, audience opinions on the film's quality are decidedly varied.
The latest release, DarkGame, has sparked a stir amongst thriller enthusiasts, drawing mixed reactions from its audience. One viewer took to Rotten Tomatoes to share their thoughts, stating: "A gripping thriller with untapped potential. DarkGame is a suspenseful ride that throws you into the murky world of online predators and hidden identities.
"While the film falters at times with a predictable plot that borrows from other films, it's the strong performances and intriguing characters that keep you engaged."
For some, the echoes of the horror smash Saw have contributed to the film's appeal.
A fan suggested: "An attempt to be scary and funny plus Gothic and gruesome CAN work. I made it to the end because it's premise of people choosing how they survive (think Saw) is intriguing. This isn't new territory, and at times it's amateur night at the Apollo.....but I am sure a better sequel can be made if enough people see it."
The buzz around DarkGame doesn't stop there. After watching the release, a number of viewers have suggested that it is prime fora follow up.
Voicing their opinion, one person said: "Always care about the ending of a thriller. Loved this ending. Such a twist! Didn't expect it, well done. Probably would need a sequel? ! ".
Nevertheless, not all the feedback was positive, as evidenced by a bewildered viewer who admitted: "I honestly thought this was a parody movie walking in halfway through. Apparently it's not. Which is sad."
DarkGame is streaming on Netflix now.
