HE PAID FOR HIS CRIMES AND WOULD PAY FOR THEM AGAIN
A VISCERAL, GRUELLING, THOUGHT-PROVOKING, AFFECTING EXPERIENCE THAT POSES MORAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS
A BLOODY ASYLUM SPOILER FREE REVIEW
I was given a sneak peak at this new horror movie from British based film-maker, author, actor Matt Shaw.
‘Box’ is based on the director/producer/co-writer’s number one best-selling novella of the same name, and sees a man (Shaw) waking up to find himself in a small, empty box. Not knowing where he is, or why.
From the opening black screen it grabs from the very first, never loosening its ever-tightening grip; with twists and turns this reviewer did not see coming at all. A tight, stripped back to the bare bones psychological horror, and thus far Shaw’s most accomplished film. Gut-wrenching moments are almost unbearable to watch, but impossible to tear your eyes away from. You may never eat a chocolate rice cake ever again!
Matt Shaw three time nominee of ‘The Splatterpunk Award,’ as well as being a prolific writer, in the last few years has evolved into an award winning film-maker. After over 200 publications, mostly in the horror genre, he decided to turn his hand to movies, and in 2018 released first feature film. This was quickly followed by horror-comedy ‘Next Door.’ Up next is slasher movie ‘The Call,’ which, as I write this, is in post-production. His fourth feature ‘Chained’ (five if you count the crazy, insane, sci-fi horror comedy ‘They Came from the Sky, I Saw Them’) is currently in pre-production.
My first taste was his debut Monster. A brutal, gut-wrenching psychological infused horror, the review of which can be read here:
‘Box’ takes the contained approach of his first two movies to a whole other level by virtue of being filmed in an actual box. “It was made with just four people [in 2020 in the UK] during the pandemic,” Shaw said. “We wanted to keep making films despite the rules of six, etc. It was a struggle with long hours but we managed to get it done in under a week. The post-production, however, took a few months!”
With only three credited actors and Shaw, the lead, on screen almost the entire time, this may appear to be an ego-trip on his part, yet is not. He delivers a fully fleshed out, engaging character, and then some. Hinging on his performance, he convincingly drives the narrative, showing himself to be an assured actor. Giving a completely uninhibited portrayal of a man who….. Well that would be too much of a spoiler!
To be honest at 73 minutes it seemed this could be over-stretching a concept that appeared to be better suited to a short movie. However, that could not be further from the truth. First to last it was absolutely riveting, and by the finale felt far too short.
‘Box’ is an unconventional, profound, thought-provoking, cerebral horror that poses moral, and philosophical questions. A visceral, gruelling, affecting experience that lingers in the mind long after the unexpected final act.
Now available to rent or buy digitally.
MR GEEKY 
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