Initiation (July 20, 2021)

[MazeRunner]

Whiton University unravels the night a star-athlete is murdered, kicking off a spree of social media slayings that force students to uncover the truth behind the school's hidden secrets and the horrifying meaning of an exclamation point.

Amazon Pre-order

[MazeRunner]

Just finished watching this and it was decent. It takes wayyyy too long for the first kill though. The first kill doesn't happen until the 33 minute mark. The first half hour is pretty slow and dull, and you can tell the college characters were written by a 35-40 year-old screenwriter who had no idea how 18-21 year-olds socialize and speak.

The lead actress co-wrote the screenplay so she cast herself as the lead I guess. She was very wrong for the role. She's 33 playing a college student and she definitely looks her age.

There's 3 fun and somewhat homoerotic death scenes before the entertaining final 20 minutes, but everything between is uninteresting.

I'd probably buy it if it drops to $10 or less.

Has anyone else seen this? Thoughts?

[Scoot79]

I haven't seen it, but I have heard good things about it and it seems like a film that I will enjoy, so I am going to buy it.

[dynoman]

saw it on VOD in May, this movie is reaaaallly lame but the hot guys helped I want to know if its a pressed bd or bd-r, aint paying full price for a BD-r anymore

[Worship.my.wreck]

I'll blind buy

[HorrorBlu]

Originally Posted by dynoman

I want to know if its a pressed bd or bd-r, aint paying full price for a BD-r anymore

It will be a pressed blu-ray. Should also have a slipcover.

Best Buy and Wal-Mart will be carrying it in store for around $15, and likely Target as well.

[therock666]

14.96 in store at Walmart bestbuy 15.99 and target isn't carrying it in store.

[horroru]

Originally Posted by HorrorBlu

It will be a pressed blu-ray. Should also have a slipcover.

Best Buy and Wal-Mart will be carrying it in store for around $15, and likely Target as well.

Got it today, it is indeed a pressed blu-ray, and the slipcover has some nice foil highlights for those (like me) who are into that stuff!

[captainron_howdy]

I watched this and it's pretty above average if you ask me.

[bigG71]

Originally Posted by MazeRunner

Just finished watching this and it was decent. It takes wayyyy too long for the first kill though. The first kill doesn't happen until the 33 minute mark. The first half hour is pretty slow and dull, and you can tell the college characters were written by a 35-40 year-old screenwriter who had no idea how 18-21 year-olds socialize and speak.

The lead actress co-wrote the screenplay so she cast herself as the lead I guess. She was very wrong for the role. She's 33 playing a college student and she definitely looks her age.

There's 3 fun and somewhat homoerotic death scenes before the entertaining final 20 minutes, but everything between is uninteresting.

I'd probably buy it if it drops to $10 or less.

Has anyone else seen this? Thoughts?

The lead actress casting was what ruined this the most for me. Funny enough, I just watched Death Game the night before and this reminded me of the suspension of disbelief required for Sandra Locke to be considered “jailbait” when she was 30 years old at the time. Being screenwriter and a producer on Initiation seems to be the reason why LaVanchy got the part instead of an equally or better-qualified 20-something actress.

I thought after the first murder there was way too much time before the next one and this plays too much like a police procedural. The final 20 minutes tries to right the ship and does create some good tension with the killer’s stalking, but the aftermath final scene is a jumbled mess with characters’ facial reactions and behavior making it confusing as to what the ending is trying to convey.

Some of the more recent horror films are misguided in their attempts to “turn the tables” on the slasher genre by objectifying the men instead of the women and using some sort of righteous justification for it. I think there are better ways to make the social commentary using script and dialogue instead of gratuitous nudity of either sex.

That being said, I think this is a lot more watchable than the 2019 Black Christmas and its “hit you over the head” messaging, but that’s not exactly a ringing endorsement. I would say rent this first before you consider adding it to your permanent collection.