It’s not often that a movie makes me genuinely uncomfortable, to the point where I have to pause just after the conflict erupts so I can actually breathe and process what I’ve just witnessed. “Green Room” very much accomplished that, managing to shock someone like me who has seen their fair share of horror movies, thanks to a truly visceral experience anchored by a group of immensely talented performers.
Directed by Jeremy Saulnier and celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, “Green Room” is a seriously dark thriller that twists your senses, and I’m glad it’s now streaming on Netflix. The movie proves that less is more, relying on a simple setup, one chilling antagonist, and a collection of compelling performances to keep you constantly on edge. Pair those elements with a narrative largely confined to a single room, and the result is an unsettling thriller with a strong sense of gritty realism.
With thrillers being the genre Netflix subscribers gravitate toward most, I wouldn’t be surprised if this one breaks into the top 10. If you’re looking for something intense to stream this week, here’s why “Green Room” deserves a spot on your watchlist.
What is ‘Green Room’ about?
“Green Room” follows a struggling punk rock band made up of Pat (Anton Yelchin), Sam (Alia Shawkat), Reece (Joe Cole), and Tiger (Callum Turner). While touring the Pacific Northwest, they accept a last-minute gig at a secluded club outside Portland run by a dangerous group after another show falls through. Once there, they realize the venue caters to a hostile crowd and unsettling locals overseen by Darcy Banker (Patrick Stewart), the calm but calculating figure in charge.
Soon after their set, Pat returns to the backstage area to retrieve Sam's phone and stumbles on a violent crime being committed. With no way out, the band is confined to the small green room as the club’s staff moves to secure the scene and prevent any witnesses from escaping. Locked in and surrounded, the group must confront their vulnerable circumstances and make desperate decisions while trying to find a way to survive the night.
‘Green Room’ should be on your Netflix watchlist
Much of what makes “Green Room” such an impactful movie is the way it introduces a relatable group of characters, whose friendship and camaraderie make it easy to connect with them straight away. As a struggling punk band, it’s their bond and shared passion for music that makes them human, but it also leads to their downfall when desperation pushes them to accept the world’s dodgiest gig at a bar in the middle of nowhere, hoping to get paid and get out. Even from the opening minutes, there’s this constant feeling that something terrible is about to happen, and when it finally does, there’s no time to fully recover.
“Green Room,” in simple words, is a brutal thriller. Its gritty nature and cruel antagonists make the violence feel even more visceral (one scene involving a machete and an arm had my stomach churning). Yet because the first part of the movie does such a strong job of connecting us to the core group, the latter half —with them trapped in a room and death looming on the other side of the door — feels all the more harrowing. Throw in Patrick Stewart’s truly menacing villain, and you’ve got a claustrophobic nightmare.
Since “Green Room” spends a lot of time in this backstage area, cinematographer Sean Porter does an incredible job of putting you right in the middle of the chaos, flicking between the criminals on the other side of the door and our frightened band members trying to devise a plan. This is a survival thriller that excels at keeping the stakes high, steadily escalating tension, and letting viewers revel in watching characters fight to escape the ever-tightening trap they’ve fallen into.
“Green Room” only managed to generate $3.8 million at the box office back in 2016, but that didn’t stop it from earning high praise. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an impressive 90% from over 200 critics, with the site’s consensus reading: “Green Room delivers unapologetic genre thrills with uncommon intelligence and powerfully acted élan.” It only feels right to mention that this was one of Anton Yelchin’s final projects before his tragic passing, making his performance all the more memorable for fans of his work.
Now that “Green Room” is streaming on Netflix, I’d highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a dark thriller. It’s a movie that will have your heart racing and your adrenaline surging.
Stream "Green Room" on Netflix now
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