Cube (1997) - Review
Originally published October 2017Cube is an interesting little horror movie from 20 years ago that surprised me in multiple ways when I first saw it. It's a low-budget movie in which most of the amateur actors have to captivate your attention in rooms that all look similar to each other, and it's surprisingly good for what it is. For most horror movies like this, it would be tough pulling this off, but Cube manages quite well. At the time of this review, it's available for streaming on Netflix, so just in time to recommend it for Halloween 2017.
Part of what I like about Cube is how it manages to serve as an example of a successful low-budget project. The movie is all filmed on one set that only changes by the color of the lights used in the background, yet it's convincing enough when you see it that you think people are moving through rooms in this giant deathtrap cube. It shows how restrictions, be it monetary or otherwise, can sometimes lead to creative solutions. It doesn't always work out, with the occasional bad line or over-acted scene, but it still does pretty well.
Image: Trimark Pictures
Pros
Premise is intriguing and mysterious
The various traps naturally make you curious to find out what's behind door number 3
Another movie like The Mist in which it speculates and analyzes human behavior in bizarre situations
Good special effects that actually hold up okay, 20 years later
Cons
Some of the acting is a bit much
Dialogue and writing can just sound like filler sometimes
Certain actions defy logic, even of the insane
Plot & Thoughts
Cube is a pretty simple movie with a pretty straightforward plot. People have been abducted and placed inside a giant Rubik's cube that is made up of rooms that are all cubes as well. The people are desperately trying to get out and must navigate the different rooms in the cube to do so. However, they have to avoid the rooms with booby traps that could very easily and quickly kill them. They have to figure out where an exit is, if there is a logic to the cube's puzzle, and how to avoid getting killed by the cube or each other.
Image: Trimark Pictures
How the whole deathtrap works or why it exists is left somewhat unexplained. All we get is some vague statements from a nihilist about why the cube is there, and that's it. But that's fine because the focus is on the characters. Unknown actors of the time fill the cast and they do a commendable job for their expected level of skill. A lot of it goes over the top, but it never gets laughably bad that you can't still stay invested in what's happening.
Some compromises are made to make the movie more entertaining and dramatic that I don't agree with. There are a few moments in which the characters make some questionable decisions that defy logic just for the sake of setting up a dramatic moment. Not to mention, the final act defies the odds in order to give you a somewhat unsatisfying ending. Nonetheless, the journey from beginning to end through the giant death trap is a captivating one.
Image: Trimark Pictures
TL;DR (Conclusion)
Cube is a smart, interesting little film that manages to accomplish a lot with so few resources. The acting is better than you might expect. The mystery and tension of the deathtrap are intriguing. Not to mention, there's some decent writing with some deeper themes and symbols going on that you may not notice the first time around. Cube is far from perfect, but it is nonetheless a cool horror movie worthy of a cult following.
At the time of this review, Cube is currently available on Netflix streaming. Just in time for Halloween! You can see what other horror movies I recommend watching this month on the other streaming services here:
Fan of death metal? Check out my band on Bandcamp and Soundcloud. If you like what you hear and want to hear more, head to HoundsofInnsmouth.com for more info!