Level 16

Level 16_360P

Level 16

source: Level 16

I was pleasantly surprised by this film. A pure example of how you can create a good movie with low budget. Really unique idea and plot. Magnificent acting as well

Even though the writer/director started thinking about this script many years ago it went though many rewrites to oddly resemble the highly successful "The Handmaid's Tale". Not really sci-fi, more like bad anatomical medicine combined w/bad business. Lots of unexplained holes in the story of some unknown/unseen population of people "adopting?" (buying) young abandoned (or bought) females residing in a long term boarding/finishing school. The school's owners were poorly developed/explained; the use of Russian bodyguards made little sense other than Russians are one of filmdom's baddies. Ending was unclearly rushed/abrupt. Anyway, school preaches obedience, then cleanliness as female virtues, and to avoid anger, curiosity. If you're claustrophobic the film's location is almost entirely a few rooms in a warehouse type setting. If there was an underlying theme it's about teen girl's friendships/jealousies & stay healthy.

I gave this movie six stars which to me is just above average. It was entertaining with a few thrills. There is a twist that surprised me. Its young cast did a good job in their roles. I would recommend that you not pay the expense of streaming it and check it out at redbox when it is available.

This movie is based on a simple but strong (and grim) premise, and starts off strong. But the basic theme already established is then laboured to the point of tedium. The middle three quarter of an hour or so really do drag, not much happens, no new meaning or ideas are conveyed, there is no emotional arc or tension, and there is little or no narrative development. Then it picks up in the last 20 minutes or so, things happen and there's a satisfactory ending. The movie explores (or at least exploits) some stereotypes around the roles and expectations of women in society, but this is overdone. It is only very loosely a sci-fi, more of a drama. The young female lead actresses are excellent though. There was potential here, but let down by bad direction.

Starts off as a low budget but competent derivative of other clone/medical/dystopian SF dramas ends up as a silly incoherent low rent rip off. Just remember not all Russians are evil pervert gangster cannibals with female beauty fixations.

Very weak movie that wants to be Hand Maidens worthy except that it's very dull,, offers no real suspense and ends on a whimper. Even Made for Lifetime movies offer more than this did.. very disappointing...

Sauce