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5 Movies Like The Belko Experiment To Watch

Page Contents

Best Movies Like The Belko Experiment

Here is our list of Movies like The Belko Experiment that we are sure you will enjoy. Eighty Americans are locked in their high-rise corporate office in Bogotá, Colombia, as part of a bizarre social experiment, and a voice on the intercom system of the business commands them to take part in a deadly game of kill or be killed.

The Belko Experiment Related Movies List

Escape room.

Director: Will Wernick

When an escape room they are participating in takes a dark and twisted turn, six friends are put to the test of their wits.

Director: Joe Lynch

An office complex is infected by a virus that causes white-collar employees to act out their worst impulses.

Director: Craig Zobel

In a clearing, twelve unfamiliar people awaken. They have no idea of their location or how they got there. They are unaware that they have been selected for The Hunt, which has a very clear purpose.

The Invisible Man

Director: Leigh Whannell

Cecilia worries that her abusive ex-husband faked his death when he killed himself and left her his fortune. Cecilia tries to show that she is being pursued by a person no one can see as a string of coincidences turn deadly.

Director: Álex de la Iglesia

A loud gunshot and two unexplained deaths trap a motley crew of regulars in a run-down central bar in bustling downtown Madrid, turning them against one another out of fear and paranoia.

The Best Movies Like The Belko Experiment

I hope you find something on this list you will enjoy; if you like The Belko Experiment, we are sure you will enjoy the rest of these titles. Comment below on other movies you have enjoyed similar to The Belko Experiment.

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12 Movies Like Battle Royale You Should Watch

In retrospect, it doesn’t seem like it took very long for Battle Royale to become one of the most influential and entertaining movies of the 2000s.

Based on a 1999 novel by Koushun Takami, the movie adaptation was immediately met with rave reviews and controversy . It received an R+15 age rating, one of Japan’s sternest movie ratings up to that time. It would be a full decade before the film was even given a proper release in the west, although the movie had a large, devoted fanbase across the world by 2010. A poorly received sequel was out by 2003, but even the failure of that film couldn’t diminish the overwhelming visceral response Battle Royale continues to pull from its audience.

Do you nonetheless wish you had some movies like Battle Royale to check out? We’ve got twelve compelling films for you to consider, covering both the thematically similar and also other movies from Battle Royale’s native country of Japan. Nothing is going to be exactly like this legendary film from the equally legendary director Kinji Fukasaku (working from a screenplay written by his son Kenta), but there are a few movies that can get you pretty close to one of the most unique action-thrillers ever made.

Movies Like Battle Royale

12. as the gods will (2014).

Director: Takashi Miike

From the title alone, you can probably guess that As the Gods Will is going to be a nasty piece of business.

It certainly delivers everything you might want from a premise of Japanese high school students being forced to compete against one another in some whimsical games of carnage and death. With a movie like As the Gods Will, you don’t want to take anything for granted, including characters you may like making it out alive, or even your understanding of what exactly is going on.

We’d have to probably pay a fine to someone somewhere if we went through an entire article about mentioning movies similar to Battle Royale, without mentioning at least one Takaski Miike movie. The legendary director of more than 100 films , Miike is occasionally credited by people who don’t know how an internet search works as the director of Battle Royale. He’s not, but he has a number of movies on his resume that will certainly work for anyone seeking spiritually similar viewing experiences.

11. Azumi (2003)

Director: Ryuhei Kitamura

While Azumi features a plot fairly different to Battle Royale, both Japanese films trade in children being forced into some form of vicious combat.

Featuring a standout performance from the brilliant, underrated Aya Ueto, Azumi also features a situation in which two young friends are seemingly left with no choice but to fight to the death. It can make for a harrowing dilemma in the best movies, and Azumi supports this conflict with breathtaking fight sequences and some pretty brutal depictions of violence.

Azumi manages the feat of being as grim as it is entertaining. The film also benefits from a marvelous ensemble, with more than just Azumi as someone you are likely going to grow to care about. The main thread here is watching young assassins battle monstrous warlords, bringing down entire armies in a never-ending struggle. While the film does find a deeper emotional core for its characters, we’re really just here for the melodramatic bloodbath.

There’s also a sequel, if you happen to really like this one.

10. Battle Royale II (2003)

Director(s): Kinji and Kenta Fukasaku

A sequel to a film like Battle Royale is inevitable. It’s also not a terrible idea in of itself, but it just has to find a wholly different approach to the basic premise of high school kids fighting to the death on an island at the whim of a totalitarian government.

The problem with Battle Royale II, which was directed by Kinji Fukasaku’s son Kenta after the former died early on in production, is that it doesn’t really bring anything new to the table. This is as clear a case of an inferior sequel as it gets.

Does the movie have anything to offer? Sure, but it’s important to keep expectations as limited as possible for this famously unpopular sequel. A genuinely interesting movie can be found here, particularly in such creative choices as magnifying the performances to the point where it honestly feels like we’re watching a parody of the first film. There is also a visually stunning piece of exploitation madness to be found in what happens when our kids land on the beach.

9. The Belko Experiment (2016)

Director: Greg McLean

If you’re specifically looking for movies featuring an actual battle royale of mayhem and gore, The Belko Experiment is going to be a hell of a good time.

An office building and its workers in Columbia are told on a dime that they must kill two of their ranks within the next thirty minutes. As you can imagine, the stakes do not end there. Sooner rather than later, the entire building becomes an insulated battleground ripe for dark social commentary and parody of the human condition.

While the more bleakly humorous parts of this film can occasionally fall flat, The Belko Experiment has more than enough enthusiasm and style to make up for any potential shortcomings. When the movie is simply leaning into its exploitation background, opting for colorful savagery and character-driven plot twists above anything else, The Belko Experiment gets close to genre perfection.

Performances from John Gallagher Jr, Tony Goldwyn, Adria Arjona, and John C. McGinley also help accentuate a movie that proves the basic brawl-for-all concept can work in different sorts of movies.

8. The Condemned (2007)

Director: Scott Wiper

The Condemned isn’t a masterpiece by any means. However, under the right circumstances, it can be a lot of fun.

Your mileage will definitely vary, especially if you’re coming to this right on the heels of another Battle Royale screening. If you like the thematic similarities between these films, and you have a place in your heart for B-movie slugfests, The Condemned is going to be the perfect kind of entertainment.

A vehicle for WWE legend “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and among the first films released by WWE Studios, The Condemned is also thoroughly unpretentious. That doesn’t make the ludicrous dialog necessarily easier to take, but there’s enjoyment to be had watching Austin trade silly quips while fighting guys like Vinnie Jones in the jungle for an illegal game featuring criminals that’s broadcast to the public.

“Dumb fun” can be a backhanded compliment, but it’s appropriate and more of a term of endearment in this insistence. The movie only really struggles when it tries to convince us the plot is important.

7. Guns Akimbo (2019)

Director: Jason Lei Howden

Illegal games built around making death as visually and viscerally decadent as possible is a recurring theme in movies like Battle Royale. It’s a good premise for a film, but it can be challenging to find movies that do something distinctive with this specific genre.

Guns Akimbo has two secret weapons to that end. One was to come up with a pretty good variant in which a young man Miles (Daniel Radcliffe) is forced into this game with guns permanently attached to both of his hands. The simple act of watching Miles survive under these conditions makes it easy to sit back and enjoy.

However, beyond its clever premise, Guns Akimbo also impresses for its two leads. Radcliffe and Samara Weaving each bring the perfect tone for their respective characters, and how those characters interact with this vaguely dystopian world. Guns Akimbo has its own unique brand of bullet-spraying and gallows humor, and no one seems to better understand that than these two.

6. The Hunger Games (2012)

Director: Gary Ross

Let’s get this out of the way once and for all. Did The Hunger Games rip off Battle Royale? Author Suzanne Collins has repeatedly said her books were not inspired by the Japanese film. Take away the fact that both films deal in child-on-child violence and authoritarian governments, and you’re ultimately left with two fairly different films in tone and intent.

At any rate, The Hunger Games nonetheless cannot help but live in the shadow of an older and better-told depiction of some of its most notable characteristics. This collection of four films will definitely be of some interest to those looking for movies to watch beyond Battle Royale, and you’ll be equally fascinated to see how they differ from one another.

On their own terms, The Hunger Games movies are some standard, incredibly sanitized action movie epics set in what has become a pretty common depiction of a dystopian society. The main characters fit the archetypes you might want from something like this, and it’s hard to deny the energy and appeal of Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. At least in the first couple movies.

5. The Hunt (2020)

Director: Craig Zobel

A dozen strangers wake up in a field, with little clue as to how they got there before learning that they’re going to be hunted for sport by a group of deranged elites.

The premise no doubt sounds familiar when you start watching The Hunt . Thankfully, the movie finds several points of interest in which to create a social satire that doesn’t lose sight of suspension of character development. In the ways in which it builds upon these standard elements, most notably in performances by Betty Gilpin and Hillary Swank, The Hunt becomes something special. Its build to a well-executed climax, with an absolutely perfect ending, makes the film the kind of experience that’s certain to surprise those who go in relatively cold.

Taking more of its cues from The Most Dangerous Game than Battle Royale, the film is nonetheless easy to appreciate by fans of Battle Royale in particular. Both feature a death contest, but both also deal in the notion that people in extreme situations will surprise you.

4. Lord of the Flies (1963)

Director: Peter Brook

Lord of the Flies can feel a little stilted at times, particularly with so many young non-actors dominating this story of several young boys being stranded on a desert island. Still, this 1963 version of Lord of the Flies remains a chilling depiction about the potential death of innocence, mob mentality, and whether or not we’re all just doomed to go ballistic and try to eat each other.

These themes, taken from the original novel, and later explored further in a 1990 film adaptation, dominate a story that at times is filmed to feel much like a documentary. More often than not, the power of this movie comes from a cast composed entirely of children who didn’t necessarily aspire to be actors. Their performances lend a lot of tension to a story that becomes increasingly cruel and deranged as time slowly hums along.

Lord of the Flies doesn’t have any element of a government forcing the children to live like this. There is also very little physical conflict between the kids, although what little actual violence does come across is emotionally wrenching.

3. The Most Dangerous Game (1932)

Directors: Ernest B. Schoedsack and Irving Pichel

While it’s highly unlikely that Battle Royale was inspired in any way by The Most Dangerous Game, you can’t deny that both films don’t hit certain emotional responses. Both ultimately force human beings out of their comfort and into extreme danger, all to support the interests or more frighteningly the pleasure of some powerful force.

The Most Dangerous Game is based on a short story by Richard Connell. It’s been remade, adapted, and ripped off literally dozens of times at this point, though the 1932 telling of the story is widely considered to be the best.

While nearly a century old, The Most Dangerous Game is still a fantastic and entertaining thriller. It emphasizes a particularly disconcerting mode of storytelling in which life becomes a proactive battle against death itself for no other reason than someone else made the call. The movie also highlights great, suitably over-the-top acting from Fay Wray and Joel McCrea. Leslie Banks most of all is a scenery-chewing delight who deserves renewed appreciation.

2. Series 7: The Contenders (2001)

Director: Daniel Minahan

Reality TV arguably hit its golden age in the early 2000s. Parodies and savage satires were nothing new by 2001.

Series 7: The Contenders managed to be more than just some cutting remarks on a society obsessed with voyeurism and trash TV thanks to a clever script in which its bolder and grimmer points are strengthened by memorable acting and effective editing. When the movie hits its more intensive marks, we’re impacted because it’s more than just a collection of action sequences and jokes about how insipid these shows can get over human suffering.

Series 7 is the kind of satire that doesn’t need to go too far over the top to make its point. There is certainly an element of that to consider here, but the movie generally finds a way to take its satire so seriously that it could conceivably function as a deadly serious part of everyday reality. Series 7 also features one of the best ensembles of any movie on this list.

1. Versus (2000)

We close out this look at movies like Battle Royale with another from that delightful lunatic Ryuhei Kitamura.

Versus doesn’t look for too much inherent dramatic weight in its story of an escaped convict (Tak Sakaguchi), some yakuza, a bunch of zombies, a forest that connects to the spirit realm, and a big ol’ plot to unleash the hordes of the undead upon the human race. In that context, it may be hard to appreciate Versus as a logical jumping point from something like Battle Royale. Beyond the fact that both films were released in Japan around the same time, what do they really have in common?

Even at its blackest, Battle Royale is a carnival of murder and anarchy. All of this is filtered through a lens that at least showcases these things in a very specific, arguably grandiose fashion. Released at a similar time, both that film and Versus are cut from a similar cloth, even if they divert on the depth of ideas being explored. They pair exceptionally well together, most intently in terms of style.

READ NEXT: 10 Movies Like Oldboy to Check Out

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Loved The Mill? Here Are 8 Films You Will Also Like

Hulu’s ‘The Mill’ is a psychological thriller film starring Lil Rel Howery (‘ Vacation Friends ‘) as Joe Stevens, a business manager who finds himself imprisoned in an old stone grist mill. Joe must work at the mill under excruciating circumstances to survive while searching for answers about why he is imprisoned in the first place. Directed by Sean King O’Grady, the film uses allegory as an effective tool to comment on the relationship between employees and employers, particularly centering on the issues of toxic productivity standards and work culture. If you enjoyed watching ‘The Mill’ and are seeking more allegorical films, we’ve got you covered! Here is a list of similar films you will also enjoy.

8. Escape Room (2019)

‘Escape Room’ is a psychological horror film directed by Adam Robitel and written by Bragi F. Schut and Maria Melnik. The film follows six strangers who find themselves trapped in a maze of deadly mystery rooms. As a result, they must work together and solve a series of clues to survive. Like ‘The Mill,’ the movie is an atmospheric thriller featuring characters trapped in a single location with their lives in the hands of an unforeseen power. Despite its relatively simple plot and a lack of nuance, viewers who enjoy thrillers with a splatter of slasher horror and twists will be entertained by ‘Escape Room.’

7. Virtuosity (1995)

Directed by Brett Leonard, ‘Virtuosity’ is a science-fiction action film starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe in the lead roles. It revolves around Lt. Parker Barnes, an ex-cop who is trying to catch a dangerous serial killer. However, when Barnes learns that the culprit is a virtual reality simulation created using the personalities of notorious serial killers , he must do everything he can to stop it. While the film’s basic premise differs from ‘The Mill,’ both movies feature the protagonist trying to outmaneuver and outsmart a set of computer algorithms. Moreover, ‘Virtuosity’ presents an intriguing, if not thrilling, take on the concept of simulated reality.

6. The Belko Experiment (2016)

‘The Belko Experiment’ is a horror film directed by Greg McLean and written by James Gunn. It stars John Gallagher Jr., Tony Goldwyn, Adria Arjona, and Michael Rooker in the lead role. It tells the story of eighty Americans working abroad for the Colombia-based Belko Industries. However, their lives are upstaged when the group is locked inside their office building and must kill each other to survive. The film deals with employees facing life-threatening situations at their workplace, making it similar to ‘The Mill.’ Furthermore, ‘The Belko Experiment’ features some truly shocking moments filled with horror and gore that genre fans will enjoy.

5. Westworld (1973)

Written and directed by Michael Crichton, ‘Westworld’ is a science-fiction film with Western themes . Set at the titular interactive amusement park, the movie follows a group of guests forced to fight for survival when the android hosts inexplicably malfunction. The film balances surrealist and escapist fantasy elements with the gritty reality of the circumstances in which the guests are caught up. Therefore, despite its reliance on science-fiction and Western elements, the film shares some parallels with ‘The Mill’ through its inventive and tense atmospheric storytelling.

4. The Lighthouse (2019)

‘ The Lighthouse ‘ is a horror drama movie directed by Robert Eggers and stars Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson in the lead roles. Set in the nineteenth century, it tells the story of two lighthouse keepers marooned by a wild storm at a remote New England outpost. However, the lighthouse keepers soon begin to experience horrifying and disturbing visions as their circumstances take a psychological toll on them. While the film is known for defying genre tropes, ‘The Lighthouse’ and its depiction of its main characters’ perilous circumstances at their workplace will remind viewers of ‘The Mill.’ However, the drastically different subtext and nuances of the allegorical storytelling in ‘The Lighthouse’ make it a must-watch for cinema fans.

3. eXistenZ (1999)

‘Existenz’ (also known as ‘eXistenZ’) is a science-fiction horror film written and directed by David Cronenberg. It stars Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jude Law , Ian Holm, Don McKellar, Callum Keith Rennie, Sarah Polley, Christopher Eccleston, and Willem Dafoe in the lead roles. It follows Allegra Geller, a game designer who creates a virtual reality game. However, when an assassin from the game targets her, Geller must play the game and determine whether it has been damaged. While the movie’s basic differs from ‘The Mill,’ both movies feature the main characters facing a conflict in a simulated reality that directly affects their lives. However, the film uses virtual reality as an allegory to explore complex themes such as corporate espionage and anti-technology extremism.

2. Dark City (1998)

Directed by Alex Proyas, ‘ Dark City ‘ is a neo-noir science-fiction film starring Rufus Sewell, William Hurt, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, Richard O’Brien, and Ian Richardson. It follows John Murdoch, an amnesiac man who becomes a suspect of murder. As a result, Murdoch must discover his true identity and clear his name while the police and a mysterious group known as the “Strangers” chase him. Like ‘The Mill,’ the film uses allegory throughout its narrative to explore strong philosophical themes such as existentialism and liberation. ‘Dark City’ is arguably the best allegorical film, making it a must-watch for fans of ‘The Mill.’

1. The Truman Show (1998)

‘ The Truman Show ‘ is a science-fiction comedy-drama film directed by Peter Weir. It stars Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank, an insurance salesman with a mundane and oddly routine lifestyle. However, when Burbank slowly discovers that his life is part of a reality television show and everyone he knows, including his family, are merely paid actors, he plots to escape the sets. It is one of the best surrealist films ever made, a blend of metafiction and psychological drama with doses of romance and comedy. Like ‘The Mill,’ the movie features a protagonist trapped in an uncanny situation, leading to an intriguing search for answers that forces them to introspect their decisions. Moreover, both movies feature (Carrey and Howery) actors known for their comedic roles, delivering powerful dramatic performances. For those reasons, ‘The Truman Show’ takes the top spot in this list.

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The First Exorcist: Wolf Creek Director Making New Supernatural Horror Movie

By Brandon Schreur

Wolf Creek director Greg McLean is making a new supernatural horror movie called The First Exorcist .

Along with 2005’s Wolf Creek , McLean is known for making 2007’s Rogue, 2013’s Wolf Creek 2, 2016’s The Darkness, 2016’s The Belko Experiment, and, most recently, 2017’s Jungle. He has also directed episodes of the Wolf Creek television series, The Gloaming, and La Brea.

Now, per Deadline , McLean’s Emu Creek Pictures is working with Mark Fennessy’s Helium on a new horror movie called The First Exorcist, which has no relation to the Exorcist horror franchise that is currently owned by Universal Studios.

What else do we know about The First Exorcist?

The First Exorcist will be set during “Biblical times” and follow a mother as she goes “on a harrowing quest to save her daughter from demonic possession.” The plot synopsis further reads, “As their lives descend into a nightmare, the mother learns of a mysterious healer with the power to expel demons, and embarks on a dangerous race against time – encountering hostile Roman authorities on her perilous mission to find the healer and save her daughter’s life.”

The movie is expected to begin filming in Victoria, Australia, in 2025. Deadline’s article notes, “The plan is to use cutting edge virtual production tech in Victoria to bring epic ancient cities and locations to life.”

The script for The First Exorcist was written by McLean. There’s no word as to who will star in the movie as of yet and no release date has been announced at this time.

“Greg’s script delivers an intensity and emotional depth that, combined with jaw-dropping scares, a fascinating historical setting and powerful supernatural themes, will create a milestone film experience,” said Fennessy. “His refined storytelling and dynamic visual style will elevate The First Exorcist, and we are thrilled to bring his spine-chilling vision to life.”

Brandon Schreur has been writing about comics, movies, television shows, and all things pop culture for roughly five years. He's a lifelong cinephile who spends way, way too much money buying Blu-rays and trade paperbacks. You can find him on twitter at @brandonschreur.

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The Belko Experiment

In a twisted social experiment, eighty Americans are locked in their high-rise corporate office in Bogotá, Colombia, and ordered by an unknown voice coming from the company's intercom system... Read all In a twisted social experiment, eighty Americans are locked in their high-rise corporate office in Bogotá, Colombia, and ordered by an unknown voice coming from the company's intercom system to participate in a deadly game of kill or be killed. In a twisted social experiment, eighty Americans are locked in their high-rise corporate office in Bogotá, Colombia, and ordered by an unknown voice coming from the company's intercom system to participate in a deadly game of kill or be killed.

• Greg McLean
• John Gallagher Jr.
• Tony Goldwyn
• Adria Arjona
• 280 User reviews
• 208 Critic reviews
• 44 Metascore

Top cast 64

• Barry Norris

• Leandra Florez

• Wendell Dukes

• Dany Wilkins

• Terry Winter

• Marty Espenscheid

• Vince Agostino

• Keith Mclure

• Lonny Crane

• Roberto Jerez

• Peggy Displasia

• Leota Hynek

• Chet Valincourt
• Ross Reynolds
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

• Trivia John Gallagher, Jr. auditioned for a role in a previous film directed by James Gunn , but wasn't right for the part. However, Gunn thought he was the best actor he'd seen in an audition, and vowed to work with Gallagher again.
• Goofs The building supposedly became a giant defacto Faraday cage, but they are able to pick up a local radio station from inside the building. But nothing supports that the metal around the building is also acting as a Faraday cage. In many outside shots the of building you can see a tower on the roof with 3 Sector antennas positioned around it, this is likely a cell tower and due to the remote location likely the only one providing service to the area. With the level of expertise shown by the perpetrators it would be simple to disable this tower during the lockdown. It is also easily more probable a cell jammer or jammers could have been activated in or near the building.

The Voice : In two hours we want thirty of you dead. If thirty of you are not dead, we will end sixty of your lives ourselves. Five, four, three, two, one. Begin.

• Connections Featured in FoundFlix: The Belko Experiment (2017) Ending Explained (2017)
• Soundtracks Yo Vivire (I Will Survive) Written by Dino Fekaris & Freddie Perren (as Frederick Perren) Translation by Oscar Gomez Performed by Jose Prieto

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• Runtime 1 hour 29 minutes
• Dolby Digital

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The Belko Experiment

You don’t need to squint very hard to see the satirical elements that might have elevated blood-soaked horror flick “The Belko Experiment” to greatness. The premise—a group of employees are forced to kill each other at the whims of an anonymous employer—is promising. But the script, penned by James Gunn (“ Guardians of the Galaxy ,” “Slither”), is undercooked, its violence foregrounded to the point of distraction. Many people will either love or hate this film based on how gory and aggressively cynical it is. But realistically, Gunn’s biggest conceptual failure is that his scenario is thoughtlessly cruel. The characters could have embodied traits of typical office drones and managers, turning the film into a savage black comedy. But those elements aren’t developed beyond a point, making the movie’s only selling point its excessive gore and violence.

You’ll notice, from the start, how easy it is to either identify with or dismiss characters in “The Belko Experiment” based on how they respond to the stress of being told to kill their fellow employees. Never mind that stress makes people do crazy things: we’re supposed to sympathize with by-the-book employee Mike (John Gallagher Jr.) because he’s a moderate voice of reason compared to self-appointed megalomaniac Barry ( Tony Goldwyn ). Mike is the kind of guy who encourages his fellow employees to take the stairs, not the elevators while Barry is the kind of guy who says that the group should “consider our options” and think about cooperating with the mysterious uber-boss who’s compelling them to kill each other. Both characters clash sooner rather than later because each employee has a GPS micro-chip implanted in their heads—they are working in Bogota, where kidnappings are supposedly not uncommon—which is ultimately used as an explosive to pick off disobedient employees. 

Secondary characters either voice their disapproval or support of Barry and Mike’s respective positions: Mike insists that nobody has “the right to choose who lives and who dies” while Barry suggests that they have no choice. You may, at some point, wonder if Barry has a point. But that moment will pass when you see the other guys he’s allied himself with, people like jittery, trigger-happy Lonny ( David Dastmalchian ) and sexual-harassment-happy Wendell ( John C. McGinley ). There’s no way to take the utilitarian position in this film because these guys are defined exclusively by personality-revealing bad behavior. 

Conversely, there’s no way to relate to Mike because he’s such a generic goody-goody. What kind of guy warns people to take the stairs and not the elevators during such an emergency? That’s a half-serious question: I do not know anything about Mike beyond the fact that he handles stress well, talks other employees down from stress, and is a rational thinker given how much of the film’s early expository speculation comes from him (he’s a bit chatty at the start, but necessarily so since he’s essentially the lone voice of reason). There’s no way to tell what he was like before the Belko bosses starting killing their employees off, nor any way to know why we should sympathize with the character beyond the fact that he’s part of the solution and not the problem.

Then again, the lack of motivation could have also been a source of great comedy. Belko could be an office like any other: a place where bosses and fellow employees act kind and genial one minute but have the potential to transform into domineering thugs as soon as they fear they’re going to be thrown under the bus. That’s who Lonny, the most sympathetic of Gunn’s baddies, seems to be. But he’s annoyingly knock-kneed, and ineffectual, making him instantly unlikable. McGinley’s character is defined by his insincere toothy grin, and proud tendency of showing off his muscles, making his narcissism all too apparent. And Barry just wants to stay in control, as he shows when he undermines nice guy security guard Evan ( James Earl ) by breaking into the company’s weapons cache(!).

This makes a bloody, unpleasant series of murders the only reason to see “The Belko Experiment.” Director Greg McLean (“ Wolf Creek ,” “Rogue”) fails to distinguish himself during medium close-up shots of heads exploding and torsos flailing. But McLean’s contributions to “The Belko Experiment” aren’t what makes the film so disappointing. Gunn’s unimaginative conception of a “Battle Royale” meets “ Office Space ” style horror film—I just bet that that was the elevator pitch—holds a decent cast back from dying meaningful deaths. Even the most diehard gorehounds and Gunn supporters should give this stinker a pass. 

Simon Abrams

Simon Abrams is a native New Yorker and freelance film critic whose work has been featured in  The New York Times ,  Vanity Fair ,  The Village Voice,  and elsewhere.

• Tony Goldwyn as Barry Norris
• Adria Arjona as Leandra Flores
• David Dastmalchian as Alonso 'Lonny' Crane
• John Gallagher Jr. as Mike Milch
• David Del Rio as Roberto Jerez
• Melonie Diaz as Dany Wilkins
• Josh Brener as Keith McLure
• Sean Gunn as Marty Espenscheid
• Michael Rooker as Bud Melks
• John C. McGinley as Wendell Dukes
• Mikaela Hoover as Raziya Memarian
• Greg Mclean

Cinematographer

• Luis David Sansans
• Tyler Bates

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‘the belko experiment’: film review.

Greg McLean and screenwriter James Gunn lock scores of office workers up to kill each other in brisk, bloody thriller 'The Belko Experiment.'

By THR Staff

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A game-of-death entry into the developing subgenre of workplace horror films, The Belko Experiment sees director Greg McLean leave behind the serial-killer turf of his Wolf Creek franchise for a scenario in which just about everyone will wind up with blood on his hands. The “experiment” in question, in which office workers are locked up and told they must choose co-workers to kill, is ripe for satire, but McLean (using a script by Guardians of the Galaxy writer-director James Gunn) mostly forgoes such opportunities in favor of vicious, mostly satisfying action. Genre fans will be appreciative, but mainstream appeal is limited.

Belko appears to be an organization helping American companies outsource jobs to South America. With offices near Bogota, Colombia, it’s unsurprising the corporation takes rather extreme security precautions, going so far as to plant tracking devices under each employee’s skin in case of kidnapping.

Release date: Mar 17, 2017

But those implants aren’t tracking devices. They’re tiny bombs, like the one used to keep Kurt Russell in line during 1981’s Escape From New York , and Belko’s staff is about to learn that the ugly way. Early one morning, heavy steel shutters roll down over the entire building, and a voice on the office PA announces that a game has begun. The 80 people inside are to choose two people to kill within half an hour. If they don’t, four will die via those little head-grenades.

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After some startling violence provides proof that this isn’t a prank, workers break roughly into two camps: Those looking for a way to escape this fiendishness, led by John Gallagher, Jr.’s nice-guy Mike; and those who figure they have no choice, and make themselves arbiters of who’s most expendable. No surprise, the latter group hails mostly from the executive suite, following the military-trained exec Barry (Tony Goldwyn ).

Without hinting about his intentions, the unseen captor (monitoring the group through security cameras) soon raises the stakes, forcing colleagues to reevaluate each other and form the usual Lord of the Flies alliances. Given a cast of this size, characterizations are predictably thin, though strong character actors like John C. McGinley and Michael Rooker ensure some viewer engagement with Those About to Die.

While a few actors are conspicuously underused ( Melonie Diaz, for instance), Gallagher gets the lion’s share of screen time, playing the audience’s surrogate as he struggles to find a decent way to behave in this no-win scenario. Good luck with that, sir: Though it isn’t as inventive in the means-of-death department as one might wish, Belko Experiment soon ensures that anyone hoping to live will have to kill at least one person, and likely many more, to do it.

'Belko Experiment': Why Shooting in Colombia Was as Wild After Hours as on Set

Production companies: Troll Court, Safran Co. Distributors: Orion Pictures, BH Tilt Cast: John Gallagher Jr ., Tony Goldwyn , Adria Arjona , John C. McGinley , Josh Brener , Michael Rooker , Sean Gunn, Melonie Diaz, Abraham Benrubi , David Dastmalchian , Owain Yeoman, Brent Sexton, Mikaela Hoover, Rusty Schwimmer , David Del Rio, James Earl, Maruia Shelton, Gail Bean, Joe Fria , Stephen Blackehart , Benjamin Byron Davis, Valentine Miele Director: Greg McLean Screenwriter: James Gunn Producers: James Gunn, Peter Safran Executive producer: Jason Blum Director of photography: Luis David Sansans Production designer: Carlos Osorio Editor: Julia Wong Composer: Tyler Bates Casting directors: Marisol Roncali , Mary Vernieu

Rated R, 88 minutes

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Sigourney weaver confirms she will make her star wars debut in the mandalorian & grogu movie, 10 lowest-grossing dc movies, ranked from worst to best, the belko experiment makes for a truly fascinating concept, but is dragged down by mundane execution that doesn't always engage the viewer..

It seems like a normal day at the Columbia-based nonprofit company Belko Industries office building, as employees such as Mike Velch (Jason Gallagher, Jr.), Leandra Jerez (Adria Arjona), Wendell Dukes (John C. McGinley), and COO Barry Norris (Tony Goldwyn) arrive for work and go about their business. However, things quickly turn sideways when the entire building becomes covered in large metal windows that lock everyone inside. A mysterious voice comes over the intercom, telling the 80 people that they need to kill two of their co-workers or suffer severe consequences. Brushing it off as a cruel prank, the employees ignore the message before learning that their tormentors are very much for real.

With no way to escape or call for help, the surviving employees have to figure out a way to deal with this unprecedented and bizarre situation. Matters only get worse when the voice returns to announce that 30 people must be murdered in any way possible in two hours, or else 60 will be killed by those in control. Work friendships and relationships are put to the ultimate test as Belko is split into various allegiances, with both sides looking to end the horror before everyone dies.

The Belko Experiment is the latest small-budget horror film from Blumhouse, the studio behind genre hits like the  Purge  and  Insidious franchises. Written by  Guardians of the Galaxy helmsman James Gunn, the hope going in was that the film could operate as an entertaining thrill ride that provides the audience with some food for thought on the human condition. It ends up being a mixed bag, as  The Belko Experiment makes for a truly fascinating concept, but is dragged down by mundane execution that doesn't always engage the viewer.

Fans know Gunn is a writer famous for his sense of humor, but  The Belko Experiment leans more on thriller sensibilities than comedy (save for the amusing line of dialogue or two). He crafts an interesting "what if?" scenario that makes for a compelling discussion long after the credits have rolled. Part of the fun of  The Belko Experiment is the individual moviegoer following along with the characters, trying to decide what they would do if they were posed with this dilemma. As expected, the core group at Belko falls into its own "civil war" setup where certain people firmly believe killing anyone is wrong, while others feel murder may be best for the sake of the company. Though the film obviously favors one opinion over the other, both have sound arguments to make - especially when wives and children back home are taken into account.

The premise of  Belko is its strongest point, as the film itself lacks the satirical edge needed to make an absurd idea like this really work on the big screen. Conversations about the "right" thing to do never dig below the surface level and some moviegoers might be left wishing for something that goes into a deeper analysis. Some of this might be the approach of director Greg McLean ( Wolf Creek ), as he plays  The Belko Experiment mainly as a straight, serious horror movie as opposed to a (very) dark comedy that provides social commentary. It's clear just from the main plot that the movie had some fairly high aspirations with what it could do, but the creative team falls short of those, preventing  The Belko Experiment from becoming anything all that special. Additionally, the kills are quite standard for this sort of fare, which will be disappointing for viewers eager to see some grisly, creative murders.

In terms of the performances, the movie is anchored by Gallagher, Jr., who is essentially the main hero. There isn't a whole lot of depth to his Mike character, but the actor makes for a solid conduit for the regular everyman watching, grounding the proceedings by giving  The Belko Experiment a human element that boosts the final product. He's complemented nicely by Arjona as Mike's girlfriend Leandra. Likewise, that role is a bit thinly written, but the two do make for a good pair and are easy to root for as the gore ratchets up as the film moves along. Most viewers will probably find themselves aligning with Mike's faction, since they frequently come across as the more relatable and "normal" ones, given the circumstances.

Underwritten parts are prevalent in  The Belko Experiment , as many of the supporting characters are there to simply fill out the office and react the carnage happening around them. While this is understandable, it also prevents many of the murders from having any kind of impact in the grand scheme of things, and the people in the movie are largely props taking part in a sadistic game. That said, Goldwyn and McGinely have more to do than others and try to make the most of their screen time. The former's Barry Norris morphs into a foil for Mike, though Goldwyn does make some acting choices to prevent Belko's COO from becoming a mindless, mustache-twirling villain. On the flip side, McGinley's Wendell is a stereotypical office creep who comes across as cartoonish at times. The rest of the cast is rounded out by frequent Gunn collaborators Michael Rooker, Gunn's brother Sean, David Dastmalchian, and Melonie Diaz, who all do decent work, but nothing all that substantial.

On-paper,  The Belko Experiment sounded like a great concept, but is hampered by run-of-the-mill direction that doesn't elevate the material to the next level. Its fate is most likely to become a new guilty pleasure for horror fans, since its svelte running time (well under two hours) and violence make it a fun watch if one's expectations aren't set too high. Gunn and McLean deserve credit for trying something with the potential to be original and different, they just couldn't quite get all the way there. Viewers intrigued by the marketing might get a kick out of seeing The Belko Experiment in theaters with a group of friends, but those on the fence can wait for home media.

The Belko Experiment is now playing in U.S. theaters. It runs 88 minutes and is rated R for strong bloody violence throughout, language including sexual references, and some drug use.

Let us know what you thought of the film in the comments!

The Belko Experiment

Written by James Gunn, produced by Peter Safran, and directed by Greg McLean, The Belko Experiment follows a group of eighty American workers who get trapped inside their office in Bogota, Colombia, and in an cruel social experiment, they are forced to kill each other. Despite not being directed by James Gunn, his frequent collaborators Sean Gunn and Michael Rooker appear in the film.

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The Belko Experiment

Where to watch.

Rent The Belko Experiment on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

What to Know

The Belko Experiment offers a few moments of lurid fun for genre enthusiasts, but lacks enough subversive smarts to consistently engage once the carnage kicks in.

Critics Reviews

Audience reviews, cast & crew.

Greg McLean

John Gallagher Jr.

Tony Goldwyn

Barry Norris

Adria Arjona

Leandra Flores

John C. McGinley

Wendell Dukes

Josh Brener

Keith McLure

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The Belko Experiment (2016)

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A group of eighty American workers are locked in their office and ordered by an unknown voice to participate in a twisted game.

Where does The Belko Experiment rank today? The JustWatch Daily Streaming Charts are calculated by user activity within the last 24 hours. This includes clicking on a streaming offer, adding a title to a watchlist, and marking a title as 'seen'. This includes data from ~1.3 million movie & TV show fans per day.

The Belko Experiment is 2053 on the JustWatch Daily Streaming Charts today. The movie has moved up the charts by 1503 places since yesterday. In India, it is currently more popular than Things Heard & Seen but less popular than Fences.

Streaming charts last updated: 9:15:37 am, 28/08/2024

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