I think we can all agree that Jeremy Saulnier would make a terrible dinner party guest. He’s the writer-director of the most sadistic movies I’ve ever seen and I think someone needs to give him a houseplant and one of those sappy Hallmark cards with a nice beach scene on the front. Like, the man needs a hug only I wouldn’t recommend anyone get close enough to give him one. A man who makes movies this crazy has to be a little deranged, right?
Okay, I don’t really know a single thing about Saulnier, and judging by his IMDB profile pic, I’d say he’s a Mumford & Sons listening, Wholefoods shopping, Keds wearing dude like any other. Only he’s also a brilliant writer and director who just happens to like fucking with people.
I watched Blue Ruin all by my lonesome and survived. Green Room is even 
more of a trial. It’s about a not very successful punk band on a tour of tiny bars and rec rooms about to head home when they get one last gig that pays too well to ignore. They should have ignored it though because the neo-Nazis who show up to hear them play are a little more than they bargained for. Shit goes down, and it’s not just uncomfortable racist undertones, it’s more the literal tearing out of your throat variety.
It’s a horror-thriller that doesn’t apologize for relishing the bloodiness of 
the genre, but this one has the surprising addition of exceptional acting. I liked Blue Ruin for defying my expectations of the genre, and Green Room of guilty of the same, to some extent. It has a real plot and a set-up that won’t make you cringe in its obviousness or its thinness. When Saulnier’s name is attached to a film (this is his third – the perfect opportunity, and maybe his only opportunity to indulge and be indulged in such a gorefest) you’re pretty much guaranteed a nail-biter. There’s breathtaking cruelty around every corner, but I was even more surprised by the tiny flickers of humanity that sneak up on you.
Green Room is not an easy watch, but if you think you have the stomach for it, you should probably put Saulnier on your watch list.
ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES 
This film was brutal!
LikeLike
Totally. I knew it would be so I waited to muck up my courage, but it was still tough. And Sean, who hadn’t seen Blue Ruin, was totally traumatized!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did watch most of this film, but it kind of wore me out – maybe too real to be able to distance one’s self from the possibility of it all.
LikeLike
It’s exhausting! It’s unrelenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Everyone has been talking about this movie, but still haven’t seeing it yet. Might have to check it out. Thanks for the review of it!
LikeLike
Just have an exit strategy! Or see it with a designated buddy! Or have lots of stress snacks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha…will do!
LikeLike
I loved Green Room, I was actually kind of surprised because it wasn’t nearly as gory as I was expecting it to be.
LikeLike
Every time I reach for that DVD in the library I think, “Hmm, not sure I can take this.” So I put it back. It will likely be especially hard to watch now with what’s going on in the US political climate. Hubs saw it and said it was good, so we’ll see if I get up the nerve.
LikeLike
Sounds like one for Vinnie, and not for me 🙂
LikeLike
Okay, you’ve convinced me to watch this immediately.
LikeLike
Really quite keen to see this one despite expecting it to be quite a tough watch. A friend of mine saw it a while back and recommended it.., though he did mention it was relentless.
Blue Ruin: I thought that was pretty brilliant… even if it was a tad grim!
LikeLike
As you say a pretty good horror-thriller and quite claustrophobic. It isn’t perfect, and a shame the characters lack distinguishing traits. I wouldn’t be able to describe them, except the obvious girl or boy, goodies or baddies.
LikeLike
Rip roaring thriller, great to see Yelchin in a great role, really liked Imogen Poots in it as well, I still think she’s pretty underrated.
LikeLike
I remember reading about this one. And from the description deciding it was a pass. I don’t do horror or just general ickiness well.
LikeLike
I’m with you that Saulnier needs a hug, lol, but the dude makes some brilliantly brutal films. I like Blue Ruin a bit better, but this is damn close.
LikeLike
Nice review! Definitely one of my favorite films of the year. So brutal and so well-executed. Didn’t think Patrick Stewart was capable of such villainy.
LikeLike
Pingback: I Don’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore | ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES
Finally got to see it! But watched it right before bed…definitely an uncomfortable trip into the past (there were a lot of skinheads in Florida for a while…90s?). Whew. But, I loved when they started out playing Dead Kennedys for the skinheads!
LikeLike