Patrick Stewart Is Absolutely Terrifying in This Thriller From 2015

Among numerous thrillers, only a select few can truly grip you with fear or leave you profoundly affected. These intensely captivating thrillers are Jeremy Saulnier’s forte. His 2013 film, Blue Ruin, signaled the emergence of a fresh cinematic talent in this genre. His ability to craft electrifying thrillers brimming with unexpected twists and tactile action was further validated with his 2024 movie, Rebel Ridge, starring Aaron Pierre. Even Saulnier’s controversial 2018 film, Hold the Dark, has its devoted fanbase due to its unique visual style.

Throughout his distinguished filmmaking career, Green Room stands as Saulnier’s most remarkable achievement. Unleashed in April 2016, following its premiere at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, Green Room filled cinemas with gruesome chaos and an unexpectedly intense performance by Patrick Stewart. Despite its harrowing violence and graphic scenes of injury, Green Room is a riveting, grisly thriller that thrives on outstanding performances and bold, assured direction.

What Is Green Room About?

Indie punk band, The Ain’t Rights, known for their gritty determination to succeed, have played some unusual venues. Yet, they’ve never encountered a place quite like the seedy bar on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon, owned by a group of neo-Nazis. This group – consisting of bassist Pat (Anton Yelchin), guitarist Sam (Alia Shawkat), drummer Rebecca (Joe Cole), and lead vocalist Tiger (Callum Turner) – have been asked to perform as the opening act for a real white supremacist band, Cowcatcher. The bar’s owner and leader of these neo-Nazis is a chilling figure named Darcy (Stewart).

Right from the start, the script for “Green Room” (written by Saulnier as well) takes off at a fast pace with an intriguing good versus evil theme. Historically, punk rock has been employed to question societal norms and challenge racism, making musicians in this genre natural adversaries for a group of neo-Nazis. By focusing the narrative around these particular villains, “Green Room” introduces antagonists who are instantly perceived as malevolent upon their appearance on screen. There’s no need for lengthy explanations to explain the ruthlessness of Darcy and his gang; the abundance of swastikas serves as a chilling reminder for viewers to fear these individuals.

When The Ain’t Rights band members discover a corpse within their premises, Darcy commands their immediate execution. This is where the most harrowing and intense scenes from the movie “ Green Room ” unfold. Machetes and boxcutters become the preferred tools of destruction as the Nazis wreak havoc on these punk rockers, resulting in copious amounts of blood and limbs hanging by a thread. The brutal violence will cause you to shudder in your seat, while the confined nature of this neo-Nazi outpost amplifies the fear felt by Pat and his group. They find themselves cornered in a cramped area with few hiding spots. Every subtle sound or movement becomes significantly more unsettling against such a backdrop.

Patrick Stewart and Anton Yelchin Excel in Green Room

Patrick Stewart has predominantly portrayed trustworthy figures throughout his career, such as Professor Xavier in X-Men or Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek. In these roles, he emanates a strong presence that inspires people to follow him into any situation while also exuding a comforting demeanor that makes it evident why they would seek emotional support from him. However, the film Green Room cleverly subverts this established persona as Stewart delves into his character Darcy. In this role, he is again a figure of authority whom people look up to for guidance. Regrettably, he assumes the position of a ruthless neo-Nazi leader who leverages his power to propagate white supremacy and instigate violence.

In this role, Stewart effectively projects an unsettling screen presence that differs from Picard or Xavier’s welcoming personas. His performance in Green Room is so compelling that it seamlessly fits within Stewart’s filmography without appearing as a deviation. Stewart truly brings Darcy to life as a credible, standalone character in the movie. At the heart of the film is Anton Yelchin, who delivered one of his final acting performances before his untimely death in June 2016. Yelchin’s gentle, subtle acting style creates an intriguing contrast with The Ain’t Rights music and the violent Neo-nazi chaos that surrounds him.

Yelchin serves as an outstanding anchor for the movie “Green Room“. Alongside him, there are numerous standout performances in director Jeremy Saulnier’s third full-length film, including Imogen Poots, Shawkat, and Stewart, who shine particularly brightly in the supporting roles. If you have a weak stomach or can’t bear the sound of dismembered limbs, it might be best to avoid “Green Room“. However, for those who appreciate bold cinema, “Green Room” is a must-see showcase of Saulnier’s filmmaking abilities. Additionally, watching this movie will forever change your perception of Patrick Stewart.

Green Room is now streaming on Prime Video.

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2025-01-26 19:10