Mind Games and High Stakes: Reviewing Exam (2009)
Exam is a suspenseful thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The film revolves around eight candidates who are vying for a high-level job in a mysterious corporation. The candidates are given a single sheet of paper and are instructed to answer one question. The catch? There are no instructions on the paper, no prompts, no guidelines. The candidates must figure out what the question is and how to answer it.
As the clock ticks down, tensions rise and the candidates begin to turn on each other. The pressure to succeed is palpable, and the stakes are high. The film cleverly plays with expectations, as each candidate's backstory and motivations are slowly revealed.
What makes it so compelling is its tight, minimalist approach. The entire film takes place in a single room, and the camera rarely leaves the candidates' faces. This creates a sense of claustrophobia and intimacy that draws you in and makes you feel part of the action.
The cast is very well selected, with standout performances from Luke Mably and Nathalie Cox. Director Stuart Hazeldine manages to keep the tension high throughout the film's 101-minute runtime, and the ending is satisfying, clever, and unexpected.
This is a thrilling ride and it's a testament to the power of storytelling and the human drive to succeed, no matter the cost. You actually find yourself involved in the schemes being discussed and it makes you think more than usual.
I rate it 3.5 out of 5.
Direction Rating: 0.75/1
Cinematography Rating: 0.5/1
Story Rating: 1/1
Acting Rating: 0.75/1
Film Score Rating: 0.5/1
IMDB Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1258197/
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