Level Up is a 2016 British thriller film directed by Adam Randall, starring Josh Bowman, Neil Maskell, William Houston, Kulvinder Ghir, Doc Brown and Leila Mimmack.
Contents
Cast
Josh Bowman as Matt
Neil Maskell as Dmitri
William Houston as The Businessman
Kulvinder Ghir as Osman
Doc Brown as Joel
Leila Mimmack as Anna
Christina Wolfe as Kya
Paul Reynolds as Taxi Driver
Cameron Jack as Calvin
Jonathan Arkwright as Sean
Leon Annor as Keon
Pamela Binns as Old Lady
Okorie Chukwu as Hoodie
Jack Fox as Steve
Manpreet Bachu as Jamz
Rina Takasaki as Karaoke Receptionist
Samuel Fava as Beggar
Release
The film was released in the United States on 26 August 2016.
Reception
Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter wrote that the film "achieves most of its tension thanks to the pulsing musical score by the British electronic duo Plaid", and while the screenplay "admirably stresses action over dialogue", it "falls somewhat short in the clarity department." He also praised Bowman's performance, writing that he "well fulfills the considerable physical demands of his everyman role, engaging our sympathy with his less than macho responses to the dangers with which he’s faced."
Pete Vonder Haar of The Village Voice wrote that Randall "keeps the action tightly paced and the dialogue to a refreshing minimum, helping to heighten Matt’s growing isolation."
Dennis Harvey of Variety wrote that while the film is "admirable as a demonstration of resourcefulness within modest budget confines", and is "watchable enough", it "fails to come up with anything original or memorable in the realms of plotting, atmosphere, or character invention.".
Jeannette Catsoulis of The New York Times wrote that while Randall "shows some aptitude for the tease and for maintaining a stranglehold on the movie’s sourly cynical tone", while Bolten "gives key indoor scenes a bilious menace", the film "requires a lead with considerably more charisma and skills than Mr. Bowman."