‘Death Game’ Blu-ray Review

Stars: Sondra Locke, Colleen Camp, Seymour Cassel, Beth Brickell, Ruth Warshawsky | Written by Anthony Overman, Michael Ronald Ross | Directed by Peter S. Traynor

Low-budget exploitation thriller Death Game, which comes from Peter S. Traynor and stars Sondra Locke, Colleen Camp, and Seymour Cassel, blends elements of psychological horror, suspense, and dark comedy. The film, often categorized as an exploitation classic, provides a unique yet disturbing examination of sexual politics, revenge, and moral ambiguity.

The plot revolves around George Manning (Seymour Cassel), a wealthy and seemingly average man whose life takes a dramatic turn when two mysterious young women, Agatha (Sondra Locke) and Donna (Colleen Camp), knock on his door during a rainstorm. After letting them inside for a warm bath and shelter, George finds himself drawn into a dangerous game of seduction, manipulation, and violence. What starts as a seemingly harmless encounter escalates into a sadistic power struggle, as the two women torment George in increasingly cruel and bizarre ways.

One of the film’s standout elements is the unrelenting tension it builds throughout its runtime. From the moment the women enter George’s home, there’s a palpable sense of unease. The setting—a large, isolated house—enhances this feeling of entrapment, turning George’s sanctuary into a nightmarish prison. The film uses its claustrophobic atmosphere to mirror George’s growing helplessness as his world spirals out of control.

The performances of Locke and Camp as the deranged intruders are central to the film’s impact. Locke, with her icy demeanour and unsettling calm, creates a character who is chilling in her unpredictability. Camp’s portrayal of the more playful yet equally dangerous Donna adds a layer of contrast, making their partnership more terrifying. Both actresses fully embrace the campy, over-the-top nature of the material, blending moments of absurdity with genuine menace. Cassel, playing the hapless victim, also delivers a solid performance, oscillating between disbelief, rage, and desperation as his life unravels.

However, Death Game is not without its flaws. The pacing can feel uneven at times, with certain scenes dragging on longer than necessary, diluting the overall tension. Additionally, some of the violence and sadistic acts come off as excessive, designed more for shock value than narrative coherence. This is a hallmark of exploitation cinema, but for some viewers, it might feel gratuitous.

A key element in Death Game is its subversion of traditional gender roles in horror. George, initially the dominant male figure, is quickly reduced to a powerless victim, while the two women—typically cast as helpless or passive in genre films—become the aggressors. This reversal of power dynamics, while intriguing, also raises questions about the film’s portrayal of female agency, as the women are depicted as unhinged, sadistic, and nihilistic.

Ultimately, Death Game is a strange, unsettling, and often uncomfortable film that stays true to the exploitation genre’s commitment to pushing boundaries. Its blend of suspense, horror, and dark comedy, coupled with memorable performances from Locke and Camp, make it an intriguing, if flawed, exploration of violence and power. Though not a mainstream success, its cult status endures, particularly among fans of 1970s exploitation cinema. Like me.

Special Features:

• In-depth interviews with cult movie legend Colleen Camp and director Peter Traynor, conducted by Eli Roth
• Additional interviews with co-star Sondra Locke, producer Larry Spiegel, cinematographer/editor David Worth, and screenwriter Michael Ronald Ross
• Audio commentaries by Colleen Camp & Eli Roth, and Larry Spiegel & David Worth
• 24-page full-color booklet with rare photos and liner notes
• Extensive still galleries
• And more!

This new Blu-ray of Death Game, from Grindhouse/Radiance Films, is presented for the first time on UK home video in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio, meticulously restored in 4K from the original camera negative and looks absolutely stunning… It sure beats the ropey presentation(s) I’ve seen it in before!

**** 4/5

Death Game is out on Blu-ray now.