The Horror Collective Presents… THE DARE
With some brutal sequences, a good portion of the film that feels very inspired by films like Saw and Hostel, and a story that ties all the threads up in the end, The Dare has the makings of being a solid horror film for fans of the darker and more torture-infused varieties. Films like Alex Aja’s Horns, indie horror Union Furnace, and even 80s slashers all jump to mind with certain plot elements and visuals in this film. Yet, none of these similarities or influences feel copied or replicated. Instead, it’s certainly something unique, as its clear diversity in influences should display.
A rare family night for Jay takes a brutal twist when he awakens in a basement with three other prisoners. As their vengeful captor runs riot, Jay engages in a twisted battle to solve the puzzle to his past and save his family’s future.
Since their formation in late 2019, The Horror Collective has been releasing independently made genre films with unique premises and original ideas. While the results can be mixed in quality, one thing that is certain is that The Horror Collective isn’t interested in generic and hackneyed ideas. The Dare is a good example of this credo. While some of its ideas work better than others, none of the film feels stale. The script moves a little slow at times and it stakes a bit longer to connect dots than some may appreciate, but the final third of the film really delivers and really brings the story together in the end. And, besides, any film that features Richard Brake being a complete asshole is worth a watch or two, if you ask me.
Available on most VOD platforms, you can find a list of where to find the film over at The Horror Collective’s main site. Check out the trailer below and see if you can take The Dare yourself.