Does J.M. Stelly's "ABACUS" (2024) Add Up To Thrills And Chills? (REVIEW)

After 2004’s “SAW,” the locked-room puzzle box horror-thriller hybrid became incredibly popular. Films like “HOSTEL” (2205), “HOUSE OF 9” (2005), and “EXAM” (2009) all lean into the formula created by Leigh Whannell.  Strangers trapped together in a room of secrets making life-or-death decisions as the clock runs out can deliver some of the best thrills we’ve seen onscreen over the past 2 decades, and the formula continues to see new life to this day.  “ABACUS,” directed by J.M. Stelly (“WITHIN MADNESS,” “CONJURE,” “THE DOCTORS APPRENTICE”) and released by Anatomica Films, adds to this roster with a tale about three desperate men forced to decide which two must die for one to walk free. Does the premise work? Is “ABACUS” a bold new direction for tense, claustrophobic thrillers or a retread of what’s already been done to death? Read on to find out.

WHAT’S IT ABOUT:

ABACUS is a mind-bending thriller that weaves aspects of horror, drama, and thriller. Three men are placed in a game where one misstep could mean the end of not only their lives but also the lives of their loved ones. The prominent elements of the “SAW” franchise are present: the elevator shaft setting, the off-camera puppet master pulling the strings (they’ve copied the vocals so closely we’re worried about litigation), and the backstories slowly coming to light. The difference with this film is that the emphasis is on the protagonists and not the villains.

THE HITS:

The only saving grace of this film is the gorgeous black-and-white cinematography by Jason Scott Parker. It helps to draw out the desperation of the characters' situations and highlights the tension and anxiety on the actors' faces. It brings to mind some of the grainy black-and-white films of the late ’90s and early 2000s, like Ferrara’s “THE ADDICTION,” Jarmusch’s “DEAD MEN,” and Smith’s “CLERKS.” There’s a richness to the cinematography that helps draw out the characters’ dead-end lives and succeeds in illustrating their lethal predicament. The visuals do much of the heavy lifting in “ABACUS” instead of an engaging script. We wish all the elements of this movie were as good as it looks and rose above their amateur status. 

THE MISSES:

The glaring issue is that “ABACUS” is a short film.  A tight 40 minutes would have elevated this film above where it ultimately lands.  The grueling pace would have been trimmed down to provide a sense of urgency that’s a must for any ticking clock film.  Your cuts and transitions need to match the anxiety of the characters and the meandering pace works against every aspect of the movie.  Once momentum is built, we transition to a scene that goes on too long, resulting in any tension draining from the film like air from a balloon. The acting comes off languid when it should be frantic. The few moments where the script comes to life are hamstrung by the limitations of the performances, coming off more shrill than desperate.  These scenes make it feel like the actors are in different movies altogether. This film screams out for edits to correct issues on multiple fronts. “ABACUS” trades tension, pace, and punch for an arthouse aesthetic that’s entirely out of place for this type of film. It’s constantly at odds with itself. Unlike “SAW,” which knew its genre, “Abacus” can’t pick a lane.  At times, wanting to be a dramatic character study; then a chaotic screamfest.  You can certainly have both these elements in a film, but there needs to be flow. For a thriller to work, it must cruise along, gathering speed to a devastating conclusion. This film feels like a first-time driver slamming on the brakes constantly

THE BOTTOM LINE:   

We always appreciate indie filmmakers trying to bring their unique vision to the screen.  We support indie film, and even when the result is less than we will always look forward to a director learning and evolving in their craft.  It’s always a challenge taking on a trope that’s seen massive success and trying to find a distinct, original direction to take the sub-genre. We can respect the attempt, but it has to rise above what’s come before, or it’s just unremarkable repetition.  

WHERE CAN YOU SEE IT:

“ABACUS” will be available on AMAZON VIDEO in the US and UK on November 5, 2024, followed by a release across other VOD platforms and a Blu-Ray in 2025. Both film

Stay up to date with “The Dark Side Of Pop Culture” by following Macabre Daily on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.