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Bingo hell (2021) - 4K quality
Bingo hell (2021)
- Time: 85 minutes
- Director: Gigi Saul Guerrero
- Country: United States
- Categories: Comedy Fantasy Horror
- Release: 2021
- IMDB: 4.2/10
- Actor: Adriana Barraza, L. Scott Caldwell, Joshua Caleb Johnson
- Tags: 4k Movies Bingo Hell Movies Movies 2021
Bingo Hell is a 2021 American comedy horror film directed by Gigi Saul Guerrero from a screenplay that she co-wrote with Shane McKenzie and Perry Blackshear. The film is the fifth installment in the anthological Welcome to the Blumhouse film series. The film stars Adriana Barraza, L. Scott Caldwell, and Joshua Caleb Johnson
Released in 2021, “Bingo Hell” is a film that combines elements of horror, dark comedy, and social commentary. Directed by Gigi Saul Guerrero, a filmmaker known for her unique approach to the horror genre, this film stands as a vivid example of how horror can be used to explore and critique societal issues.
Director: Gigi Saul Guerrero
Gigi Saul Guerrero, a rising talent in the horror genre, brings her distinctive style to “Bingo Hell.” Guerrero is known for her ability to blend horror with social themes, creating films that are not only frightening but also thought-provoking.
Her work often includes elements of her Mexican heritage, which adds a rich layer of cultural context to her storytelling. In “Bingo Hell,” Guerrero continues this trend, making a film that is both entertaining and meaningful.
Genre: Horror, Comedy, Social Commentary
“Bingo Hell” is a film that defies easy categorization. Primarily, it is a horror movie, filled with the genre’s typical tropes of suspense, fear, and supernatural elements. However, it also incorporates dark comedy, using humor to highlight the absurdity of certain situations and characters.
Additionally, the film serves as a social commentary, addressing issues such as gentrification, greed, and community degradation.
The Plot
A man named Mario comes home, having just sold his bingo hall. Seemingly in a daze…he dances around to the tune of classic Spanish music playing on vinyl. He begins speaking to himself, and then a picture of his dead wife Patricia about the sale. He says he can fulfill his promise of leaving “this place”.
He puts down a suitcase of money, and begins to greedily eat a serving tray full of bingo balls. An ominous voice coaxes him on, until he chokes to death.
An elderly woman named Lupita walks around Oak Springs one morning and meets up with her friend Clarence (who owns an auto repair shop). Lupita then goes to see her hairdresser, Yolanda, whose electricity is being fixed by Morris.
Morris is not able to fix it because he says he doesn’t have the right tools and leaves.
Cut to Dolores, who is mad at her daughter-in-law Raquel for not providing proper discipline for her grandson who has been breaking into cars and getting away with whatever he wants. She is also angry at the daughter-in-law for not doing her part and being irresponsible around the house after moving in when her husband died.
Dolores then goes to Yolanda’s and meets up with Lupita who is already there. They have a discussion about Caleb, and Lupita brings up the similarities with Dolores’s son who has died and takes issue to it.
After an awkward silence, Lupita apologizes and Dolores accepts begrudgingly before Lupita leaves. Lupita goes to a bingo game at the local bingo hall, but they finish up when they realize Mario has not paid his electricity bills.
The next day, Lupita and her friends find flyers around town saying that the bingo hall is under new management. Lupita, Morris, Clancy, Dolores and Yolanda decide to take a look at it and realize that the bingo hall has been transformed into a casino. While there, Dolores spots Raquel, who wins ten thousand dollars from the owner, Mr. Big.
The next morning, Caleb and Dolores find that Raquel left them with her money. Raquel arrives at a motel, where she begins to rip off the straps of a dress.
However, standing behind her is Mr. Big, who makes her hallucinate it while in reality she is using her fingernails to rip off her flesh. Lupita breaks into Mario’s house and finds his corpse, before realizing that she hallucinated it.
They go back to the bingo hall, and this time Clarence wins one hundred thousand dollars.
That night, Clarence parties by himself next to his car, drinking a bottle of beer, not realizing that he is actually drinking motor oil. He then sticks his arm into a car motor, violently shredding it and eventually killing him, not seeing the shadow of Mr. Big inside the car.
Lupita finds Clarence’s body and sees Morris talking to Mr. Big, who gives him a stamp on his hand which begins to disintegrate. Lupita realizes the entire Oak Springs have been lured into the bingo hall, and heads there with her shotgun and with Eric. Caleb tries to break in, blaming the place for his mom’s disappearance, but Eric catches him and chases him inside.
Mr. Big confronts him and then makes Eric stab himself in the neck with a poisoned syringe, before killing him by stomping on his skull.
Lupita tries to get the residents to leave but Mr. Big begins to crush her head against a podium, before Caleb shoots him in the back. Lupita destroys the TV and the residents attack Mr. Big, brutally beating him, until Lupita cracks open his head with the butt of her shotgun. Caleb sets fire to the money and they escape, leaving Mr. Big to burn.
Cinematography and Visual Style
“Bingo Hell” boasts a vibrant visual style that contrasts with its dark themes. The use of bright colors and flashy neon lights in the bingo hall scenes creates an almost surreal atmosphere. This visual approach not only adds to the film’s horror elements but also underscores its satirical tone.
The cinematography is dynamic, with creative camera angles and movements that enhance the film’s eerie and unsettling mood. The visual effects, especially in the more fantastical elements of the story, are effectively used to create a sense of dread and otherworldliness.
Characters and Performances
Adriana Barraza’s performance as Lupita is a standout. She brings a mix of toughness, humor, and vulnerability to the character, making her a relatable and compelling protagonist.
The supporting cast, including L. Scott Caldwell and Joshua Caleb Johnson, adds depth to the story, each contributing to the film’s depiction of a close-knit community facing an external threat.
Richard Brake’s portrayal of Mr. Big is both charming and menacing, creating a memorable antagonist. His performance adds a critical element of intrigue and danger to the film.
Themes and Message
“Bingo Hell” is rich in themes and social commentary. It tackles the issue of gentrification and the loss of community identity, as seen through the lens of a neighborhood undergoing unwanted changes. The film also delves into themes of greed and the corrupting influence of money, using the bingo game as a symbol of temptation and moral decay.
Moreover, the film highlights the strength and resilience of community, especially among marginalized groups. It celebrates the power of standing together against external threats, a message that resonates deeply in today’s social climate.
Reception and Impact
“Bingo Hell” received mixed reviews upon its release. While some praised its unique blend of horror, comedy, and social commentary, others found its execution lacking in certain areas. However, the film was generally lauded for its originality, visual style, and Guerrero’s direction.
The film has been recognized for bringing diversity to the horror genre, both in its cast and its exploration of social issues. “Bingo Hell” contributes to the growing trend of horror films that serve as platforms for critical commentary on real-world problems.
Conclusion
“Bingo Hell” is a distinctive and bold film that offers more than just scares. Gigi Saul Guerrero’s vision results in a movie that is a mix of horror, humor, and social critique. With its colorful visuals, strong performances, and relevant themes, the film stands out as an example of how horror can be effectively used to reflect and critique societal issues.
It’s a film that not only entertains but also prompts deeper reflection on the challenges faced by communities in the face of change and adversity. For those who appreciate horror with a purpose, “Bingo Hell” is a film that should not be missed.
