''Level Up'' is a 2016 British thriller film directed by Adam Randall, starring Josh Bowman,

Neil Maskell Neil Maskell (born 1976) is an English actor, writer and director who is known for his appearances in British crime and horror films. His credits include '' Nil by Mouth'' (1997), '' The Football Factory'' (2004), '' Rise of the Footsoldier'' ( ...

William Houston William Churchill Houston ( 1746 – August 12, 1788), a Founding Father of the United States, was a teacher, lawyer and statesman. Houston served as a delegate representing New Jersey in both the Continental Congress and Constitutional Conventio ...

Kulvinder Ghir Kulvinder Ghir is a British actor, comedian and writer. He is best known as one of the cast members in the sketch show '' Goodness Gracious Me'' (1998–2015). He is also known for playing Aslam in the Yorkshire-based film '' Rita, Sue and Bob ...

, Doc Brown and Leila Mimmack.

Cast

* Josh Bowman as Matt *

as Dmitri *

as The Businessman *

as Osman * Doc Brown as Joel * Leila Mimmack as Anna *

Christina Wolfe Christina Wolfe (born 1990), credited earlier in her career as Christina Ulfsparre, is an English actress. She voiced and portrayed Robyn in the 2015 video game ''Need for Speed'' and played the recurring roles of Kathryn Davis in the television ...

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 Frank Scheck is an American film critic. He is best known for his reviews in the ''New York Post'' and ''The Hollywood Reporter''. He formerly edited ''STAGES Magazine'' and worked as a theater critic for the ''Christian Science Monitor ''Th ...

of ''

The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...

'' 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 ''The Village Voice'' is an American news and culture publication based in Greenwich Village, New York City, known for being the country's first Alternative newspaper, alternative newsweekly. Founded in 1955 by Dan Wolf (publisher), Dan Wolf, ...

'' 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 Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' 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 ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' 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."

References

External links

* * {{rotten-tomatoes, level_up_2016, Level Up British thriller films 2016 thriller films 2016 films