11-11-11 (2011)

Directed by: Darren Lynn Bousman | 95 minutes | horror, thriller | Actors: Timothy Gibbs, Michael Landes, Denis Rafter, Wendy Glenn, Lluís Soler, Brendan Price, Lolo Herrero, Montserrat Alcoverro, Benjamin Cook, Salomé Jiménez, J. LaRose, Patrizia Medrano

Nice gimmick! Darren Lynn Bousman – known from the ‘Saw’ series – will release his new film ’11-11-11′ on the same date. That in itself is a clever idea from a marketing point of view, but Bousman goes one step further. The film will not only be released in cinemas, but will also be available on DVD on the same date and can be requested via pay TV. genius! Unfortunately, the film in question cannot be categorized under that heading….

Broken and worn out author Joseph Crone (Gibbs) has a traumatic past. His wife and son were burned alive. A horrific event with major consequences. Antidepressants are now Crone’s best friend. When his estranged brother calls from Spain that their father is dying, Crone decides to visit his dad. With great reluctance, because the atheistic author cannot get along with his religious family. Meanwhile, Crone sees the number combination 11-11-11 popping up all around him. What is the meaning of that?

The idea of ​​the meaning of number combinations is interesting, but unfortunately has produced few notable films. The flop “The Number 23” with Jim Carrey in a serious role is an example of a good idea poorly executed. Unfortunately, ’11-11-11′ is also a miss. Bousman has failed to make a fascinating – let alone exciting – film. That has several causes.

The acting leaves a lot to be desired. Gibbs fails to portray his character sympathetically. Crone is an introverted man with a grudge against religion. Every once in a while he thinks he has to tell why he doesn’t believe in God. Of course, this is accompanied by clichés such as “in a world full of hatred and pain, there CAN be no God” and more of that beauty. Unfortunately, Crone is forced to repeat these words over and over, as his believing family continually preaches the word of the lord. Sometimes you feel as a viewer a kind of plaything of a religion freak. Bousman constantly insists on the importance of religion. In the long run, the main character becomes more and more open to a belief in a supreme being.

Bousman has little faith in his audience, because events – which you have just seen – are continuously repeated orally. Crone’s atheism, his traumatic past and his bad relationship with his family: everything is portrayed and discussed extensively by the characters a few times. ’11-11-11′ often repeats itself and that causes the film to drag over time. Despite a running time of only 85 minutes!

The mystery surrounding the doom number is also disappointing, because a trained viewer can predict the outcome of the story fairly quickly. That the special effects are also disappointing – the danger that everyone is so afraid of looks laughable rather than terrifying – and the make-up looks amateurish (putting people up with make-up does not necessarily mean that they look old and sick) , doesn’t do the movie any good. The soundtrack and the dark decors enhance the atmosphere and at times ’11-11-11′ exudes an ominous atmosphere. Unfortunately, that is not enough to make a horror film exciting. Missed opportunity, this genius marketing stunt around a failed film.