Invitation Only   Starring: Kristian Brodie, Bryant Chang, Vivi Ho, Jerry Huang and Joseph Ma Momentum Pictures RRP: £15.99 MP1018D Certificate: 18 Available 05 April 2010

A young man is given the task of chauffeuring the company owner around. The boss gives him an invitation card to an exclusive party, explaining that he can't attend himself. So, posing as the owner's cousin, he arrives at the elaborate warehouse where the posh party full of rich people in regalia is in full swing. Here he meets an attractive young woman. The party organiser makes a stage announcement, introducing four new members, of which the man and woman are two. Separated from the party, the quartet are offered their wildest dreams, but it soon becomes apparent that a violent knifeman is stalking them. Blood and severed body parts are discovered, but when one of them finds a camera monitor control room, it is with the horrific realisation that the four of them are to be tortured and killed for the entertainment of the other guests...

When the PR paperwork cites successful films as a comparison, it's normally a sure sign that the film being promoted is a poor imitation (in this case the films are Saw and Hostel). However, I'm immensely impressed with Invitation Only. It's essentially a straightforward, if a little unusual, plotline. It works well because the characters and premise are fleshed-out, with the motive for the whole affair being that the rich and powerful look down with contempt on the 'little people' (our four guests in particular) who pretend to be something they are not. Such is the position they see themselves in that they feel they can do anything they please and get away with it. This cold, calculated hatred is even demonstrated to the so-called noble gathering when it's announced that one of the guests' wildest dream is to be beautiful. The perpetrator sneers on this by coolly slicing open her face and packing it with salt.

Yes, there are scenes of torture present, but thankfully, and rather skillfully, they are overshadowed by the sheer suspense and anticipation. This is edge of the seat stuff, where characters are obliged to dig deep into their very being to adapt and survive. Emotions are yanked one way and the other, as we watch a pawn of life go from boredom, through uneasiness, joy, pride, anxiety, terror and determination.

Invitation Only is Taiwan's first slasher film, and signifies potential things to come in the same genre from director Kevin Ko. Anyone short-sighted enough to be put off by subtitles, please give this one a chance. It deserves it. I'm just a little disappointed by the absence of extras, as all we get here is a trailer.

8

Ty Power