All Fun and Games (2023)

When a film is titled "All Fun and Games," you'd naturally expect it to be a rollicking, entertaining ride filled with games and thrills. Unfortunately, directors Eren Celeboglu and Ari Costa, along with co-writer J.J. Braider, failed to turn childhood games like hide and seek, hangman, and flashlight tag into deadly horror scenarios. "All Fun and Games" falls short, leaving the audience wanting more from what could have been a unique and intriguing concept.

The story is set in Salem, Massachusetts, known for its eerie history. It revolves around a cursed knife with the words "I Will Play, I Won't Quit" etched into its blade. This malevolent knife selects victims and forces them to compel innocent people into participating in twisted versions of childhood games, turning innocent pastimes into horrifying ordeals. What starts as a routine babysitting gig quickly spirals into a battle against a vengeful spirit from Salem's dark past. However, the film's approach to these games feels uninspired, and the characters often act in ways that defy common sense, making it a frustrating viewing experience.

One of the film's biggest letdowns is its failure to explore and fully exploit the games' potential. Hide and seek is reduced to a typical slasher scenario, with a villain slowly pursuing victims. Hangman is almost an afterthought, barely making an impact in the story. Flashlight Tag is the only game that receives a sinister twist, but even that falls short due to lackluster digital effects. The filmmakers must fully tap into these games' creative possibilities, opting for a more pedestrian and unexciting approach. This missed opportunity could be better in a genre known for pushing boundaries and taking risks.

Furthermore, the film's storytelling leaves much to be desired. It relies on overused horror tropes and often raises more questions than answers. For instance, the decision to have the babysitting teens' cell phones confiscated before their night of babysitting seems contrived and implausible. Characters must react realistically to the unfolding supernatural events, making the plot feel rushed and poorly developed. Horror films often require some suspension of disbelief, but when characters act without logic or curiosity, it detracts from the overall experience.

The scares in "All Fun and Games" also fall flat. The film relies on jump scares that lack build-up or genuine tension. Kills occur off-screen, diminishing their impact, and the ghostly children with bleeding wounds become repetitive rather than terrifying. The film resorts to quick camera cuts and abrupt appearances of creepy characters, missing opportunities to create genuine suspense. It feels rushed and fails to allow moments of terror to resonate with the audience entirely.

The young cast, including Natalia Dyer, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, and Asa Butterfield, do their best with the material they're given. Dyer portrays the enamored girlfriend and concerned older sister effectively. Ainsworth catalyzes the family's predicament, although his performance becomes uneven as the possession storyline progresses. Butterfield's portrayal of a loner turned demonic vessel is hindered by distracting voice modifications. The film sometimes creates an eerie atmosphere, capturing the unsettling nature of a noose hanging from a tree branch. Still, these moments are fleeting, leaving the characters with little depth to explore.

In summary, "All Fun and Games" falls short of its potential. While the concept of turning childhood games into horror scenarios is intriguing, the film fails to deliver on its promise. The lackluster exploration of the games, a poorly developed narrative, and ineffective scares result in a forgettable viewing experience. Despite the efforts of the cast, the film ultimately needs more depth and creativity to make it stand out in the horror genre.