Red Rooms Transforms Online Poker into a Thrilling Experience Inspired by Serial Killers

It’s not often that a film nails the tech aspect, especially in the thriller or horror genres where realism often takes a backseat to suspense. However, *Red Rooms* manages to get it mostly right. There’s nothing that pulls me out of a movie faster than a tech plot device that feels like pure fantasy. While the term “dark web” might sound a bit over the top, the technology in this film never distracts from the story during its 118-minute runtime.

But it’s not the tech that makes *Red Rooms* stand out; it’s the potential for it to derail an otherwise fantastic film. What truly drives the movie is the masterful tension crafted by director Pascal Plante, the expertly paced slow burn, and the outstanding performances from Juliette Gariépy as Kelly-Anne and Laurie Babin as Clementine.

The narrative primarily follows Kelly-Anne, a model, hacker, and professional gambler, as she attends the trial of serial killer Ludovic Chevalier. There, she forms a bond with Clementine, a devoted fan of Chevalier who believes he’s been wrongfully accused.

Clementine is a whirlwind of energy, passionately defending Chevalier by calling into TV shows and confronting reporters outside the courtroom, making quite the scene. In contrast, Kelly-Anne remains enigmatic, with her true intentions shrouded in mystery. Even by the film’s conclusion, there’s still uncertainty about her goals and motivations.

This ambiguity is what makes *Red Rooms* so captivating. The film feels unpredictable, with characters that are neither trustworthy nor relatable. The world they navigate is both familiar and unsettling.

The film revels in this discomfort, allowing viewers to squirm as they ponder various scenarios. Is Chevalier truly the killer? Could Kelly-Anne be involved? Was one of the victims’ mothers an accomplice? Is the prosecutor hiding something?

As the story unfolds, it delves into themes of kidnapping, live-streamed torture, and snuff films, culminating in a climax that surprisingly incorporates online poker and Bitcoin into its dramatic arc. Ultimately, it’s less about the murders and more about obsession, internet culture, and media influence. It feels like a darker counterpart to David Fincher’s *Gone Girl*.

*Red Rooms* is available for streaming on AMC+ and Shudder.