Guns Akimbo

Guns Akimbo

“Miles (Daniel Radcliffe) nerdy existence changes dramatically when he inadvertently gets caught up with SKIZM, an underground gang hosting real-life death matches that are broadcast online. Miles excels at running away from everything, but that won’t help him outlast Nix, a crazy psychopathic killer at the top of her game.”

Guns Akimbo opens as we’re introduced to the online sensation of SKIZM, a real life to-the-death battle between two contestants. The fan-favorite and unstoppable Nix (Samara Weaving) easily dispatches of her rivals in an adrenalin/drug fueled spectacle that has people across the globe savagely cheering and wanting more. Enter Miles, a programmer for a mobile app, who detests SKIZM and spends his free time trolling the fans, inciting conflicts and arguments from the safety behind the keyboard, like any troll. Well, that doesn’t sit too kindly with the SKIZM moderator, who happens to be the leader of the overly-violent phenomenon, who gives Miles a chance to tuck tail and leave the channel, but for a troll, that is fuel to the fire, and he persists. When the moderator replies to Miles with his own IP Address, Miles quickly turns off the computer, receiving a phone notification moments later. Thankfully, it is his ex-girlfriend, Nova (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), who wants to meet up in the park. Shortly after, Miles gets a visit from Riktor (Ned Dennehy), leader of SKIZM, along with several other of his lackies that knock out Miles and take him away. When he wakes up, back in his apartment, he has two handguns bolted to his hands, unable to move his fingers except to squeeze the trigger. After several unsuccessful attempts to get dressed, he’s interrupted by Nix, trying to kill him, as he is now the new contestant in the game, with only the survivor allowed to live.

Daniel Radcliffe has gone to great lengths to distance himself for what he’s best known for, always choosing the most unique and strange roles available. Well, it’s worked, because whether I’m watching Swiss Army Man, Horns, or Guns Akimbo, I don’t see anything resembling The Boy Who Lived in his performances. They’re weird, but very entertaining roles, and this film is no different. If I could compare this film to anything, it would be a cross between Crank and Gamer, with those crazy styles that cater to the ADD generation, quick cuts, action that doesn’t let up, purposefully trying to be as weird as possible with things like his ammo count popping up on screen every time he fires a shot.

Saban Films has done it again, providing a film that comes out of nowhere with some great names attached to it. Daniel Radcliffe’s Miles is hilariously pitiful, letting his boss bully him at work, doing nothing but drink and make fun of people online in his spare time, but as horrifying is having guns bolted to your hands is, it has forced him to man up and face the situation, eventually. It causes him to change for the better, and watching that change is pretty entertaining, as his character grows tremendously, from running away and hiding in dumpsters, to willingly facing danger from all around him in the last act. Samara Weaving was someone that caught my attention in The Babysitter and then even more so in Ready or Not. She was phenomenal in those roles, especially the latter, and here, she is definitely a force to be reckoned with. As all of the people involved with SKIZM seem to be psychotic in some fashion, she fits that bill perfectly. Her physical transformation is alarming, with her body completely covered in tattoos, and a strange overall look that helps strike terror into the hearts of her opponents.

I loved the fact that the main character had guns bolted to his hands, not only is this a horrific circumstance, forcing him to participate in this death-match, but also provides some very funny situations where using your hands is vital, like putting on clothes, eating, or even using the bathroom.  That interesting bit of story is about where the uniqueness stops, though, as the film tries to emulate some of the cult films that have come before it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fun thrill ride, but seems all too familiar at times. That may not bother some, as these types of films can be extremely entertaining, and Guns Akimbo can certainly provide that. Where the film is weakest is the antagonist. Riktor is the definition of a psychopath, and it’s hard to even fathom that this guy could head an organization on the verge of going global, able to employ countless people to create these elaborate online broadcasts that just can’t be traced. That being said, I doubt most go into this insane story wanting well-written characters with deep and meaningful problems to overcome. It is what it is, and that’s entertaining.

Special Features

Lionsgate has provided a digital code for this release, with no extras included. Check out the Blu-Ray release for potential extras for Guns Akimbo.