ANTIDOTE (2021) Reviews and overview of hospital horror

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‘Immortality comes with pain’
Antidote is a 2021 American horror film about a young woman who is held captive in a strange medical facility where treatment involves pain.

Directed by Peter Daskaloff (Girls After Dark) from a screenplay co-written with Matthew Toronto, the Souvenir Films stars Ashlynn Yennie (Killer Cheerleader; Fear, Inc.; The Human Centipede (First Sequence)), Louis Mandylor (The Doorman; Doom: Annihilation; Rambo: Last Blood; Daylight’s End), Yorgos Karamihos, Augie Duke, Ravi Naidu and Christos Vasilopoulos.

Plot:
A woman is admitted into a hospital for emergency surgery, but she wakes up in a bizarre medical facility where patients are treated like lab rats as mysterious doctors are trying out a cure for all ills. The clinical research is brutal — human endurance is put to the test and she must find a way to escape or continue to be used as a human guinea pig…

Our review:
While Antidote is encumbered with a fair few hospital horror tropes and Augie Duke’s obvious skull cap is distracting in every scene she’s in, there are a number of diverting flashback reveals that serve to move the plot along neatly and draw the audience in. That said, the overtly nasty deeds enacted upon most of the lead characters may be too repulsive for some squeamish viewers.

Ultimately, the hilariously histrionic final section that brings everything to a conclusion will probably induce giggles or outright guffaws, making up for any previous feelings of revulsion.

Other reviews:
“Director and co-writer Peter Daskaloff keeps the film moving at a nice space as I never felt bored or checked the time. There are some graphic effects sequences that he does an excellent job of piecing together so they look realistic […] I enjoyed Antidote. It features a talented cast, a compelling score, interesting production values, and an effective visual narrative.” Fears Mag

Antidote is a claustrophobic, gory, micro-budgeted flick that is better than it has any right to be but still suffers from a host of problems. The acting is uneven, the sound is spotty, and the limited resources become painfully apparent in the third act. Despite all that, I found myself really enjoying the film. Daskaloff manages to create a sense of tension and dread for less than the catering budget of Midsommar.” Film Threat

“Scattered throughout the production, in many places, are numerous surprises that will keep audience members at the edge of their seats. Antidote is without doubt a must-see thriller. The characters drive the narrative forwards.” Harsh Light News

“The garish images of masked clinicians sawing off limbs are inherently nightmarish and may have resonated more soundly if contextualized with today’s urgent anxieties in mind. As presented, the film is designed strictly for graphic sensationalism that doesn’t fully capitalize on the claustrophobic setting and lacks a palpable emotional anchor from its lead.” Rue Morgue

Release:
Antidote will be released by Uncork’d Entertainment on DVD and Digital on May 11, 2021.

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Cast and characters (alphabetical):
Scott Alin … Nico Cash
Victoria Bellos … Paramedic
Joe Corzo … Doctor
Ken Del Conte … Blind Man
Sady Diallo … Patient
Augie Duke … Cassandra
Evan Faunce … Doctor Caraway
Olive Bernadette Hoffman … Ashley
Yorgos Karamihos … Costas
Konstantinos Lachanas … Doctor Martinez
Louis Mandylor … Doctor Aaron Hellenbach
Ashley Miers … Doctor
Joshua Edward Moore … Delivery Guy
Ravi Naidu … Everett
Yiannis Photinos … Nurse
Elli Rahn … Hector
Alexi Stavrou … Lester
Christos Vasilopoulos … Rizzo
Gina Venditti … Doctor Tylor
Jeremy S. Walker … Doctor Phillip Merritt (as Jeremy Steven Walker)
Ashlynn Yennie … Sharyn Berkley

Filming locations:
Los Angeles, California

Previous title:
Panacea

Technical details:
1 hour 27 minutes
Aspect ratio: 2.35: 1

Budget:
$750,000 (estimated)

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