TRUTH OR DARE is as common a game in the horror genre as the Ouija board. This rendition of the game is only the seventh titled film in just the last six years and with the unfolding events events of Jeff Wadlow's film, it won't be the last either. 

 

From the studio that bought us GET OUT, THE VISIT and INSIDIOUS comes a teen horror that diversifies the resume from politcal, cerebral horror to mainstream popcorn fodder. Yes ladies and gentlemen, TRUTH OR DARE is a hybrid of FINAL DESTINATION meets IT FOLLOWS in an inventive teen horror that won't split any brain cells but at least it will keep you entertained in a way horror fans have not been so for a long time.

 

Remember FRIDAY THE 13TH, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, FINAL DESTINATION and I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER. Films from a bygone era that were never revolutionary but by lord they were entertaining. Franchises that gave us gory deaths and young naive victims, well TRUTH OR DARE puts itself firmly in that catergory with plenty of death, young naive Americans and a penchant for putting a grin on your face when the pulses stop.

 

The plot revolves around a group of teens who are caught in a chain when they play a haunted twist on Truth or Dare which means its players need to keep the game going to fatal effect or suffer the consequences. This is not one to play after a few drinks.

 

Where TRUTH OR DARE may lack in actual scares, it certainly makes up for in entertaining death (lock me up now). Not since IT FOLLOWS in 2014 have we had a decent slice of teen horror and its time to pass the batton to a younger audience as the horror game really lifts its bar this year.

 

Charismatically lead by Lucy Hale and Tyler Posey, the film is exactly what it says on the tin and as the game continues, the body count increases. It's pretty by the numbers and not near as scary as it could have been but has enough inventive and entertaining scenes to keep you engaged. Luckily the deaths are as squirmish and "natural" as teen horror gets and pushes the boat with some scenes of broken bones and sheer creativity.

 

If there's something missing from the genre it's an anthology of death wrapped in a story that is just enough to pass from death to death and that's a void filled by TRUTH OR DARE and that's OK. At less than 100 minutes it never outstays its welcome and while there is not much depth to the film, it's one that knows what is is and who its audience are. For those seeking to use the old grey matter, walk away now but for anyone seeking a fun way to spend an afternoon at the cinema, there are worse ways to go. While we have a fresh barage of horror invading cinema screens including GHOST STORIES and A QUIET PLACE, this fits a nice niche for popcorn horror and it's one that is most certainly welcome and Blumhouse have another hit on their hands.