Skip to main content

Cube (1997)

Six strangers are put in a Cube within another larger cube and all these cubes are filled with traps. Without knowing how they got there or who put them there, they all try to escape using...math.

From the director of Splice, Vincenzo Natali, takes a step in a weird direction with this film. It was almost as if the producers at the time were just going with whatever. It's hard to get performances out of anyone in a single location film. The cubes are interesting enough with the shapes and whatnot, as well as the traps that appear in rooms with prime numbers. For whatever reason.

Nicole de Boer plays the main character, Leaven, but you don't know that she's the main character till later. She's good at math, pretty, and in school. I think the director challenged her to become the next Sigourney Weaver, but I doubt there was an intention for a sequel to the film. You might recognize her from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Lieutenant Ezri Dax. Her character claims in the movie that finding out if three digit numbers are prime is astronomical in terms of the amount of math you'd have to do. This is false.

Maurice Dean Wint plays what would best be described as the antagonist of the film if you don't consider the cube itself an antagonist. He does a pretty convincing accent but his performance is best described as overacting. He hasn't been in any major film since, at least so far as I know.

The film has an unsatisfying ending and doesn't leave you wanting more, but instead leaves you disappointed that the answer that the film begged you to ask was never answered.

Result: C- (Some of the characters are poorly written, and both the film and the character actions are predictable.)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Tuner (2026)

Tuner is written and directed by Daniel Roher and centers around a piano tuner who becomes involved in cracking safes, balancing his growing criminal life with his personal relationships. The film has a very specific tone that will not work for everyone, but it knows exactly what audience it is aiming for. Roher keeps the story grounded and character-focused, allowing the tension to come more from personal choices and atmosphere than from explosive action. It moves at a deliberate pace, which may lose some viewers, but those willing to settle into its rhythm will likely appreciate what it is doing. Leo Woodall , known for The White Lotus and One Day , plays the lead role and does a strong job carrying the film. He balances the nervousness and charm of the character well, making the transition between ordinary working man and reluctant criminal believable. Woodall gives the film its emotional center and keeps the quieter moments engaging through sheer screen presence. Havana Rose L...

Passenger (2026)

Passenger is directed by André Øvredal , known for The Autopsy of Jane Doe and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark , with a script by Zachary Donohue and T.W. Burgess . The film centers around a demonic presence tied closely to the title itself, and when it focuses directly on the horror elements, it works surprisingly well. Øvredal still understands how to stage tension and build effective scares, but the material between those moments struggles to stay engaging. The pacing slows considerably whenever the horror steps aside, leaving the film feeling uneven overall. Jacob Scipio , known for Bad Boys for Life and Expend4bles , takes on the boyfriend role but never fully feels like someone the audience naturally roots for. Whether intentional or not, his screen presence lacks the vulnerability or charisma needed to carry the quieter sections of the film. He handles the horror scenes competently enough, but the emotional connection never really forms. Lou Llobell , known for Foundatio...

In the Grey (2026)

In the Grey is written and directed by Guy Ritchie , known for Snatch and The Gentlemen , and the film carries all the style and personality audiences expect from him. The dialogue is sharp, the pacing is confident, and the story constantly moves with a sense of swagger that keeps it entertaining throughout. Ritchie once again proves he knows how to make even familiar action setups feel fresh through his direction and character work. Eiza González , known for Baby Driver and Ambulance , plays the beautiful and manipulative lawyer role perfectly. She brings confidence and charisma to every scene, balancing charm with danger in a way that fits naturally into Ritchie’s world. Beyond just looking the part, she fully commits to the character’s aggressive personality and ends up being one of the film’s strongest presences. Henry Cavill , known for Man of Steel and The Witcher , delivers another very likable performance. His natural charm works extremely well here, especially in the fil...