I saw this film at the Philadelphia film festival in 2004. The film had quite a buzz so I was expecting something at least half way decent. It was more than half way decent. It was great. The story of two guys trapped in a locked cellar with no idea how they got there and no way out, could have very easily become a 'Saw' knockoff. But, what makes this film unique is the intimate touches of the script, and the continuing development of the characters. The writer/director Ben Hickernell first wrote this story as a play several years ago, before turning it into his first feature film. Sitting on this material for so long has undoubtedly helped the film's refined texture. Month's after seeing the film I continued to recall it's strong imagery. For me Cellar is reminder that big budgets and great classic storytelling are definitely not one in the same.

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The thriller genre features suspense, tension, and excitement. These stories are known for keeping audiences on the edge of their seats and delivering intense emotional experiences by revolving around high-stakes situations, dangerous conflicts, and the constant anticipation of unexpected events.

Two former friends wake up locked in a cellar. With them: a stockpile of canned food, a steady trickle of water and a gun with a single bullet.

Peter Pryor, Ben Hickernell, Lenny Haas, and Karen Peakes in Cellar (2005)

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