Tower Block

Despite having some potential, 'Tower Block' makes for a cringe watch.

The writing, in my opinion at least, is the problem here. There's a decent cast list and a respectable enough premise, but things fall apart when the characters act and talk - the dialogue is iffy, while some of the character decisions are very odd.

Sheridan Smith (Becky) and Jack O'Connell (Kurtis) are two capable leads and give solid performances, though their roles are average - especially Kurtis, who is so over-the-top at times it's painful to see.

As noted, the plot is alright - the way it's written isn't. The ending is rather poor, especially with the 'twist' (?). I wanted to enjoy this, and in a few minor moments I did, but all the negative parts unfortunately weigh it down tremendously.

If you want a story regarding this type of building, then I'd recommend 2011's 'Attack the Block'. This one, though not atrocious, isn't all that good sadly.

Derivative and largely formulaic thriller, but nevertheless one that remains suspenseful and compelling throughout the entire running time thanks to the raw & gritty atmosphere and a handful of extremely brutal shock-moments. Reminiscent to the other recent British flick "Attack the Block" in terms of tone & social setting, "Tower Block" takes place in a pauperized and crime-infested big city suburb where people abandoned all hope for prosperity long time ago already and desperately avoid every type of contact with fellow human beings. The film entirely takes place in a large apartment complex that is scheduled for destruction and only the residents of the top floor still live there. One Saturday morning, they are rudely awakened by a relentless psycho killer with a sniper rifle. He – or she – fires at everything that moves and placed booby-traps across the building. There's a obvious link with an unsolved murder committed in the block a few months earlier and now the asocial tenants are forced to rely on each other for survival. The biggest trumps for a film such as "Tower Block" are surprise and unpredictability. All the residents are equally insignificant, meaning that literally anyone of them could be next. And they could be next at any random and possible moment, too. Writers/directors duo James Nunn and Ronnie Thompson aptly play with these trumps, as the characters definitely don't die in the order you'd expect. Sniper murders can perhaps get a bit monotonous after a while, but there's enough diversity in killing methods and circumstances. Obviously there's quite a large number of holes and irrationality in the plot and the climax (as in: revelation of the sniper's identity) is weak and disappointing. The acting performances vary between adequate and amateurish, with good roles for tough blond gal Sheridan Smith and "Alien³" veteran Ralph Brown. In case you want to seek out more "serial sniper-killer" movies after this, I warmly recommended the almighty "Dirty Harry" but also the more obscure "Two-Minute Warning", "Targets" and "The Deadly Tower"

How does the sniper shoot at people emerging from both sides of the hallway? As in they live at opposite sides of the tower block.... (I didn't how to post in Goofs...)

'Tower Block' is a good thriller. Its got an original premise, a good cast but the whole motive for the sniper is a bit much, I wont spoil it but it just wasn't believable. The film also had a few continuity issues, not extremely major but very obvious. The film will also probably only appeal to a British audience due to it's setting, characters and dialogue.

Overall 'Tower Block' is an average thriller but it's still enjoyable due to it's interesting and original premise and the fairly good acting. So despite the issues and I'd still give it a go as I'd doubt you will be disappointed.

It doesn't make any sense at all (in many ways, especially don't start with continuity and/or logic), but it can still be fairly enjoyable if you let it. You have your generic characters (good and bad guys thrown into the mix), that assemble and have to find a way to work together. Character motivation is simple as is the premise. Motivation for the ultimate bad guy in this might be paper thin, but if that's all you're worried about, you might as well stop watching.

While not really big in the story department, this does have a way of holding the tension pretty high. The cast is surely to "blame" for that at parts, too. Still don't expect too much and this might even exceed your expectations.