Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘13 Sins’

Written by Scott Edwards 

How far would you go to make an extra dollar? Most of us have jobs that pay our bills but looking to make those extra funds with very little work is something that we all could use. If an opportunity came around that was too good to pass up with the promise of a large payoff, would you ask questions to why it is only presented to you, or would you just play along, keeping your head in the sand and collect what is yours?

Elliot Brindle is working his hardest at an insurance agency when he gets called into his boss’ office. Thinking that he is about to be promoted, Elliot finds out that that he is going to be fired for his lack of upselling his clients. Trying to talk his way out of his unexpected situation, Elliot begs and pleads to keep his job as he is taking care of his handicapped brother, his father and pregnant fiancé and needs the income. Understanding that he is in trouble, Elliot does not know where to look next as he is more focused on being a good person, rather than taking advantage of people's short comings.  

Trying to find a new job, Elliot receives a phone call offering him more money than he could possibly imagine for minimal work. Although he does not truly understand what is happening or who is doing this for him, he decides to play along. With a $1,000 payment for just killing a fly being deposited into his bank account, he feels like he is on the up and up. However, having to eat the fly will make him a total of $6,000 dollars that is desperately needed, but feeling that this is a trick, he holds off until he sees the money start pouring in.

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Elliot is given a choice if wants to play the game that will make him a rich man. Thinking about his current and new family, he has to accept the terms since he has too many people depending on him. As a new day begins, Elliot receives calls from the mystery person to do several things, but as the day goes on, the challenges get more and more obscure. From having to make a young girl cry to taking a dead man out for a cup of coffee, Elliot knows that he is doing this for someone’s amusement. But the money keeps pouring into his bank account and although he does not agree with what is happening, he must finish the game, or get nothing for the acts he has already committed.  

13 Sins follows two days in the life of Elliot Brindle when everything begins to change. Being picked on for his entire life, people believe that Elliot does not have a backbone, that is until he receives a phone call that will change his attitude forever. Having to perform challenges for a mystery man on the phone for great payoffs, Elliot believes this his chance to take his life by the horns and take care of his family, but what he does not know is that the mystery caller has his own plan in mind for Elliot. Doing everything that that the caller tells him to do, Elliot’s attitude starts to change as he gets hardened by the situations put in front of him. But a breaking point is not too far off when he is told that there is another contestant for the game that could win all of the money Elliot is working to attain. Not wanting to lose, Elliot has to up his play until he is able to find out who the other player is, and stop him from completing their next task to secure his own payday.

A clever and eye opening movie that does not make you feel cheated in any way. Elliot has a great character transformation due to the challenges that are put in front of him. Watching as he slowly grows into something that he does not yet understand, he still makes sure to put his family first in all of his decisions. Playing the game without letting anyone know what he is doing is a clever plot point and makes the movie just that much more enjoyable as he has to disguise his actions by acting crazy. This is a movie that makes you think, just a little bit about how you have lived your life, and if you would be willing to do what it takes to make your fortune. Stay Scared!

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