Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘The Bunker Game’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Bunker Game’.
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One thing that we can all agree upon, is that the world definitely overwhelms us from time to time. To the point where we need to find some kind of escape or hobby to keep our minds off of the stresses of the world and the terrible news playing out on our televisions and on social media. Which for some, involves getting out and enjoying the wonder of nature since that has healing powers and allows for one’s head to get clear. For others, diving into a good book or movie or show for a little while can be helpful since it allows for the mind and soul to just detach and escape from reality and speaking of the need for escape… well some take that to a whole new level when they need to be free of the world’s chaos.
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Because for those folks, just a taste of escape isn’t enough, they need to truly feel as though they’re in another world or another time and diving into Live Action Roleplaying, also known as LARPing, is a great way to accomplish that. Since it allows for a person to become someone else and live in a different world with other people for a little while. An act that while helpful to those involved is often viewed as foolish by so many others or dangerous as well. Since that kind of immersion can seem immature in nature or risky since a person can in fact… lose themselves within the fantasy if they want away from the world that badly and well, the risks inherent that can potentially come out of such an act are top of mind today, because Shudder is now host to a horror film that explores such matters in a very unique manner in The Bunker Game.

Now in this particular film, we are transported to Italy to spend time with a group of Live Action Role-players, as they live out quite the story. One where Nazi Germany won the war and their victory led to nuclear war, forcing the remnant of the Reich into the dismal halls of a massive bunker, wherein they wait for the wasteland outside to clear so they can build the Fourth Reich and when we catch up to the group here, they’re preparing for this wild fantasy to end. But before it does, a series of accidents take place, the kind that end the game early and leave the staff in quite the difficult place. For they cannot find their leader and strange occurrences are happening all around them… leaving them to wonder if by chance the man in charge is taking this little game too far… or if they have accidentally awakened something sinister in this ancient Nazi tomb.  

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Which is a plot that is… utterly original and laden with some fascinating commentary on the power of fantasy. Since the actions of this group make it clear that sometimes, fantasy can be taken too far in the name of fun and escape, as evidenced by the fact that everyone here willingly was okay with stepping into the world of fascism and through a lot of the actions of the role-players here. Since so many of them, including Greg, the leader of this group, take the opportunity in indulge in more unsavory tendencies in the name of fantasy. Making it clear that there is a real risk inherent when taking fantasy this far, since one can lose themselves in ways, they never thought possible, or it can bring the worst possible people out in the open. As evidenced by the actual Nazi in their midst that clearly jumps at the chance to set foot in an era he disgustingly admires. 
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But while that does make for some fascinating and poignant moments for certain… none of that screams horror really. Since that is an inherent character study at best and grand examination of LARPing at worst, but the scary stuff is in there… courtesy of what lurks in the dark in this tale. For there is a spirit in this place, one that wants vengeance and freedom and that leads to some genuinely terrifying moments. The kind that preys upon our worst fears, since this spirit uses the dark and the unknown for cover to commit its violent acts and that definitely unsettles the viewer for certain since no one likes the dark or what lurks within it, and we’d be foolish to not point out that some of the kills in this story, are inventive and ugly in all the right ways.

If anything, all of these elements make for one unique horror story. One that really does offer up a refreshingly original plot since this writer is hard pressed to think of any other horror film out there that uses LARPing as a plot device. But it works here, and it really does offer up some thoughtful observations on the importance of keeping fantasy and reality as separate as can be and of course, you simply cannot go wrong with a good old fashioned ghost story coming into play here as well… since that does provide the viewer with some ugly visuals that are akin to a living nightmare. Which means that in the end, this movie is definitely a worthwhile watch. Because of its creativity and its ingenuity, so if you’re looking for a refreshing horror film, one that takes you on quite the unique ride… swing by Shudder when you have a chance and give The Bunker Game a look.

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