Horror movies are known for taking elements of everyday life and adding new layers of intrigue, flipping our perceptions entirely. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best (yet criminally underrated) horror flicks and thrillers that play with the aspect of luck in casinos.
Roulette (2011)
Over the years, the popular game of roulette has seen a wide range of iterations. In particular, over the past couple of decades, the game has had a digital makeover, with online platforms offering a variety of live roulette games for players to choose from. Some of these games have spooky thematics that tap into the creepy aspects of the unknown, such as Quantum Roulette and Lightning Roulette, complete with tense music and dark color schemes to create an immersive and authentic roulette experience. However, no version of roulette will reach the level of darkness than in Roulette (2011).
This independent thriller comes from the mind of Erik Kristopher Myers, who serves as writer, director, and producer. The script was written over a period of just three weeks, taking stylistic inspiration from horror movie classics like Psycho (1960) and The Exorcist (1973). The film follows three characters, previously unknown to one another, who create their own dangerous version of roulette, as they explore the disturbing parallels drawing them together. This is not for the faint hearted, and has generated both acclaim and controversy amongst critics and audiences alike.
13 Tzameti (2005)
13 Tzameti (2005) is perhaps the most critically acclaimed of all casino-inspired movies, having grasped the World Cinema Jury Prize in 2006 at the Sundance Film Festival, and two different awards at the Venice Film Festival. The French thriller is the brainchild and directorial debut of Georgian filmmaker, Géla Babluani – who, like Myers, wrote, directed, and produced the project.
The black-and-white original centers around a Georgian immigrant who inadvertently finds himself at the heart of a savage gambling experiment where spectators place bets on the outcome of the chosen thirteen. An American adaptation of the movie, 13 (2010) was released in color with slight tweaks to the storyline. However, for maximum impact and thrill, it is worth watching the original French-language feature.
Spirits of the Dead (1968)
Despite its year of release, Spirits of the Dead (1968) is a classic for horror lovers. Based on tales by the notorious Edgar Allan Poe, the film is an anthology, with three distinct sections with three different directors – Metzengerstein (dir. Roger Vadim), William Wilson (dir. Louis Malle), and Toby Dammit (dir. Federico Fellini).
However, it is the second narrative of the film that takes us into a casino, with a card game against courtesan Giuseppina that raises the stakes to the max, as William has to battle between his supernatural, corporeal conflicting emotions. Based on the Poe short story of the same name, this tale stars renowned actors of the 60s such as Alain Delon and Bridgitte Bardot.
As you can see, there are many indie, international, and cult classic horror movies and thrillers that toy with themes of gambling. In these films, the line between winning and losing is even thinner, with luck being the only thing between success or, in some cases, downright gore. So, if you’re feeling up for a horror movie gamble, raise the stakes with a casino-themed fright.
