‘Stanleyville’ Review: A Dark Comedy with 5 Strangers, A Mysterious Contest, and an Orange SUV

Stanleyville is now playing in select theaters. Reader beware possible spoilers ahead!

A serene moment of an eagle soaring is quickly interrupted when it smashes headfirst into an office building window, and it only gets weirder from there. So introduces the unique world of Stanleyville, the first feature-length movie from director Maxwell McCabe-Lokos. The film, which premiered at the 2021 Fantasia Festival, was written by McCabe-Lokos and Rob Benvie, and just opened in theaters Friday, April 22^nd from Oscilloscope Laboratories. Starring Susanne Wuest (We Might As Well Be Dead), Cara Ricketts (“Revenge of the Black Best Friend”), Adam Brown (“The End of the F***ing World”), Christian Serritiello (Flesh City), George Tchortov (“Pretty Hard Cases”), and Julian Richings (Anything for Jackson).

Maria Barbizan (Wuest) is over it; her job, her family, her possessions, everything. And just as she’s come to the realization of needed a new direction, a man appears to offer her a fascinating opportunity. That man is Homunculus (Richings), and he says she’s been selected out of millions to participate in a competition (platinum level) with four others, to achieve authentic personal transcendence and a brand-new habanero-orange compact SUV.

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The contest takes place in what looks like a loft space with a small stage, bar, couches, and an old-timey horse track betting board with all the contestants’ names on it. Bofill Pancreas (Tchortov) is high energy and addicted to protein supplements. Andrew Frisbee Jr. (Serritiello) is a hedge fund manager with serious daddy issues. Manny Jumpcannon (Brown) is an out-of-work actor looking for an opportunity, and Felicie Arkady (Ricketts) is standoffish, sarcastic, and determined to win that car no matter what.

The contest consists of 8 rounds, with each game having a determined time frame to complete the task. There is an exit, and contestants are free to leave whenever, however, once out, they cannot return to the game. The rounds range from extremely silly, like who can blow up the most balloons until they pop, to the absurd like, get me an earlobe. From the get-go, the anxiety and adrenaline of competition grabs hold of you. I immediately thought that I would have been good in specific games as they played. You’re in this, and you want the Habanero-Orange compact SUV.

As the rounds go up and the leader board begins to fill out, so does the ruthlessness of the competitors. Hours turn to days within these four walls. The need to win at any cost, becomes apparent as the weaker-minded of the group begin to lose their marbles and the more cunning exploit it. Stanleyville does an interesting thing by telegraphing what will occur both subtly and outright, but you’re still surprised when it happens. It makes you feel like not only a contestant but a co-conspirator at times.

Susanne Wuest is understated and quiet, yet she somehow captivates and commands the room. Her portrayal of Maria is almost childlike in her wide-eyed belief in a more significant purpose, building herself a fort and staying in the background as the “grown-ups” yell at each other. Adam Brown is someone I had only seen in the Hobbit franchise, and he is hilarious as Manny. Manny is clearly out of his depth, but the need to give off that air of success is a juxtaposition and Brown nails it. You feel sorry for him one moment, and then he opens his mouth, and you’re right back to wanting him to fail again.

Julian Richings is a mad man. Coming and going throughout the film, his energy is infectious each time he enters the room. There is so much mystery surrounding him, but it doesn’t matter; you’re too hypnotized to care. You know he had a blast with this role, even when in peril, he has that devilish smile from ear to ear.

Stanleyville is a “No-Exit” play put on film. “Hell is other people” couldn’t be more apparent than spending days in a small space with this crowd of peacocks. Who are trying to show just how much they don’t need to be in the contest but still giving it their all and not leaving. I could easily see this done on stage, and I guarantee it would be as effective. The simplicity of putting strangers in a room and letting their instincts and competitive nature unfold feels almost voyeuristic but highly entertaining and disturbing, at times. I got a lot of Wes Anderson vibes with several of the compositions and shots, which also gave it that theater aesthetic.

Stanleyville is a great character study with quick, quirky dialogue and dark comedic tones. It’s a sports film for outcasts, as you get wrapped up in its competition with your favorite to win, changing every round. With solid performances and a simple premise that lets the actors chew the scenery, director McCabe-Lokos takes what could have been a one-note idea and creates a whole ecosystem in one room. At times, you may want to head for that exit door, but curiosity keeps you there. That and the promise of a Habanero-Orange compact SUV. 3.5/5

Check out the trailer and poster for Stanleyville below and the film is out now in select cities. Be sure to follow ScaryNerd for more of all things horror, sci-fi, fantasy and everything in between.

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