13 Sins

• Henry Northmore
• 23 June 2014

Mark Webber and Ron Perlman star in this gory direct-to-DVD thriller

In this gory remake of Thai thriller 13: Game of Death, Elliot (Mark Webber) finds himself trapped in a sinister game show. Having just lost his job and with a pregnant wife (Rutina Wesley, aka Tara in True Blood) at home, Elliot's life is falling to pieces. Then a mysterious phone call offers him $6 million if he can complete 13 tasks. It starts with swatting a fly; then eating that fly; next he must make a child cry; they only get nastier and more macabre from there on in.

Following in the rich tradition of direct-to-DVD releases, a more famous actor in a smaller role is plastered across the cover art, in this case Ron Perlman who plays a grizzled cop on Elliot's trail. The plot stretches credibility in places as the challenges escalate into breaking the law and committing violence, but the clever set up is constantly intriguing. At heart a very dark comedy about man's greed and how money corrupts, 13 Sins isn't perfect but will certainly keep you hooked until the bloody denouement.

Released on DVD via Entertainment One, out now.