- R
- 1h 31m
- Directed by
-
- Aaron Kaufman
- Story
- Guy Busick
- Premiered
- February 14, 2016
- Language
-
- English
- Status
- Released
- Country
-
- United States of America
Urge
- Production
-
- WeatherVarie Productions
- Sculptor Media
- Blackmrkt
- Green-Light International
Spoiler
In the 2016 thriller Urge, directed by Aaron Kaufman, a wealthy New York City entrepreneur named Neil invites his four closest friends and his personal assistant, Theresa, to spend a weekend on his luxurious estate on Eastman Island. The group is soon joined by Neil's estranged brother, Jason, a drifter whose presence adds an unexpected dynamic to the gathering. As night falls, the group heads to the island's exclusive nightclub, where they encounter the enigmatic club owner known only as The Man, portrayed by Pierce Brosnan.
At the club, The Man introduces a new designer drug called Urge, which he claims should only be used once. Despite his warnings, Jason, who is initially resistant to the drug, watches as his friends succumb to temptation and indulge in Urge. The drug is designed to amplify one's deepest desires, leading to a loss of self-control. While Jason appears unaffected, the others quickly spiral into chaos, ignoring the potential consequences of their reckless behavior.
The following morning, Jason awakens to find that Neil has invited a multitude of club patrons back to his island home. As the atmosphere shifts, the group becomes increasingly intoxicated by Urge, and the situation deteriorates into a frenzy of violence, lust, and madness. The film takes a dark turn as the drug's effects unleash the characters' most primal instincts, resulting in a nightmarish landscape of debauchery and brutality.
Kaufman, who previously worked as a producer on notable films like Machete Kills and Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, presents a narrative that critiques the self-absorbed nature of its characters. From the outset, viewers may find themselves disliking the privileged protagonists, who engage in shallow conversations about wealth and status. Lines like “Are you still on that fixed income desk at Merrill?” and “This is not going to be another weekend where I play punching bag to a whole bunch of over-privileged One-Percenters” set the tone for a film that revels in its characters' excesses.
As the plot unfolds, the film's second half draws parallels to classic tales of mass insanity, reminiscent of works like The Crazies and its various derivatives. The island descends into chaos as nearly every character succumbs to the allure of Urge, leading to a series of increasingly absurd and violent encounters. While some scenes manage to elicit a sense of shock—such as a moment when a security guard is shot in front of Jason—others fall flat, veering into the realm of the ridiculous. For instance, a scene featuring Ashley Greene's character attempting to humiliate Danny Masterson's character through tame S&M antics feels more laughable than provocative.
The film's climax culminates in an absurd twist that feels contrived and heavily foreshadowed. As the narrative reaches its conclusion, Justin Chatwin's character discovers that The Man is, in fact, a representation of God, orchestrating the chaos as part of a divine plan. This revelation raises questions about the film's thematic coherence, as the idea of a designer drug inciting worldwide madness seems to contradict any moral or philosophical underpinnings. The final shot of a ship laden with Urge heading towards the city leaves viewers pondering the implications of such a chaotic distribution.
Overall, Urge presents a critique of privilege and excess, wrapped in a narrative that struggles to balance its provocative themes with coherent storytelling. While the film features moments of intrigue and tension, it ultimately falls short of delivering a satisfying exploration of its concepts. Pierce Brosnan's portrayal of The Man adds a layer of sleazy charisma, but the film's reliance on clichés and absurdity detracts from its potential impact.
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