The Box (2009)
Press a button win 1 million dollars, but someone dies.
Presentation:
Nostalgic bloom in the early 2000s style gives us modern content packaged in that transitional film era of modern cinema. The film looks pretty good with great sets within the period piece. Every film starts with an idea. And why not choose an idea which is one of the most well known philosophical moral dilemmas? Press a button for 1 million dollars but someone you don't know will die. Tonally feels like the emotional sequel to Donnie Darko.
Story:
This film had a lot of potential but ended up not being well fleshed out It seems the writers opted for a more obscure storytelling with a commentary on societal ethics. However the fact that alien religious moral overlords are experimenting on humans to see if mankind should be saved is kinda similar to The Day The Earth Stood Still.
Conclusion:
This film is flawed, but as someone interested in such moral dilemmas, I enjoyed this one. The mystery elements are very engaging and suspenseful, the ending should hit differently for everyone. If anything, it's a good time with some thinking and a viewing that probably won't be regretted.
Recommendations
How did black and white ever fall out of fashion?