P2: UnderRated Thriller?

 

This was the official website for the 2008 horror / slasher movie P2. Was this an under rated thriller? You decide. Read the reviews. Content is from outside review sources. Technical support and SEO provided by TNG/Earthling.

TOMATOMETER CRITICS  35% | AUDIENCE 36%

Critics Consensus: P2 is full of gore, but low on suspense, featuring a cat-and-mouse plot that has been done many times before. Did I mention the gore? I wouldn't be surprised if the crew all went home after the movie was finished being filmed carrying a mop bucket as a memento of the shoot! Seriously.

Anyway......

Angela, a corporate climber, gets stuck working late on Christmas Eve and finds herself the target of an unhinged security guard. With no help in sight, the woman must overcome physical and psychological challenges to survive.

Rating: R (for strong violence/gore, terror and language)
Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense
Directed By: Franck Khalfoun
Written By: Franck Khalfoun, Alexandre Aja, Grégory Levasseur
In Theaters: Nov 9, 2007  Wide
On DVD: Apr 8, 2008
Box Office:  3,950,874.00
Runtime:  98 minutes
Studio: Summit Entertainment

CRITICS REVIEWS

 

 

October 10, 2014
Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed
Franck Khalfoun’s “P2” is such a fun over the top woman in peril horror movie that even the worst aspects of it compliment the experience. West Bentley as the villain chews every bit of scenery to the point where he even seems to be competing with the dog he co-stars with, and eventually the gorgeous Rachel Nichols is put in to a slinky white dress and remains in it for the duration of the movie. But you can’t help but enjoy “P2,” either way since it amounts to a fun albeit formula slasher thriller.

Nichols stars as business woman Angela Bridges, a distant and often isolated young woman who is rushing to visit her family for Christmas. After her car breaks down in the parking lot, Angela realizes she’s been locked in the office building with no way out. Even worse, the lonely and odd security guard Thomas (Bentley) has trapped her inside and is intent on keeping her with him for Christmas festivities. A usual came of cat and mouse ensues between the pair, as Angela struggles to keep the erratic Thomas placated, while also avoiding the wrath of his vicious Rottweiler. Most of “P2” revolves around the underground parking garage and how Angela eventually figures out how to outwit Thomas, who's having nightmares about triggering a leak that floods the parking garage. A little weird, but not completely out of context.

Though Bentley plays Thomas like an incoherent drunk prone to childish tantrums, Thomas is a fairly threatening villain. Director Khalfoun manages to draw an interesting occasionally tense narrative out of the limited scenery, turning the parking garage in to a bonafide death traop for Thomas’ pleasure. Nichols is a bombshell of a woman who plays the courageous heroine well. The transformation Angela overtakes through the course of the film is interesting, and her battle with Thomas and his attack dog make for some really intense and violent moments of carnage. “P2” is definitely an underrated thriller that overcomes its formula trappings and ends as a really entertaining horror thriller utilizing Rachel Nichols to its full advantage.

+++

November 9, 2007 | Rating: 1*/4
Geoff Pevere Toronto Star Top Critic
'P2': Parking violation
Starring Rachel Nichols, Wes Bentley and Simon Reynolds. Written by Alexandre Aja and Franck Khalfoun. Directed by Franck Khalfoun. 98 minutes. At major theatres.
When a workaholic, lovely-to-look-at office-tower employee (Rachel Nichols) decides to work late on Christmas Eve, she finds herself terrorized in the building's underground garage by an Elvis-fixated psycho parking attendant (Wes Bentley).
When a workaholic, lovely-to-look-at office-tower employee (Rachel Nichols) decides to work late on Christmas Eve, she finds herself terrorized in the building's underground garage by an Elvis-fixated psycho parking attendant (Wes Bentley).

The latest entry into the infinitely dubious torture porn (Saw, Hostel) cycle of horror movies, first-timer Franck Khalfoun's movie at least does its predecessors the service of making them look masterful by comparison.

The kind of movie that keeps desperately trying to keep its audience in a state of jangled anxiety with false scares involving people suddenly appearing out of nowhere to say `Sorry I frightened you!', P2 feels like a vehicle lost in an after-hours parking facility, constantly backing up, shifting gears and generally speeding around in circles in a vain attempt to get somewhere.

As the undeservedly harassed working woman, Nichols flails admirably against a character who seems to find herself in this predicament simply because she's a beautiful woman who's made the unforgivable mistake of placing her career before her seasonal commitments.

Although many of us may share the implicit presumption that last-minute shopping is considerably more frightening that finding oneself locked in a parking garage with Bentley doing Elvis impersonations between high-school-talent-contest Anthony Perkins impressions, this movie doesn't seem to agree.

About the only thing that's unequivocally unsettling about this movie, which can't even seem to remember that it's used the guard-dog-on-a-chain scare so often it qualifies as a drinking game, is that someone clearly considered it a good idea at the time.

One thing's for sure: the rush to escape the parking lot after the show will be a genuine horror show. Everyone will want to get as far away as possible, like fast.

+++
AUDIENCE REVIEWS

Justin R *** October 23, 2010
Actually pretty good. The girl is smart with her actions, not dumb like every other character-in-peril from other movies.

Allan C **½ October 9, 2010
With Alexandre Aja (High Tension, The Hills Have Eyes, Piranha) as producer and co-writer, I expected something more exciting, but this was a pretty disappointing. There's a couple good set-pieces but they barely make the film worth watching.

 Super Reviewer
Jesse O *½ October 7, 2010
This film was a real showcase for Rachel Nichols' tits. At the risk of sounding like a pig, her breasts are the stars of this movie. And the breasts did a FINE job in this particular movie. And the people who made this movie aren't even subtle about it. Every time Rachel appears after the shit goes down, features a lot of CLEAVAGE from her part. It's very gratuitous. Oh and the scene where she's all wet. I can tell you how that meeting went between the people responsible for writing the movie and constructing the scenes "Hey guys...we have this hot girl in a very TIT exposing white dress, I think we can go one step further to ensure full exploitation of Rachel's breasts and that is we DRENCH her in water" After this genius idea, they all celebrated and put it in the script. Essentially that's all the movie is...Rachel's heaving breasts for 90 minutes. Don't blame me, that's just what the movie is. They might just as well have her been topless the entire movie. Go all the way, don't half ass it! But anyway, the movie's not much of anything. There's a lot I'm gonna complain about. OK so Rachel's character is going to leave work to go to a family gathering or something. Her car 'breaks' down. She calls her sister and tells her that she won't be able to make it in time because of said car breakage. The sister says OK and hangs up. WUT?!?!??!?!? I'm sorry but if that was my sister and her car BROKE DOWN ON CHRISTMAS (or Christmas eve, whatever) I'd go to pick her up. I cannot in good conscience just hang up and leave my sister stranded. Maybe us Hispanics are more family-oriented but I just would NOT do that. I found this to be bullshit and just a poor way to move your story forward. There's also the issue that Rachel's character KNOWS her car broke down and before calling the taxi, she doesn't even BOTHER to check if the doors has been shut or not? She finds out WHEN the taxi arrived that she's locked in. Another bullshit way to move your story forward. You could make the argument that she forgot, and that's valid, but for FUCK'S SAKE...you're the ONLY ONE THERE. She basically fucked herself over. There's also the lengths the bad guy went to. to basically trap this woman. What if she had left and he couldn't have kidnapped her? What would he have done to her boss (who he tied up to a chair). What would happen then? It's just a very obvious coincidence that the day he decided to carry out his plan was the day her car fucked up (which was probably the villain's doing). But what if she had found another way to escape WITHOUT going to look for the bad guy. What would happen then? Would he tell the guy he tied up..."sorry...you can leave now". Which would then lead to the guy telling his superiors and get the guy fired. It's just fucking retarded that his little plan went PERFECTLY, as if it were scripted, oh wait...Let's see what else??? The acting is below par. Wes Bentley has some decent facial expressions but he's still not a very good actor. Especially when he had to scream and when he (*SPOILER*) was on fire at the end of the movie. Rachel Nichols is pleasing to the eye, at least. Not the prettiest girl ever, but pleasing to the eye nonetheless. That and her breasts...I didn't think this movie was as bad as I was expecting, but I didn't have fun at all nor do I think it's a very good movie. The gore is decent, if albeit a bit over-the-top and laughable at some points. But it's not a complete and absolute failure. The idea for the reason behind the villain's actions is a good idea and it would have been great with someone who can put a great movie together and some strong character development. I found myself laughing at a lot of this movie, and that's not a good sign when you're supposed to take the movie seriously. So, while it's not a complete failure, it still fails at most it tries to do. It's not very suspenseful and the cat and mouse movie has been done FAR better already. It's not like this brings something new to the table, except Rachel's breasts probably. This could have been a much better movie with far better actors cast in the lead, but as it stands it's just a below average thriller. Like I said Rachel's breasts are the stars of this movie, they steal every scene they're in. And I don't really think you were supposed to think that. So this movie FAILS~! 

adamutz adamutz **** October 6, 2010
I really didnt expect much but was surprised at how much I liked it Sure I'd have done things a bit different , but nonetheless its a decent movie

Teryn S *** ½October 5, 2010
Few gory parts. Hated those.

Michael P ** October 4, 2010
Not one of the best movies I have seen. I'm not used to seeing only 3 people in a whole movie.

Liz C ***½ October 4, 2010
Great thriller that will make you cringe if you don't mind a bit of blood. Keeps you in suspense and wonder if and how she will get out alive from this psycho killer.

Matthew R *** October 2, 2010
Its far from perfect but there is a dark mood about it, the creep played by Wes Bently is evil, delusional, oddly crafty and at times funny in a twisted sort of way. The movie kind of loses its peak of tension after a well written "dinner" scene. But its pacing works, the acting isn't bad either. Its a glorified rental but perhaps undeserving of its luke warm reception. I mean how many claustrophobic movies actually are "A" movies? This is a good "B" movie.

Thomas B ***½ September 26, 2010
a claustrophobic thriller,very well made ,if do not like sub-level parking lot will find it creepy

Brenda K ***½ September 24, 2010
No supe si sentir lastima o si me dio gusto XD

Pedro C. Pedro C. **** September 19, 2010
Set in a parking garage P2 took a rather deadly turn for a Christmas horror film. Wes Bentley played a very psychopathic killer/security guard. This was one of my first horror movies, and during the middle I regretted seeing it because I had grizzly pictures in my head and was very scared. I left the movie shaking. The gore and body parts were terrifying. This is definitely not a movie for younger viewers.

 

 

More Background on P2TheMovie.com

P2TheMovie.com serves as the official website for the 2007 horror-thriller film "P2." This film, directed by Franck Khalfoun and co-written by Alexandre Aja and Grégory Levasseur, is positioned within the subgenre of claustrophobic, suspense-driven horror. The website has played a notable role in the film’s digital presence, offering information, promotional materials, and engaging with fans of the movie.

Ownership and Management

P2TheMovie.com was established as the official digital hub for the film "P2," which was produced by Summit Entertainment. The film’s production and distribution were handled by Summit, a company known for its involvement in various major motion pictures. The website’s technical support and search engine optimization were reportedly managed by TNG/Earthling, a firm that specializes in web development and online marketing for entertainment properties.

Location and Proximity

As an official movie website, P2TheMovie.com does not correspond to a physical location. Instead, it functions as a digital platform accessible globally, targeting audiences interested in horror and thriller films. The site’s reach is international, especially given the film’s release in multiple countries and its availability on DVD and streaming platforms.

Popularity and Audience

The website primarily attracts fans of the horror genre, particularly those interested in psychological thrillers and films set in confined, urban environments. The movie "P2" itself has developed a modest cult following, especially among viewers who appreciate suspenseful, single-location narratives. The site serves as a resource for these fans, offering background information on the film, cast and crew details, and links to external reviews and discussions.

Menus and Content

P2TheMovie.com typically features a range of content designed to inform and engage visitors:

  • Film Synopsis: A detailed summary of the movie’s plot, highlighting its central conflict and main characters.

  • Cast and Crew Bios: Information about the actors, director, and writers involved in the production.

  • Media Gallery: Stills from the film, posters, and possibly behind-the-scenes photos.

  • Trailers and Clips: Official video content, including trailers, teasers, and selected scenes.

  • Press and Reviews: Excerpts and links to reviews from critics and audience members.

  • News and Updates: Announcements related to the film’s release, DVD availability, and special events.

History and Development

The website was launched in conjunction with the film’s theatrical release in late 2007. At the time, official movie websites were a primary means of digital marketing, providing fans with exclusive content and serving as a central hub for promotional campaigns. Over the years, as social media and streaming platforms have become more prominent, the role of standalone movie websites has shifted, but P2TheMovie.com remains a reference point for fans and researchers interested in the film.

Goals and Mission

The primary goal of P2TheMovie.com is to promote the film "P2" and provide a comprehensive resource for fans and potential viewers. The site aims to:

  • Generate interest in the film through engaging content.

  • Offer detailed information about the movie’s production, cast, and crew.

  • Serve as a platform for reviews and critical discussion.

  • Facilitate access to official trailers and promotional materials.

Awards and Recognition

While "P2" did not receive major industry awards, the film has been noted for its tense atmosphere and effective use of a single location. The website itself has not been recognized with web or design awards, but it has served its purpose as an official promotional platform for the film.

Reviews and Reception

The film "P2" received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. Critics often highlighted the movie’s suspenseful setup and performances, particularly those of Rachel Nichols and Wes Bentley. However, some reviews noted that the film’s premise and execution were derivative of other entries in the horror-thriller genre. Despite this, the movie has found appreciation among fans of tense, minimalist horror.

Audience reviews tend to focus on the film’s claustrophobic setting and the psychological cat-and-mouse dynamic between the protagonist and antagonist. The website aggregates and features a range of these reviews, offering visitors a sense of the film’s reception and impact.

Press and Media Coverage

Upon its release, "P2" and its official website were covered by a variety of entertainment news outlets and film blogs. Coverage typically centered on the film’s unique setting—a parking garage during Christmas Eve—and its blend of suspense and horror. The website was referenced in press materials and interviews with the cast and crew, serving as a central point for official information and promotional assets.

Cultural and Social Significance

"P2" occupies a niche within the horror genre, notable for its urban setting and focus on psychological terror rather than supernatural elements. The website reflects this positioning, emphasizing the film’s themes of isolation, vulnerability, and survival. While not a mainstream blockbuster, the film and its online presence have contributed to discussions about gender, safety, and the depiction of female protagonists in horror cinema.

The site also serves as an example of mid-2000s movie marketing, illustrating how studios leveraged dedicated websites to build anticipation and engage with fans prior to the dominance of social media.

Known For and Notable Features

P2TheMovie.com is known for its comprehensive coverage of the film "P2," including:

  • Detailed plot summaries and character profiles.

  • High-quality media assets, such as posters and stills.

  • Official trailers and video content.

  • Aggregated reviews and press excerpts.

  • Interactive features, such as quizzes or behind-the-scenes insights (where available).

These features make the site a valuable resource for fans, journalists, and scholars interested in the film or the evolution of online movie marketing.

Audience and Community

The website’s primary audience consists of horror enthusiasts, film students, and fans of the cast and crew. The site encourages interaction through comment sections, fan reviews, and links to external forums and social media pages. This community aspect helps sustain interest in the film long after its initial release.

Examples and Insights

One notable aspect of the website is its focus on the film’s setting—a parking garage—which is central to the movie’s suspense and atmosphere. The site often highlights this unique location, offering insights into the challenges of filming in confined spaces and the creative decisions that shaped the movie’s visual style.

Another example is the emphasis on the psychological dynamics between the main characters, which is reflected in the site’s content and featured interviews. By exploring these themes, the website provides a deeper understanding of the film’s narrative and artistic choices.

Press & Media Coverage

The website has been mentioned in various entertainment news articles and interviews with the filmmakers. These references typically underscore the site’s role in promoting the film and providing official information to the press and public. The site’s media gallery and press kit have been used by journalists covering the film’s release and subsequent home video availability.

 

P2TheMovie.com stands as a representative example of official movie websites from the late 2000s, offering a centralized platform for information, media, and fan engagement. While the film "P2" may not have achieved mainstream success, its website continues to serve as a valuable resource for those interested in the movie and the broader context of horror cinema. Through its detailed content, interactive features, and commitment to promoting the film, P2TheMovie.com has secured a place in the digital landscape of genre film marketing.

 

P2TheMovie.com