Triggered has one of those plots that immediately draw the audience in. A group of friends is camping in the woods. They wake up one morning to find bombs have been strapped to them. As they struggle to escape, they soon realize only one of them can survive.
The movie is obviously not big on originality. Director Alastair Orr gets around this by making his movie as absurd as possible. There are constant references to other movies. As the title suggests, Triggered also revels in the over the top excesses of today’s world.
This cultural awareness is what will make or break the movie for many. Some will find the dialogue witty and up to date. There are definitely some laugh out loud moments in Triggered. The script does a great job of having the kids sound clever without downplaying the severity of their situation. The downside is the same for anything that is too self aware – it can be a little grating at times.
Triggered moves at a breakneck speed. The premise is set up within fifteen minutes before the story kicks into high gear. There is plenty of blood and guts to satisfy any gore hound. There is also a neat little twist involving the timers that explains why the group are so willing to kill each other.
This is also important since the plot decides to work in so many tropes. The fast pace allows audiences to appreciate what Triggered is trying to accomplish. It is in its intentionally formulaic story that the film delivers the kind of late night thrills that are expected and intended.
Triggered is a great example of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. The movie takes a tried and true premise and makes sure it remains fun. The plot follows a pattern without ever feeling tedious. Some creative kills and snappy dialogue make this a fun midnight watch.
Not quite under a graffiti bridge.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
