Damon (Joel Brady), Roy (Michael Copon), Jacob (Josh Gilmer) and Stuart (Rafael Siegel)´have been lifelong friends, and they have this tradition to make random new year's resolutions for one another and then be determined to live them out. So this year, Damon and his wife Claire (Shala White) have invited the other four and their respeciive partners, Jacob's wife Misty (Victorya Brandart), Stuart's boyfriend Travis (Lamondo Hill II) and Roy's new girlfriend Kira (Siddalee Diaz), to their luxurious home for New Year's Eve, to continue the tradition. Only this time among the resolutions there's one that says "kill someone", and it's Jacob who draws the resolution. Which makes this even more explosive is that Jacob is actually a cop. Of course, he refuses to go through with it, but then again he has also brought a loaded gun, and in the heat of the argument he accidently shoots Travis in the leg. Fortunately, Roy happens to be a doctor, so he can give first aid, and he also assures everyone the situation is under control, and no need to call emergency. Problem is, his diagnosis was wrong as he wasn't quite sober and has had his fair share of cocaine, and thus Travis dies. But what to do now? If the friends report this, this would as a best case scenario cost both Jacob and Roy their livelyhoods, but probably would suck them all into a murder case. But how to hush up an accidental death when the survivors can't agree on a cop-out strategy? So before long, there are more dead bodies among the quarelling best friends ...

Now I don't know if it shows in above synopsis, but this is actually a comedy - if a very dark one with a high body count. And it works rather perfectly too, as it isn't played for laughs but instead leans into character development and character arcs, and the very competent cast sure plays it straight. And that of course only helps the situational comedy of the piece - after all, this is a film about best friends killing one anothre after an accidental death (that sure could have been avoided). Now sure, this film will not sit equally well with everybody, but if your humour's only a little bit on the black side, you'll find plenty to like here.

review © by Mike Haberfelner

 

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