Groupers

It has an intriguingly radical and gung-ho core concept, but shallow implementation.

The film shifts from something approximating ordeal horror, to a dialogue-driven skit on human stupidity. In short, it's immensely ambitious, and most of that ambition pays off.

With a limited number of characters in a single location, it sometimes feels like a stage play, with pointed dialog spoken by people with big personalities. Then about halfway in, the plot begins turning, abandoning nuance to become a trashy thriller.

This has nothing to do with Pudles's portrayal of the character. The actor brings the appropriate amount of dimness and energy to a crappy role. But the character does not work.