Sorted

The 2000 film Sorted is a dark, high-octane thriller set in London's intoxicating yet dangerous underground club scene. The movie navigates the shadowy realm of late-night parties awash with hardcore drugs, pushing the boundaries of legality and morality, while also offering a dramatic insight into the hedonistic world of rave culture.

The story unfolds as naïve but curious young barrister, Carl Dawson (Matthew Rhys), receives the shocking news about his brother's untimely death in London. Leaving his cozy comfort zone in the country, Carl ventures into the city's grim underbelly to unravel the vein-chilling circumstances behind his brother's sudden demise. Through his quest for truth, he finds himself pulled like a magnet to the dense haze of London's throbbing after-dark life, which shifts between the immensely seductive and glaringly repulsive.

Matthew Rhys, known for his nuanced performances, impressively embodies Carl's slow descent from a law-loving barrister to a man caught in the web of unspeakable crimes. His transformation is alluring and disturbing in equal measure. Sienna Guillory shines in her role as Sunny, a confident, street-smart club DJ who becomes Carl's unanticipated ally in his tumultuous journey. Guillory’s Sunny gives the narrative a touch of edginess and becomes our guide through London's electric nightlife and labyrinthine system of cliques and clubs. There is an undeniable chemistry between the two leads which adds another layer to the film's entrancing atmosphere.

Ben Moor portrays Damo, a sinister and manipulative figure who is the gatekeeper to the city's darker secrets. His compelling performance adds a menacing undertone to the plot, as he encapsulates the twisted mindset of someone drawn to power by any means necessary. Moor's complex caricature of Damo adds depth to the plot, making the film not merely a thriller but a commentary on lost souls blinded by ambition and addiction.

Director Alexander Jovy uses the backdrop of London's club scene to weave a storyline that catapults viewers into unexplored territories. It raises disturbing questions of morality, fraternal loyalty, and the lengths one might go to escape reality, effectively blurring the lines between right and wrong. Intense sequences shot in a palette of neon lights splash the stark contrast between Carl's once placid life and the wild roller-coaster he is inadvertently riding on.

Sorted makes sure to pump up the volume with an electrifying soundtrack fitting to the pulsating nightclub scenes. This selection of techno and electronic music not only sets the tone for the film's events but also transports the viewers into the heart of the raucous raves, where every beat fuels the nocturnal creatures occupying this surreal world.

Despite its intense focus on the darker side of the city and the sinister underpinnings of club culture, Sorted also highlights the unique bonds formed in this unlikely environment. Whether it's Carl's unlikely friendship with Sunny or his cat-and-mouse game with Damo, these relationships underscore the human element in the midst of the swirling chaos.

On the surface, Sorted is an engaging thriller that draws viewers into a whirlwind of enigma and suspense. But underneath, it’s a many-layered exploration of a subculture often overlooked by mainstream cinema. It strikes a balance between shaking up the audience with its relentless pace and challenging them to ponder over the daunting realities of addiction, power play, and manipulation plaguing this alternate society.

In all, Sorted belongs to the genre of edgy British thrillers offering an authentic portrayal of a specific urban milieu. Its in-depth character study, coupled with the accurate etching of London's club scene, makes it an intriguing watch for those interested in darker, grittier narratives. The film leaves an indelible impression with its visceral portrayal of a world where life is dictated not by the sun rising and setting but by the relentless thumping of bass, the hypnotic strobe lights and the lure of the next high.