The 100 Candles Game

"The 100 Candles Game" is a 2020 horror anthology film directed by Nicolas and Victor Onetti. It features a fascinating ensemble cast that includes Magui Bravi, James Wright, and Clara Kovacic, whose stellar performances create an atmosphere of suspense and intrigue that drives the narrative.

Drawing inspiration from the traditions of folklore and oral storytelling, "The 100 Candles Game" revolves around a unique ritual, the eponymous hundred candles game, a centuries-old tradition that features in many cultures worldwide, used to test the boundaries of fear and truth. As old as time, this scare-inducing game promises not only to test the courage of its players but also to reveal terrifying truths about the world they live in.

The story begins in earnest when the centric figure of a beautiful young girl, played by dexterous Argentinean actress Magui Bravi, visits her friends in a secluded country house. In the hush of the gloomy night, they decide to invoke the thrill and intrigue of the '100 candles game'. The concept of the game is to convene in a circle and light one hundred candles around the group. Then one by one, the players recount chilling horror stories in order to scare each other. After each story is told, a candle is snuffed out, intensifying the atmosphere as darkness gradually encroaches upon them and deepening the shadows each time a tale ends. The game is said to awaken the supernatural, and as it progresses strange, inexplicable events begin to disturb the tranquil solitude of the country house and challenge the participants' sanity and resolve.

Both Clara Kovacic and James Wright contribute supremely with their engaging portrayals. Kovacic's performance establishes her as a captivating narrator, while Wright's deep, resonant voice lends a thrilling nuance to every account, keeping the audiences on the edge of their seat.

An essential aspect of "The 100 Candles Game" is how fragmented its narrative feels, and yet how brilliantly it pieces together to form a unified, terrifying whole. Each chilling story and the eerie events that unfold in the country house are standalone segments that eventually link together into a cohesive narrative. The host of strange incidents are micro-tales within the overarching narrative, but are connected through their shared environment – the dimly lit room where the 100 candles burn, casting ominous shadows on the walls.

Interestingly, the movie unfolds in a non-linear fashion, with the narratives within the game standing as individual episodes that collectively push the momentum of the primary narrative. The unique anthology template gives the film a layered structure, with a horrifying story nestled within another. The stories are a frame narrative, which means they exist within the larger story that serves as the overarching plot.

To emphasize the horror and build suspense, "The 100 Candles Game" makes superb use of cinematography, set design, and sound. The dimly lit shots, the haunting music score, the unsettling quietude of the surroundings, and the eerie shadows cast by the flickering candlelight are expertly used to create a chilling atmosphere that delights fans of the genre.

“The 100 Candles Game” effortlessly manages to fire the viewers’ imagination with its chilling narratives and its rich, suspenseful atmosphere. Its episodic storytelling provides an enjoyable diversity in exploring horror from different angles and perspectives, creating a vast tapestry of fear and supernatural elements that will linger in your mind long after the credits roll.

To sum up, "The 100 Candles Game" is a fresh take on the anthology horror genre. Its creepy contents and evocative narrative, complemented by sterling performances of the cast, make it a thoroughly enjoyable and rather haunting viewing experience. This film is certainly a must-watch for horror enthusiasts seeking something different and new from their usual fare.