The “torture-porn” sub-genre has certainly made an impact in cinema over the past few years in both Hollywood and independent films. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been that interesting since its sporadic launch and has given us one too many films to suffer through. Like its victims, the sub-genre is dying a very slow but agonizing death, with every up and coming filmmaker trying to land his or her mark on the genre. By now, there really isn’t much we haven’t seen which makes it even more difficult for these torture films to sate devoted horror fans and keep them interested. “Gag” makes a decent effort, but it’s nearly too little too late.

The film follows two best friends who also happen to be professional thieves going to rob an average suburban house which contains a very well stocked safe. Everything seems to be going to plan until they discover a man ball-gagged and chained to a bed in what appears to be a torture room. It turns out that the house is owned by a demented killer who enjoys killing and torture just a little too much. Will our thieves steal the money before the killer steals their lives? It’s an independent film, so probably not.

The upside to this film is that the lead actor Vince Marinelli (who also served as executive producer) was quite believable with his Billy Zane/Chris Martin hybrid style going on. Aside from him I didn’t really care much about the other characters and I think that’s the film’s biggest fault. If you are going to make a film where characters are endlessly tortured and endure horrible circumstances, you have to at least give a shit about them. If not them, then you have to at least be able to identify with the killer. Torture films are an endurance test for both the movie’s characters and the movie’s audience. If we care enough about the characters, we’ll endure all of the pain they are forced to accept in order to find out if they make it out alive. If the killer is convincing or sympathetic, we’ll stay to find out if he lets someone go and/or gets away in the end. Though I’m not a huge fan of the “Saw” films, Jigsaw has become popular among horror fans because he is somewhat relatable. Though he puts people through misery, his intentions are good. Hell, if he weren’t so popular we wouldn’t be on a “Saw IV” would we? But neither the killer nor the characters (with the exception of Marinelli’s “Tony”) are worth rooting for and all emotions are put on the backburner, leaving the film to be just a film and nothing more.

The set design isn’t half bad, though I find it strange that the killer’s house goes from an average suburban home to a “Jacob’s Ladder” nightmare in the passing of one wall socket. You think someone might have noticed that by now. There’s some decent gore on display and a few creepy moments, but nothing to write home about. We’re desensitized enough as it is, so if a rat crawling into someone’s mouth via tube is revolting to you, then perhaps you might feel a bit disgusted while watching this film. The only part that was cringe-inducing was a surprisingly brutal spike-ended pole rape. I definitely used the “guy clinch” for that one.

Being the type of person that I am (I typically refuse to completely bash a film), I knew that the movie had its good points and I always appreciate new filmmakers trying to get material out there. So I looked into the movie a bit more and came across the online blog for "Gag," in which director Scott W. Mckinlay details the best and worst parts of shooting with some interesting stories, all the while teaching wannabe filmmakers valuable lessons about making their own indie films.

Though I wouldn’t say “Gag” is a crowning achievement in torture porn, I will gladly admit that I paid full attention throughout the film and wondered how it would end. I suppose that when you’re a devoted horror fan and/or filmmaker, you don’t always have to invest yourself in the good guys or the bad guys. Sometimes just rooting for the filmmakers is enough to get you through it.

The Hidden Message: Anyone who has “Fuck Some 1 Kill Some 1” spray painted on their couch is probably the last person you’d want to rob. Next time, research!