The Vortex

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Ladon w I really connected with Pete’s character — you can feel his pain and pressure building the whole time. The way the story slowly unravels kept me hooked, and the use of smoke and fire was such a strong visual metaphor. It felt raw, real, and emotional. The close-up shots made me feel like I was right there in the room. Beautifully done. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/13/25 Full Review Joseph W Richard Zelniker takes a bold swing with this minimalist portrait of a deeply wounded gambling addict — and it pays off. Tackling such emotionally fraught subject matter is no small feat, but what makes this film especially daring is the way it’s executed. Zelniker leans into long takes not as a stylistic flourish, but as a way to immerse us in the character’s unraveling world, capturing the relentless tension of the casino and the claustrophobia of addiction. The result is a film that’s both gripping and haunting. I found myself on edge throughout, fully engaged, and constantly curious where it would go next. A gutsy and impressive piece of work. Bravo! Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/08/25 Full Review Jordan W Just watched The Vortex and I honestly can’t stop thinking about it—it completely blew me away. Billy Gardell delivers a performance that’s raw, emotional, and totally unexpected. I’ve always liked him, but this showed a whole new side of his talent that I didn’t know existed. Richard Zelniker’s direction is absolutely on point—he builds the tension beautifully while still keeping the story grounded and real. The pacing was tight, the cinematography was stunning, and the emotional depth of the characters really stuck with me. It’s one of those rare films that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. I’ve already recommended it to a bunch of my friends—it’s that good. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/08/25 Full Review Colin M A true masterpiece. With limited space and movement, Zelniker does an incredible job capturing his audience. Despite limited interactions, we are able to understand the grip that this city has on their lives. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/18/25 Full Review E Z Richard Zelniker's film, The Vortex draws its audience into a cleverly crafted whirlwind of intrigue, suspense, and the edge-of-your-seat question, "Will Pete hit the jackpot?" Then there's the looming question of how Pete (played by a down on his luck, compulsive gambler, Billy Gardell) will pay off "part time mobster, part time shoemaker, Jimmy" (a convincing and threatening Christopher Titus)." Something ominous is afoot as swirls of dark smoke creep about the beautifully majestic MGM Grand Casino dining room. Billy Gardell's Pete Finegan exhibits two opposing personas. To the public, he's the proverbial joker, a popular standup comedian, and the jester of the casino. Behind closed doors, he's a struggling addict who can't pay his phone bill or car insurance. As the thwarted Pete resorts to last-ditch effort tactics and tries to score at the slot machines, he's treated to visits from a Paiute cleaning lady (an erudite Emily Alabi) looking to help him out, a friendly cocktail waitress, the mobster after him for his debt and his casino crush, a former ballet dancer married to Pete's friend, Johnnie B (Jeremy Luke), the cordovox player. Each of these characters represent a different path Pete could've taken, and as everyone around him moves forward, it's Pete that's sitting still. When a fellow gambler wins at the slot machine next to Pete, he's close enough to taste the freedom and triumph that evades him...but yet again failed to achieve his objective "to win it all" What makes tortured antihero Pete such an intriguing character is his lightheartedness, resilience, and hope for "better luck." When the "girl who's off limits" tells him she's leaving Vegas for the suburbs and conventional family life, she tells Pete that "this town is sick - so many are living in a pipe dream that if they play a certain machine or hum a certain tune before they make a bet, their lives will miraculously change overnight." The penny drops, and something shifts in Pete. He realizes the night isn't about winning at the slot machines, it's about confronting his own personal demons, his nagging sins, and that the person holding him back from breaking free from the trap he's in is only himself. As the night comes to an end and we the viewer are left in smoky suspense, Zelniker asks us to answer the question of what will ultimately happen to Pete. What fate awaits him as he finally faces his demons, himself, and must make that pivotal choice... Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/04/25 Full Review Dea L A riveting film that captures the horror and isolation of addiction. Terrific performances from Gardell and Titus. A compelling jazz score enhances the storytelling and furthers the emotional experience. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/02/25 Full Review Read all reviews

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