Cheap Thrills

What would you do if a stranger offered you piles of cash to do anything on a dare? That's the premise of this razor-sharp morality tale, in which Pat Healy's debt-ridden family man and an old buddy from high school (Ethan Embry) are tempted to take up seemingly frivolous bets offered by a thrill-seeking couple they meet in a bar. As the evening proceeds, the line between need and greed blurs as the wagers become darker, dirtier and more painful. The presence of David Koechner (Stetson-wearing Champ Kind in the Anchorman spoofs) as the dispenser of the dosh could signify broad comedy but any laughs here are of the darkest hue, and Koechner's chummy bonhomie is a mere cover for a disturbing level of game-playing. Meanwhile, Sara Paxton plays the young trophy wife who proves that she's no dumb blonde when it comes to a challenge. It's a thought-provoking ride, particularly in a post-financial crisis world where a combination of desperation and temptation can make anyone consider doing the unthinkable.