Movie Review: ATM

Director: David Brooks
Release Date: April 8, 2012
Runtime: 90 minutes
Rating: R

I love it when a movie is so much better than you expected, and that is exactly what I got from “ATM.”

The movie opens with a mysterious stranger planning something sinister in a dark room before jumping to an office building. David (Brian Geraghty, “When A Stranger Calls”) is obsessed with his co-worker Emily (Alice Eve, “The Raven”). He talks about her so much that his friends and co-workers want him to just make a move already. When he learns that she recently quit for another job, he realizes that he needs to make a move right away. He tried before, but never managed to get the job done.

He decides that the office Christmas party is his best bet. When he sees her leave, he runs after her and offers her a ride home. The only thing standing in the way is his friend Corey (Josh Peck, “Drake & Josh). Corey claims that David is his ride home and basically forces his way into the car. Corey immediately starts talking about how hungry he is and how he wants to make a stop.

Since he has no money, he makes David stop at an ATM, which is in its own small building. All three head into the ATM, but they can’t leave because they notice a mysterious man in a hooded jacket standing outside. The man cannot get inside because you need an ATM card to gain access. When the man kills an innocent guy out walking his dog, the trio realize that they need to do something. They all conveniently left their cell phones in the car, so it becomes a game of cat and mouse as to who will come out on top.

“ATM” is the type of movie that I could watch multiple times without skipping a beat. Okay, so maybe I would need a break of a few weeks in-between screenings, but I would watch it multiple times. I love horror movies that can do a lot with just a few characters because it shows that you don’t need a ton of money or sets. Much of the film takes place in either the ATM building or the parking lot.

This is the kind of movie that makes you think after you watch it. What would you do if you were stuck in a terminal with a killer outside? Would you run off and leave your friends, or stay and fight? There’s also some great chemistry between the two leads who make you believe that they have a relationship. I know King mainly from “She’s Out of My League” so she was a nice surprise in this one.

Granted there are a few missteps here. Every time that you think something good might happen, the director rips it from underneath you. Plus, “ATM” does not have a happy ending for anyone involved in the movie. If that doesn’t deter you, I highly recommend the finished product.