In the past, gambling scenes and casinos have been successfully used in several popular films. It can help set the stage or give it some edge or make the film look much cooler by watching a live game of Blackjack unfold for example.
Typically, epic crime dramas or comedies use the casino environment. Horror is a genre that isn’t usually associated with casinos. That isn’t to say that there aren’t any horror films set in casinos. There are probably a lot more than you think. In cinema, it appears that the most innovative ideas and a departure from the usual format, arise from cleverness. Let’s look at six of the best ones around.
The Haunted Casino
The idea of this film is that a group of friends inherit an abandoned and seriously haunted casino on the outskirts of Las Vegas, which is both entertaining and terrifying. The gang is soon disturbed by the spirits of mobsters from the 1940s who spread havoc in the casino and endanger the main cast’s life.
In some countries, the film is also known as Dead Man’s Hand, which is a clever play on words because that is a term used to describe a terrible hand in a poker game. The film is a standard slasher so it isn’t innovative. Despite this, it has its value and is undoubtedly frightening enough to deserve a viewing.
Spirits of the Dead
This famous movie anthology from the 1960s presents three terrifying tales by Edgar Allan Poe, the master of horror himself. Alain Delon, Brigitte Bardot, Jane Fonda, Peter Fonda and Terence Stamp are amongst the stars in the cast. The second narrative, about an Austrian commander stationed in Italy in the 1800s, is what puts this film on our list. This chapter contains a lengthy and dramatic gambling sequence involving the dashing Alain Delon and Brigitte Bardot, with the stakes escalating to unacceptably high levels. When the Italian film was distributed in the United States and the United Kingdom, it was dubbed in English. Critics had conflicting feelings about it.
The Leprechaun Three
There are eight films in the Leprechaun film series. The original movie was released in 1993 and starred Jennifer Aniston and Warwick Davis as the titular character, a deadly leprechaun. Because the third film is set in Las Vegas, casinos are a given. According to the plot, a pawn shop owner receives a leprechaun statue with a gold coin around his neck.
The proprietor of the shop is told not to take the leprechaun’s gold. Naturally, he takes it away, and all hell breaks loose. The statue changes into a murderous leprechaun who will go to any lengths to get his wealth back. Overall, Leprechaun 3 received negative feedback. The first film in the series is the most popular, with many fans enjoying the dark humour and campy atmosphere. With that said, there have been several sequels indicating that these films are doing something well.
Remains
Remains, a horror film released in 2011, was based on Steve Niles’ cult graphic novel of the same name. The film is set in a fake Reno casino and revolves around a zombie apocalypse. To protect themselves from the zombie attack, those present in this run-down casino must join together and fortify the facility. While the film belongs to the horror genre, it is not as frightening as some of the best horror films. On the other hand, the premise is intriguing, and the filmmaker has done a fantastic job of translating the story from the page to the screen.
Resident Evil: Extinction
Resident Evil is a source of inspiration for video games and films. While the games were released in 1996, the first film adaptation was released in 2002. Mila Jovovich stars in the movie, portraying the heroine as flesh-eating zombies overrun Las Vegas. At the same time, a rescue team searches for survivors. It’s also about deducing the truth regarding a conspiracy. Because the film is set in Las Vegas, casinos and gambling activities are unavoidable. Professional gamblers positively praise the movie’s gambling scenes. The Resident Evil franchise appears to be enjoying continuous action sequences, and the series’ conclusion seems to be a long way off.
Tzameti
Tzameti is a unique and unusual Georgian horror film that uses the suspense of gambling to shock and fear the audience. The core concept of the film, also known as ’13’ in its native tongue, is focused on a game of Russian roulette, making it a picture about chance. It follows a Georgian construction worker who relocates to France searching for work and receives an envelope with what he believes are job instructions. Instead, he is stranded in a remote cabin, where he must play a deadly game of chance to escape and survive.
It is by far the most well-known film on this list since it brilliantly weaves tension and dread, keeping the audience on edge for almost the entire length. The only drawback is that you’ll have to make do with subtitles, but the extra focus required nearly makes you more immersed.
