The Collection
"Torture porn" sequel packed with bloody, gory deathtraps.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Collection (sequel to The Collector) is a "torture porn" movie made by veterans of the notorious Saw series. Though it's perhaps not quite as sadistic as other entries in the genre, there's definitely no shortage of grisly violence -- for example, a scene in which an entire club of dancing young people is mown down by a giant rotating blade. There's tons of blood (spraying and spurting included) and severed limbs and heads. A young woman is kidnapped, guns are fired, and a dog is (seemingly) stabbed and decapitated. A topless woman is briefly shown, and there are some other mildly sexual situations. "F--k" is used several times, as are other salty words. The previous film was something of a sleeper, so only hardcore horror fans are likely to be interested.
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Blood all over the place.
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What's the Story?
The "Collector" from the first movie is still at large, and a thief, Arkin (Josh Stewart), who infiltrated his lair, is still a prisoner. When the Collector sets a huge deathtrap for dozens of young people -- in the form of a hot dance party -- Arkin escapes. Unfortunately, pretty Elena (Emma Fitzpatrick) becomes the villain's next prisoner. Elena's wealthy father (Christopher McDonald) sends out an elite rescue squad, who enlist the reluctant Arkin to find and navigate the Collector's hideout. But what happens when superior firepower and bravery are no match for the Collector's treacherous deathtraps?
Is It Any Good?
Writer/director Marcus Dunstan and co-writer Patrick Melton worked on several of the Saw movies, as well as Piranha 3DD, and their taste for torture and extreme gore carries over to THE COLLECTION. Possibly to their credit, the gore isn't as strong here as in other entries in the "torture porn" subgenre, with the movie instead focusing on inventive and imaginative set design, like something out of a gruesome Halloween haunted house.
Creepy traps lurk around every corner, and displays of mutilated bodies formed into new shapes can cause chills, even without the benefit of characters or a story. Unfortunately, that's where The Collection falters. The characters have wooden personalities, and their behavior can best be described as "unthinking." The villain, likewise, has no personality and feels like a dull rip-off of slasher villains from the 1970s and 1980s. With no emotional pull, the movie quickly grows stagnant, and no amount of creative gore can save it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Collection's violence. How intense is it? Is it scary, suspenseful, or just disgusting?
What's the appeal of "torture porn" horror movies?
How do the filmmakers treat the heroine's disability? Is she a role model?
What are the best examples of teamwork in this movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 30, 2012
- On DVD or streaming: March 26, 2013
- Cast: Christopher McDonald, Emma Fitzpatrick, Josh Stewart
- Director: Marcus Dunstan
- Studio: LD Entertainment
- Genre: Horror
- Run time: 82 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: strong bloody violence, grisly images, language and brief nudity
- Last updated: January 2, 2023
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