In what has been another incredible series of the greatest show on television right now, from Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, we have already seen much in way of variety, but this week’s episode “CTRL/ALT/ESC” just might be the one to bookmark thus far.
If “Mulberry Close” took in voyeuristic narratives and social comedy last week, then this week’s episode takes on slasher frights and survival thriller nail biting storytelling. As it tells a tale of a family taking part in a horror-themed escape room challenge, but as they play the game, things get awfully real, rather quickly…
Scary, funny, tense, compelling and most importantly of all moving, this week’s Inside No. 9 was seriously incredible stuff from start to finish. It took a contained concept, already in and of itself built on shock, and – despite being familiar to tenured viewers of this show and some other dark stories – used the intricacies to resonate far deeper than surface surprise.
This was a story not just indebted to its well constructed twist but to the characters around it. Even if you guess the game afoot, you will be as enthralled as those who do not. And will care deeply about this game’s ending.
“CTRL/ALT/ESC” is a horror-adoring story of survival, that develops in tragic and emotionally impactful ways, that will be all too familiar to so many a viewer. Its final stretch is a heart in mouth race that uses two of the most powerful facets of humanity to have you shuffling to your seat’s edge…Hope and Resolve.
As this house of horrors plays out, you yourself are using the clues like the protagonists, urging them forward yourself, and as this frighteningly real escape room’s murderous baddie Doctor Death (who could well be a real big screen slasher killer) comes stomping forward, you may well be a little short of breath yourself! Hoping that a solution presents itself.
The characters at this episode’s core, and roundly fabulous performances from the tight cast of Shearsmith, Pemberton (who is utterly astonishing here), Katherine Kelly, Maddie Evans, Kalli Tant and Angus Wright, are what makes your heart race all the more.
The key to escape is often so clear, no matter the horrors in our way, and this thrilling slice of moving and intelligent dark genius is a tribute to horrors both real and fictitious.
Magnificent work from these master craftsmen. Once again!
Inside No. 9 Series Nine is showing now on BBC Two, every Wednesday at 10pm. Episode One – Four are available on iPlayer Now.
