The Vortex is new Las Vegas themed drama from writer/director Richard Zelniker (As Night Comes) and co-writer Steven Barr (Mass Effect). The film stars Billy Gardell (The Electric State), Jaina Lee Ortiz (Rosewood) and Jamie McShane (Wednesday).

In 1980 Las Vegas, a Native Paiute cleaning lady enters a slots room at the MGM Grand Casino, setting off a chain of strange and unexpected events. Meanwhile, the in-house comic plays shrink to a host of colorful misfits while dodging mobsters and “collectors.” Struggling with a gambling addiction, he faces a decision that may determine his ultimate fate.

The film centers on Pete (Billy Gardell), a vegas stand-up and habitual gambler who is running out of luck, we spend most of the film in one location as Pete plays slots through the night to try and get lucky where he is joined by a cast of characters through the night.

The filmmakers have made a bold choice to shoot mostly handheld and oner’s with the camera barely staying still throughout (all credit to cinematographer Justin Richards), this could be seen as distracting at times but I feel it really works with the mood of the piece and is accompanied by an abstract Jazz score from Asdru Sierra (much akin to Damien Chazzel’s  ‘Whiplash’) and adds some excitement and mood to what could otherwise be quite bland settings.

It’s a great little chunk of vegas live and a cautionary tale about how gamblers function however it is more of a mood and charecter piece rather than being especially action heavy or plot driven.  Billy Cardell gives a thoughtful and captivating performance that helps to drive the film along and there are some great charecter performances from the supporting cast too.

3/5 – A great mood piece about vegas and gambling with a slightly rambling plot.

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Rent The Vortex now on Prime Video