AKA Asylum Blackout.
I remember hearing about The Incident back when it was first released. It was receiving generally good word of mouth among the horror community and people were seeking it out. The main difference was the title, because it was called Asylum Blackout then. I don't know what prompted the title change, especially when the new choice seems a lot worse than the original one, but at least I was able to check out the film again, as I had somehow forgotten to review it a decade ago.
George (Rupert Evans), Mac (Kenny Doughty), and Ricky (Joseph Kennedy) are three friends, bandmates, and work colleagues. Their friendship is strained at times, the band isn't working together very well, but at least their job is standard canteen work. Well, standard canteen work in an asylum for the criminally insane, where they also work alongside William (Marcus Garvey). This puts them in a very dangerous situation when a power cut leads to the exterior doors all being closed (electronic locks meaning that they will not be moved) and the inmates deciding to revolt.
Although this is, to date, the only feature from director Alexandre Courtès, unless I am overlooking something, The Incident is a well-constructed and decent little horror movie. It makes the most of the main location, largely taking place within the asylum, without feeling restrained by it (because, well, the plot depends on the characters being trapped there). The script, by S. Craig Zahler, and a bit of input from Jérôme Fansten, is decent for setting up the characters, their surroundings, and the atmosphere of panic and dread once the power goes off. It's no classic, but it does a good enough job, with the biggest flaw probably being the main characters not standing out enough as individuals.
Evans, Doughty, Kennedy, and Garvey are decent leads, all being easy enough to like without having to present themselves as perfect. Dave Legeno is a formidable figure as the head guard, J. B., and Richard Brake is used for his ability to be chilling and scary, playing an inmate named Harry who may well be the ringleader of the mayhem inside the asylum. There are also enjoyable little turns from Darren Kent, also playing an inmate, and Anna Skellern, disappointingly underused in the role of Lynn, the girlfriend of George.
Although it proves to be surprisingly restrained in places, The Incident is punctuated by moments of serious nastiness and unpleasantness. It works well by showing one or two horrors and allowing viewers to consider the bigger picture, although I realise that could also lead to some viewers feeling short-served. I like it. I liked it when it was called Asylum Blackout and I like it now (lesser title and all).
Overall, despite some moments that could be lit better, and despite lacking a great score to underline the visuals, this is an effective little horror movie that holds up as a great example of making the most of one intriguing central idea.
7/10
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