Vile

Prisoners wake inside a sealed mansion and discover metal skull implants that siphon out their brain's pain signals. A mysterious system tallies the data and doors only unlock after a fixed amount of pain has been inflicted. With no obvious escape, the group tries to understand who put them there and why, while the devices intensify the fear and coercion among them. Trust frays as secret alliances form, and each person weighs mercy against survival. The house becomes a brutal test of nerves, loyalty, and moral boundaries, pushing people to act against their own instincts. Small acts of defiance are met with harsh repercussions, underscoring the cost of choosing mercy over self preservation. No one leaves untouched by the ordeal.

Directed by Taylor Sheridan, Vile features a screenplay by Eric Jay Beck and Rob Kowsaluk. The cast includes Eric Jay Beck as Nick, April Matson as Tayler, Akeem Smith as Tony, Greg Cipes as Sam, and Elisha Skorman as Kai.

Box office data for Vile is not widely reported, reflecting its limited release in niche markets. It's mainly known through festival appearances and home media rather than a wide theatrical run. It has circulated mainly among collectors of indie horror.

Vile did not attract major award nominations. It did, however, spark discussion among horror fans about Sheridan's early directorial voice and the movie's stark portrayal of coercive control within a closed setting. Some viewers noted performance choices that hinted at Sheridan's later screenwriting strengths.

Reviewers describe the film as a lean survival thriller that mines pressure and moral ambiguity rather than grand scares. The setup raises questions about pain as currency, trust under duress, and how far people will go to escape.