“Spin the Bottle” takes the innocent party game and transforms it into a supernatural horror film about a cursed bottle and the deadly consequences of playing with it. This PG-13 horror movie, directed by Gavin Wiesen, brings a familiar premise to the screen with a runtime of over two hours.
Released for Video On Demand on October 4th, the film has garnered attention for its premise, though critics have noted it relies heavily on familiar horror tropes and clichés. The “cursed object” concept shows potential but ultimately follows a predictable pattern of scares!
Did you know that this is the first horror movie entirely centered around the game of Spin the Bottle? Check out the original Spin the Bottle game that inspired all this chaos!
What is Spin the Bottle 2024 film about?
“Spin the Bottle” begins in Jennings, Texas, in 1978, where a group of teenagers discover a decrepit-looking bottle in a religious girl’s basement. When they play Spin the Bottle with it, they unknowingly unleash a ghostly presence. The night becomes the stuff of legend as a massacre occurs.
Thirty years later, Cole (Tanner Stine), whose mother Maura (Ali Larter) survived the original incident, is warned to stay out of the basement. Naturally, he ends up there with a new group of friends. Cole becomes the last hope to destroy the bottle and end the curse that has haunted the town for decades.
Enjoy the feeling of games-turned-nightmares? Check our list of Spin the Bottle Dares for adults – because the right dare can turn any innocent game into pure chaos.
A familiar horror formula
The film features many typical horror elements—flickering lights, characters splitting up unnecessarily, and jump scares that fail to leave a lasting impression. Despite everything the friends endure, they inevitably end up playing spin the bottle again, making decisions that lack logic and learning from past mistakes.
Justin Long plays a jaded, non-believing cop who dismisses Cole’s claims about the supernatural threat. The PG-13 rating keeps the film from delivering the intense horror and gore that fans might expect from a ghost/demon-themed slasher, resulting in a tame experience despite the promising concept.
Cast of Spin the Bottle Film
“Spin the Bottle” features a cast led by Tanner Stine and includes some recognizable names in the horror genre. Here’s the full cast list:
- Tanner Stine as Cole Randell, the main protagonist who must confront the curse
- Kaylee Kaneshiro (as Kaylee Bryant) as Kasey Stanton
- Tony Amendola as Father Harris
- Ali Larter as Maura Randell, Cole’s mother and a survivor of the original incident
- Justin Long as Sheriff Stanton
- Christopher Ammanuel as Travis
- Ryan Whitney as Mila Jayne
- Hal Cumpston as Westin
- Angela Halili as Sophie
- Scarlett DeMeo (as Samantha Cormier) as Lorelai Randell
- Emily Skinner as Carleen
- Grant Morningstar as Carter
- Sophia DeWier as Phyllis
- Jacob Radin as David
- Kees DeVos as Ed
- Carlo Mancasola as Young Father Harris
- Kylie Moore as J.P.
- Marc Forget as Mr. Jayne
- Amie MacKenzie as Mrs. Jayne
- Victor Browne as Coach Schomes
- Matisha Baldwin as Nurse
- Madonna Madge as Ms. Wasson
- Tyler Wolfe as Cole’s Dad
- Nathan Kohnen as Linebacker
- Erin Mulvey as Singer
Director Gavin Wiesen
Gavin Wiesen directs this supernatural horror film. The movie represents his venture into the horror genre, crafting a story about a cursed bottle that continues to claim victims decades after its initial discovery.
Critical Reception
Critics have noted that “Spin the Bottle” follows many familiar horror conventions. The film has been described as “trite” and “overlong,” with reviewers suggesting that the concept might have worked better as a short film rather than a feature with a runtime exceeding two hours.
Reviews mention that the film checks off numerous ghost clichés, resulting in a formulaic experience with predictable scares. Despite having a familiar “cursed object” premise that showed potential, the execution ultimately relies on well-worn tropes.
“Spin the Bottle” includes many standard horror film elements. The movie features the expected flickering lights, characters separating at inopportune moments, and jump scares that critics found lacking in lasting impact.
One standout sequence mentioned is a propulsive chase scene, though reviewers noted it plays out too quickly just as tension begins to build. The PG-13 rating has been cited as a limiting factor, preventing the film from delivering more intense horror that genre fans might expect.
How to Watch Spin the Bottle Movie
“Spin the Bottle” was released on Video On Demand on Friday, October 4th. Viewers interested in watching this supernatural horror film can access it through various digital platforms that offer VOD services.
FAQs about Spin the Bottle Movie
1. Is Spin the Bottle movie appropriate for teenagers?
“Spin the Bottle” is rated PG-13. This rating suggests the film contains content that may be inappropriate for children under 13 years of age. Parents are cautioned to be mindful that some material may be unsuitable for younger children.
Critics have noted that the PG-13 rating limits the intensity of the horror elements, resulting in a tamer experience compared to R-rated films in the genre. While the movie deals with supernatural threats and likely contains frightening imagery, the content stays within the boundaries established for PG-13 horror films.
2. Who stars in Spin the Bottle movie?
The film stars Tanner Stine (known for Nickelodeon’s “The Thundermans”) as Cole Randell, Ali Larter (recognized for her roles in “Final Destination” and “Obsession”) as Maura Randell, and Justin Long as Sheriff Stanton.
Additional cast members include Kaylee Kaneshiro (as Kaylee Bryant), Tony Amendola as Father Harris, Christopher Ammanuel as Travis, and several others who make up both the contemporary characters and those from the 1978 timeline.
3. What is the plot of Spin the Bottle movie?
The plot revolves around a cursed bottle that, when used in the game Spin the Bottle, unleashes a supernatural entity. The story begins in 1978 in Jennings, Texas, where teenagers playing with the bottle trigger a massacre.
Thirty years later, Cole Randell, whose mother survived the original incident, discovers the bottle in his basement with his friends despite warnings to stay away. Cole becomes the key to destroying the bottle and ending the curse that has plagued the town for decades.
4. When was Spin the Bottle movie released?
“Spin the Bottle” was released on Video On Demand (VOD) on Friday, October 4th. This digital release makes the film accessible to viewers through various streaming platforms and digital rental services.
5. Who directed Spin the Bottle?
Gavin Wiesen directed “Spin the Bottle.” The film represents his work in the horror genre, creating a supernatural story about a cursed object that brings terror across decades.
6. How long is the Spin the Bottle movie?
“Spin the Bottle” has a runtime of over two hours. Critics have specifically noted this length as potentially excessive for the premise, suggesting that the material might have been better suited for a shorter format.
7. Is Spin the Bottle based on a true story?
No, “Spin the Bottle” is not based on a true story. The film is a fictional horror movie that uses the familiar party game as a vehicle for a supernatural curse narrative. The story of teenagers in 1978 unleashing a ghostly presence and the aftermath thirty years later is entirely fictional.
8. Does Spin the Bottle movie relate to the actual game?
Yes, the film directly incorporates the actual party game of Spin the Bottle into its premise. In the movie, teenagers in 1978 play the traditional game using what turns out to be a cursed bottle, unleashing supernatural forces. Later, despite the known dangers, another group ends up playing the game again with the same bottle, perpetuating the curse.
