DVD review region 2
Directed by Nic Balthazar
Starring Greg Timmermans, Marijke Pinoy
Release date Out now

A bullied, autistic teenager (Timmermans) finds solace in the world of an online role-playing game, ArchLord, and the friendship of a fellow player, Scarlite…

Right from the get-go, you realise this film was created by someone who knows their stuff when it comes to videogames. From the innovative title sequence to the allusions to ArchLord within Ben’s reality, Nic Balthazar clearly has some insight into the draw of online role-playing games as an escape.

Yes, at times it feels a little like a student film, with the Belgian director doing his best to show off all the techniques he's learned. However, even during these little dives off the deep-end, the strength of the cast holds it all together.

Greg Timmermans as Ben is a revelation, bringing to mind a young Jake Gyllenhaal as Donnie Darko. Timmermans is the beating heart of the film and keeps you enthralled and willing to suspend disbelief, even when the director’s stylistic choices might be in danger of distracting you.

Marijke Pinoy is also entirely believable as Ben’s long-suffering mother, a woman distraught over a son whose choices and thoughts she cannot comprehend, no matter how she tries.

As a neat extra, the DVD comes with a free copy of the ArchLord game. Jen Evans

VERDICT: 7/10
With rumours of a remake already abound, get out there and see the original while it’s still that – original.