DVD review (region 2)
Directed by Luis Piedrahita, Rodrigo Sopeña
Starring Lluís Homar, Alejo Sauras, Elena Ballesteros, Santi Millán, Federico Luppi
Release date Out now

Four mathematical geniuses are called to a mysterious meeting by a man named Fermat. Once there, the group are trapped inside a room and given a series of puzzles to solve within strict time limits. Every time they fail to do so, the walls close in…

Fermat’s Room slots into three recent trends: the puzzle-themed chiller, characterised by Cube, Saw and The Collector; the maths-fi of Pi and Primer; and the resurgence of Spanish fantasy (or fantastical) cinema with the likes of The Orphanage, [Rec] and Timecrimes. It is also influenced by a more unlikely source: the door knockers’ conundrum from Labyrinth is trundled out at one point (“One of us is lying and one of us is telling the truth…”) as a character muses “I think I saw this in a movie once…”

Despite its influences, Luis Piedrahita and Rodrigo Sopeña’s playful film feels fresh and original. The writer-director duo exploit their simple premise for all it is worth, cranking up the tension as the walls edge ever-closer and the secrets of the victims start to spill out. Most of the action is restricted to one location, but there’s nothing stagebound about the visuals as the camera explores the shrinking room from various angles with a real verve and energy. Terrific fun.

DVD extras include a couple of worthwhile deleted scenes, a comprehensive ‘making of’ and an insight into some of the film's subtle computer effects. Matt McAllister

VERDICT: 8/10
Who’d have thought maths could be so enjoyable?