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Elevator Game (2023) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Elevator Game (2023) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2023 · 1 h 34 m · English
Echo score 36
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Directed by
Rebekah McKendry
Starring
Adam Hurtig, Megan Best, Darren Wall, Bradley Sawatzky, Gino Anania, Verity Marks

A group of friends initiates a dangerous game known as the Elevator Game, an urban legend said to open a gateway to another world. As they repeatedly ascend in an elevator, bypassing floors and defying its programmed sequence, they find themselves facing unsettling and increasingly terrifying phenomena. Their pursuit of the unknown tests their bravery and pushes them to the brink of madness as they confront the unsettling forces that reside within the elevator and beyond.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Elevator Game
  8. 8 Every angle
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3 main characters · contains spoilers

Elevator Game Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Elevator Game (2023), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Ryan Keaton

    played by Gino Anania

    Ryan is portrayed as a determined intern who joins the group of streamers under the pretense of gaining closure about his missing sister, Becki. His commitment to uncovering the truth drives much of the action, yet his desperation blinds him to the risks involved. Ryan's arc highlights themes of loss and the burdens of familial loyalty as he confronts both the supernatural and his own emotional turmoil.

    • 🕵️‍♂️ Investigator
    • 💔 Brother
  • Chloe Young

    played by Verity Marks

    Chloe serves as a central figure in the team, displaying both courage and resourcefulness. As the investigation unfolds, she becomes increasingly aware of the supernatural forces at play. Her tragic ending marks a poignant moment in the film, emphasizing the theme of friendship and sacrifice as she confronts the Fifth Floor Woman alongside Ryan.

    • 🤝 Friend
    • 🧠 Smart
  • Kris Russo

    played by Alec Carlos

    Kris is depicted as the troubled member of the group, whose past relationship with Becki reveals deeper tensions within the team. His refusal to continue the ritual stemming from guilt leads to dire consequences. This complex character embodies the themes of jealousy and moral conflict, ultimately becoming a victim of the very forces he feared.

    • 😔 Troubled
    • 🚫 Reluctant

Last updated: December 03, 2024 at 14:28

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Setting

Where and When Does Elevator Game Take Place?

The setting of Elevator Game (2023): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The time period of the movie is contemporary, reflecting current trends in social media and digital content creation. This era is characterized by a fascination with urban legends and the use of technology to explore the unknown, often leading individuals to investigate potentially dangerous situations for online fame.

Location

Local building, Elevator Shaft

The local building serves as the central setting for the investigation into the mysterious disappearance of Becki Keaton. Known for its ominous reputation, the building contains an elevator that plays a pivotal role in a sinister paranormal game. Within this building lies an elevator shaft where the tragic incident involving a sorority pledge named Allie took place, marking it as a site of both physical and supernatural danger.

  • 🏢 Building
  • 🚪 Elevator

Last updated: December 03, 2024 at 14:28

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3 major themes

Elevator Game Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Elevator Game (2023) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Supernatural

    The movie heavily explores the theme of the supernatural, centering on the vengeful spirit of the Fifth Floor Woman. The characters' curiosity about paranormal legends propels them into a series of thrilling and deadly encounters. This theme highlights the dangers of dabbling in rituals without understanding the consequences, blending the realms of the living and the dead.

  • Loss

    Loss is a central theme, underscored by Ryan's hidden connection to Becki and the emotional turmoil surrounding her disappearance. The impact of loss is felt throughout the group, as the characters are confronted with their own vulnerabilities and the tragic death of their friends. This theme emphasizes the tragic outcomes that can unfold from unresolved grief and the quest for answers.

  • Investigation

    An investigation drives the narrative, as Ryan and his team seek to uncover the truth behind the elevator game and Becki's disappearance. This theme explores the consequences of pursuing elusive truths and the unraveling of personal relationships during the quest for knowledge. It emphasizes the fine line between curiosity and recklessness in the face of danger.

Last updated: December 03, 2024 at 14:28

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Character & theme questions

Elevator Game Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Elevator Game (2023): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does the movie take place?

The story is set in a local building with an ominous reputation, featuring an elevator that serves as the focal point for the dangerous paranormal game. The building contains a specific elevator shaft where a tragic incident involving a sorority pledge named Allie previously occurred, marking it as a site of both physical and supernatural danger.

  • setting
  • building
  • location
  • elevator shaft
Q2

When is the movie set?

The movie takes place in contemporary times, reflecting current trends in social media and digital content creation. This era is characterized by a fascination with urban legends and the use of technology to explore the unknown, often leading individuals to investigate potentially dangerous situations for online fame.

  • time period
  • contemporary
  • modern era
  • social media
Q3

Who is the Fifth Floor Woman?

The Fifth Floor Woman is the central supernatural entity in the movie, a vengeful spirit connected to the elevator game legend. She represents the dangerous consequences of dabbling in paranormal rituals without understanding their consequences, blending the realms of the living and the dead.

  • fifth floor woman
  • supernatural
  • vengeful spirit
  • entity
Q4

What supernatural elements are in the movie?

The movie heavily explores supernatural themes centered on the vengeful spirit of the Fifth Floor Woman. The characters' curiosity about paranormal legends propels them into a series of thrilling and deadly encounters, highlighting the dangers of dabbling in rituals without understanding the consequences.

  • supernatural
  • paranormal
  • horror
  • spirits
Q5

Who is Ryan Keaton?

Ryan Keaton is a determined intern who joins a group of streamers under the pretense of gaining closure about his missing sister, Becki. His commitment to uncovering the truth drives much of the action, though his desperation blinds him to the risks involved. His arc highlights themes of loss and the burdens of familial loyalty.

  • ryan keaton
  • protagonist
  • brother
  • missing sister
Q6

Who is Chloe Young?

Chloe serves as a central figure in the team, displaying both courage and resourcefulness. As the investigation unfolds, she becomes increasingly aware of the supernatural forces at play. Her character emphasizes themes of friendship and sacrifice as she confronts the Fifth Floor Woman alongside Ryan.

  • chloe young
  • character
  • brave
  • supportive
Q7

Who is Kris Russo?

Kris is depicted as the troubled member of the group, whose past relationship with Becki reveals deeper tensions within the team. His refusal to continue the ritual stemming from guilt leads to dire consequences, embodying themes of jealousy and moral conflict.

  • kris russo
  • character
  • guilt
  • troubled
Q8

What are the main themes of the movie?

The movie explores three primary themes: the supernatural dangers of the elevator game, the theme of loss centered on Ryan's connection to his missing sister Becki, and the investigation into mysterious disappearances that drives the narrative. These themes emphasize the consequences of pursuing dangerous knowledge and unresolved grief.

  • themes
  • supernatural
  • loss
  • investigation
  • meaning
Q9

What is the Elevator Game legend?

The Elevator Game is an urban legend depicted in the film as a dangerous ritual that opens a gateway to another world. Participants repeatedly ascend in an elevator, bypassing floors and defying its programmed sequence to access another dimension, but this comes with terrifying supernatural consequences.

  • elevator game
  • urban legend
  • ritual
  • other world
Q10

How does loss factor into the story?

Loss is a central theme, underscored by Ryan's hidden connection to Becki and the emotional turmoil surrounding her disappearance. The impact of loss is felt throughout the group as characters confront their own vulnerabilities and the tragic deaths of friends, emphasizing the tragic outcomes from unresolved grief and the quest for answers.

  • loss
  • grief
  • missing person
  • tragedy

Movie threads

More Movies Like Elevator Game, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Elevator Game tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Ritualistic horror movies like Elevator Game

Stories where curious characters awaken ancient evils through forbidden rituals. If you enjoyed the high-stakes ritual of Elevator Game, explore more movies like it where characters tempt fate with supernatural games. These films share a dark tone, heavy emotional weight, and a bleak ending feel, often involving urban legends and vengeful spirits.

  • unsettling
  • dreadful
  • anxious
  • paranoid
  • ritualistic
  • supernatural
  • Tone: dark, tense
  • Pacing: steady, escalating
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread typically follow a clear cause-and-effect structure. A group or individual learns the specific, rule-based steps of a ritual. Their initial skepticism gives way to terrifying confirmation as they proceed, with each stage escalating the danger until they are trapped in a nightmare of their own making, facing consequences they cannot escape.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the 'folklore in action' trope. They create tension through rigid, escalating rules, explore themes of reckless pursuit and unchecked curiosity, and deliver experiences defined by oppressive dread and the high cost of meddling with the unknown.

Claustrophobic horror films similar to Elevator Game

Tales of terror where confined spaces become inescapable traps. For viewers who liked the trapped feeling of Elevator Game, this section collects similar horror movies with a claustrophobic setting. These stories use confined spaces to build steady, high-intensity dread and deliver heavy emotional experiences with dark, often bleak conclusions.

  • claustrophobic
  • anxious
  • paranoid
  • oppressive
  • trapped
  • tense
  • Tone: dark, oppressive, anxious
  • Pacing: steady, building pressure
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern revolves around characters being physically trapped in a single, restrictive location. The horror exploits this confinement, creating a sense of suffocation and paranoia. The threat is often internal, emerging from within the space itself or from the psychological breakdown of the trapped individuals, leading to a desperate struggle for survival.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their masterful use of setting to generate palpable anxiety and dread. The shared vibe is one of inescapable pressure, where the walls feel like they are closing in. The pacing is typically steady, building tension relentlessly within the tight confines, resulting in a highly intense and oppressive viewing experience.

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Every angle

Elevator Game (2023) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Elevator Game in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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