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Initiation

Initiation

KIll or Be Killed

201681 minTV-MAMidcredits score: 17th percentile of all films
Director
Oren Benamor
Starring
Adam Ryan Rennie, Dan Horton, David Terrell, John Winscher

Five strangers are taken hostage and forced to fight to the death as a form of initiation into a bizarre, violent brotherhood.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Initiation?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Initiation to rent or buy on Apple TV, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Reception

Is Initiation worth watching?

Initiation's Midcredits score is the 17th percentile of all films, from 186 ratings across 3 sources. 26% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

17th percentile

Better received than 17% of films

39th percentile among Thriller18th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)20th
Approval (how many liked it)17th

51 /100

20th percentile of all films

44th percentile among Thriller22nd percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

Ratings scatter across the whole scale — one of the most divisive reactions in the catalog.

Approval

How many liked it

26% liked it

17th percentile of all films

37th percentile among Thriller16th percentile among 2010s
26% rated it 7–1074% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

14th percentile

186 ratings across platforms

12th percentile among Thriller18th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 32% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A low-budget indie film about forced death matches that focuses almost entirely on fistfights with minimal character depth.

Fans praised

  • authentic, brutal fight choreography that feels genuinely impactful
  • grounded performances from a competent cast, especially Dan Horton
  • efficient storytelling: minimal setup, immediate tension, lean runtime

Detractors panned

  • laughable Marine training scenes written by someone uninformed
  • fights with obvious missed punches and low-budget execution
  • flat characters with no development, making it impossible to care

What stands out

Pacing60

immediate start, doesn't slow down; fans approve

TensionDivisive55

fans feel visceral tension; detractors find it boring

Cinematography45

visceral camera work and simple but effective set design

ActingDivisive40

fans find cast competent and grounded, detractors say bad and unconvincing

Effects and spectacleDivisive40

fans praise brutal, authentic fights; detractors see missed punches and lousy choreography

CharactersDivisive25

flat, undereveloped characters; fans still connected despite minimal info

Plot and storyDivisive20

simple premise, repetitive escape-capture cycle, many unanswered questions

Originality20

nothing fresh or new but delivers what genre promises

Watch experience

What is Initiation like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Dark and unsettling: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want something dark that stays with you.

It is intense and leaves you unsettled. Skip it when you want an easy night.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings.

What it feels like

Dark and unsettling.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseDread
Heaviest: throughout
Register
Brutal · 7% of filmsBleak · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its brutal premise straight and unflinching, with visceral fight scenes rendered for grim realism.
The rideThe film sustains a high-pressure atmosphere from captivity through the fights, with the heaviest emotional load distributed across the runtime.
StructureA straightforward captivity story told in order, with flashbacks to one captive's marine training.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Unsettled.

The answer rests on this: UnsettlingHaunting · 14% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe grim, visceral violence and the captive-versus-captive premise linger unpleasantly after the credits.
How it ends · evidence
Ambiguous ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterTyrant
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% (this title) · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Tyrant: A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).

21% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeFive strangers are trapped in a remote compound by a violent brotherhood that forces them to fight to the death; the captors are the monster holding power over the protagonists' lives.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSelf-worth
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% (this title) · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Self-worth · 7% of filmsSurvival
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe initiation forces strangers to confront their own worth and will to survive against a brotherhood that demands brutal conformity.
StanceThe film questions the meaning and cost of brutal initiation and brotherhood without endorsing or condemning outright.

The world

ContemporaryInstitutionalWildernessRealistic
ElectronicSupportive music · original score · Lance Treviño
Settinga remote, controlled compound used by a violent brotherhood for initiation rituals
MusicThe score likely uses percussive, tension-building electronics to underscore the fights.

Content guide

Is Initiation okay for kids?

Ratings in 1 other country
  • UK18

No detailed content scores for this title yet.

What content warnings does Initiation have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Initiation?

Cast

Adam Ryan Rennie
as Simon
Dan Horton
as Marok
David Terrell
as Staff Sergeant Raynor
John Winscher
as Dale
Hunter Smit
as Denny
Denell Johnson
as Wayne
Jonathan Cahill
as Plebe Red
Mike Kopera
as Plebe Green
Jim Poole
as Recruit #2
Evan Schwartz
as Evans

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Initiation?

Movies like Initiation include Walled In (2009), Timber Falls (2007) and The Killing Room (2009). Of the 12 closest matches, most are captor-and-captive stories, and most are survival thrillers.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

9 of these 12 share its feel: brutal. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Initiation?

335 other films share the rarest tag below, premise: death game. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.