The Vortex

2025

Drama

Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 97% · 13 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 97% · 50 ratings
IMDb Rating 5.8/10 10 123 123

casino addiction las vegas 1980s independent film

Plot summary

In 1980 Las Vegas, a Native Paiute cleaning lady enters a slots room at the MGM Grand Casino, setting off a chain of strange and unexplained events. Meanwhile, in-house comic Pete plays shrink to a host of colorful misfits while dodging mobsters and collectors. Struggling with a gambling addiction, he faces a life-altering decision that may determine his fate.

Director

Richard Zelniker Photo
Richard Zelniker

Top cast

Yolanda Snowball Photo
Yolanda Snowball as Alice
Mary Scheer Photo
Mary Scheer as Pat
Christopher Titus Photo
Christopher Titus as Jimmy
Ciara Hanna Photo
Ciara Hanna as Tracy
720p.WEB
739.07 MB
1280*640
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
24 fps
1 hr 20 min
Seeds ...

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by 9 / 10

Don't Miss This Film In Theaters Playing In Theaters Now

I was engaged from the first second. A card with text came up with the historical MGM Grand fire information. 1980. Vegas. Followed by enchanting music that was mesmerizing as credits started coming up, then followed by a tableau of shots that kept me on the edge of my seat. Such a unique and unusual way to keep the audience engaged from the start to finish. A character-driven movie that resembled the best of a stage play with the immediacy of a deeply cinematic tone seen through a camera that is basically a fly on the wall in a mostly one room set, a slots room where the compulsive gambler, Billy Gardell plays and hosts a bunch of wacky folks who come and go. Characters in equal parts dangerous, amusing, strange, eccentric and entertaining there was never a dull moment. The performances were across the board amazing! The music, the design, and the hint of a karmic story that brings the Southern Paiute nation into the hands of a supernatural and mystical power that drives the question of what really happened at the MGM Grand that night... and I'll say no more. Don't miss this movie in the theater playing currently in LA. I saw the movie at the premiere and was so happy I went. Don't miss it at Laemmle's NOHO 7.
Reviewed by 9 / 10

Great job to the filmmakers!

Just got out a limited release screening for this film! Give it a spin and you can just get lucky! Awesome casting and direction. This film speaks to independent filmmaking and it has some great writing overall. It's really a must-see indy for those interested in character-driven stories and Billy G crushes the performance. He keeps us engaged and into it the whole way. Definitely will get a wider audience as it continues to build theaters. It's a must watch for those into re-living the period casino life with all the chaos that entailed for years Definitely consider taking a trip to go see this film when it comes to a city near you soon.
Reviewed by 9 / 10

Great performance and an amazing recreation of 1980 Las Vegas

I went to see The Vortex during its limited run in Los Angeles not realizing the story would play out against the backdrop of the 1980 MGM Grand Hotel fire in Las Vegas, but I left very impressed with the execution by Richard Zelniker and the performance by Billy Gardell.Zelniker presents a narrative that swirls with an intoxicatingly dizzying effect, telling a cautionary tale of a comedian, Pete, played by Gardell, struggling with gambling debt and admittedly in too deep with underworld associate and friend, Jimmy, played by Christopher Titus. The complicated dance that plays out from the beginning as Jimmy comes to collect is heightened by the passage of time as well as the eerie occurrences which give way to many jackpots throughout the night, spurred by repeat visits from a Paiute woman (Emily Alabi) on the casino floor. As Pete's desperation increases, the Steadicam shots seem faster, creating a vortex-like effect from which the film draws its name, only slowing as he addresses his shortcomings through conversations with other casino patrons and attempts to take control of his fate.The film's commitment in its depiction of characters searching for redemption through gambling provides the a near-perfect level of dissonance and in turn evokes a sinking feeling through the last act.The picture gives me hope that independent film will live on with convincingly good quality and is proof that period pieces are possible at any level. I believe it to be a must-see for audiences seeking heavy handed character-driven films.
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