CANNES: The memory of the COVID-19 pandemic still lingers, the deaths and the economic destruction it caused still play on the mind. Ari Aster’s “Eddington,” which just played at the Cannes Film Festival in France, is a brutal look at what the virus did to humanity, the kind of misinformation we were fed and the losses, monetary and emotional, we all suffered.

“Eddington” is a fictional town in the US state of New Mexico and the movie opens as lockdown begins.

In the Cannes title, the mayor of Eddington, Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal), and Sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) are at loggerheads. Their bone of contention is the medical mask — Cross refuses to wear one thus setting a bad example, encouraging people to defy the rule.  Cross also resents Garcia's support for the construction of a giant online server farm and decides to run against Garcia as an anti-lockdown candidate in the upcoming mayoral election.

This forms the main plot, but interestingly it is the sub-plots that add pep and zing to the film. Cross's wife Louise (Emma Stone) suffers from hysteria and depression while Garcia's problematic teen son Eric (Matt Gomez Hidaka) is in love with Sarah (Amelia Hoeferie), who bills herself a warrior for social justice.

Aster manages to grip us with all these diversions and distractions in what could have otherwise been a rather dull narrative. The satire on the sidelines is hilarious, and despite a serious plot that treats the town as a microcosm of America’s problems — from police brutality to racism —   the writer-director manages to keep the audience engaged until the finish line.

The film could have done with tighter editing, though, and it isn’t till the halfway mark that the plot begins to speed up with a segway into a farcical crime thriller.

RIYADH: Are you in search of an exciting break from your routine with friends or family? Look no further than the Escape Hotel, with locations in Riyadh and Jeddah, which is an experience that will leave you buzzing long after the visit is over.

The experience is an escape game where teams work together to solve riddles and puzzles, using clues to escape a themed room. Each room has a specific storyline and challenges, and the goal is to complete the objectives and escape before the timer runs out.

The venue feels like something straight out of a horror movie, immersing you in a chilling atmosphere that will keep your heart racing.

Upon arrival, participants must sign waivers and leave their phones in a locker to enter one of the spine-tingling rooms.

The adrenaline rush is unparalleled, especially when faced with jump-scares like a zombie suddenly charging at you while you try to solve the room’s mysteries. It’s an intense blend of thrill and fun.

The Escape Hotel has a variety of themed rooms, each designed to challenge and excite. Options include the Zombie Suite, the Maintenance Room, the Elevator, the Jumanji Room, the Harry Potter Room, and the Pirate’s Dungeon. Each room presents puzzles and scenarios that require teamwork and quick thinking.

My friends and I tried the Jumanji Room, which was an absolute blast even as it leans more toward adventure than horror.

I also tackled the Zombie Room, which was a heart-pounding experience filled with challenging puzzles. We found ourselves screaming and laughing as we navigated the intricacies of the room. The design included hidden spaces that required us to bend, kneel, and crawl through tunnels, adding to the immersive experience.

The emphasis on teamwork is vital and you quickly realize how collaboration is key to winning.

They have locations in Jeddah and Riyadh. Overall, the Escape Hotel is a fantastic way to break the monotony of a typical night out.