The Vortex

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2:05

The Vortex

2025,

1h 20m,

Drama/

Mystery & Thriller

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92%

12 Reviews

Tomatometer

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Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

12 Reviews

Popcornmeter

A Paiute woman enters a Las Vegas casino in 1980, triggering strange happenings. The addicted in-house comedian counsels eccentric patrons and must make a pivotal choice.

Alyse Wax

Action Reloaded

Jan 27, 2026

Ultimately, The Vortex is supposed to be about struggles of a gambling addict. Instead, it really just shows the average day in the life of a gambler.

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Edward Douglas

The Weekend Warrior (Substack)

Jan 21, 2026

6.5/10

A relatively harmless one-setting noir drama that showcases some fine acting by Billy Gardell and others in the supporting cast.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 12, 2025

3/4

Here’s an indie effort that handsomely pays out.

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Tom Meek

Cambridge Day

Nov 11, 2025

2.5/4

The Vortex is a talkie film that hangs on the long, resigned face of Gardell, a comedian best known for his long stint on “Mike & Molly.” It’s a dramatic switch that Gardell pulls off, quietly but effectively conveying his inner dread.

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Leo Brady

AMovieGuy.com

Nov 5, 2025

2.5/4

With a strong lead performance and sharply structured dialogue, The Vortex manages to make its gamble pay off.

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Jeffrey Lyles

Lyles' Movie Files

Oct 31, 2025

7.5/10

The final act might have benefitted from an epilogue or a tad more definitive conclusion. Its vagueness might appeal to some but given the investment in some of the characters it might leave the ending less satisfying than the rest of the film.

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Richard Zelniker

Director

Billy Gardell

Actor

Emily Alabi

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The Vortex: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A Paiute woman enters a Las Vegas casino in 1980, triggering strange happenings. The addicted in-house comedian counsels eccentric patrons and must make a pivotal choice.

Director: Richard Zelniker
Producer: Richard Zelniker, Adriana Rotaru, Justin Richards, Callie Nguyen Zelniker
Screenwriter: Richard Zelniker, Steven Barr
Distributor: Synkronized
Production Co: Lucid Pictures
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 14, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 1h 20m

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