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The Belko Experiment

The Belko Experiment 2017

Directed by

Greg Mclean

Greg Mclean

Made by

BH Tilt

BH Tilt

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Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Belko Experiment (2017). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.


As Mike Milch and Barry Norris, two unremarkable office workers at Belko Industries in Bogotá, Colombia, step into their workplace, they are greeted by an alarming sight: unfamiliar security guards are turning away the local Colombian staff at the entrance. The atmosphere is thick with tension as they’re informed that every employee has a tracking device implanted at the base of their skull—a measure intended to mitigate the risk of kidnapping. Little do they know, this unsettling revelation is just the start of their harrowing ordeal.

Evan Smith, the head security guard, is unaware of any irregularities concerning the new guards, but soon the situation escalates dangerously. A disembodied voice crackles through the intercom, presenting a chilling command: kill two of your colleagues or face dire consequences. Initially dismissing this as a cruel joke, the employees quickly realize the gravity of the threat when, following the refusal to act, four coworkers suddenly suffer gruesome deaths as explosives embedded within their tracking devices detonate, leaving nothing but chaos in their wake.

As panic stirs within the office, Mike attempts to remove his tracker with a box cutter, but he is forced to cease when the voice warns that his own explosive could go off if he continues. A ghastly ultimatum is then delivered: unless thirty people are killed within two hours, sixty lives will be forfeit next.

Amid the growing tension, the employees divide into factions. Mike stands firm with his group against the bloodshed, while Barry, accompanied by executive Wendell, and colleagues Terry, Antonio, and Bradley, plot to gain access to weapons by breaking into the armory. Meanwhile, Mike, alongside his girlfriend Leandra Florez, Evan, and other coworkers Keith, Leota, Peggy, Vince, and Roberto, desperately try to send a cry for help by hanging distress signals from the rooftop. Their frantic attempts are met with gunfire from soldiers positioned outside.

A brutal confrontation occurs when Barry’s group ambushes Mike’s faction in the stairwell, leading to Evan’s tragic death and the theft of his keys to the armory. Armed now with weapons, Barry and Wendell force thirty employees, including Mike and Peggy, to kneel in line. As Barry starts executing them one by one, Dany, who has been hiding in the basement, cleverly restores darkness by shutting off the building’s lights, giving Mike and the others a crucial chance to evade more killings.

The office spirals into a state of madness as the violence intensifies. Barry and his followers unleash a hail of bullets, leading to further casualties. In a shocking twist, colleagues Bradley and Antonio become targets themselves, meeting merciless ends at the hands of their coworkers. Dany and Roberto find temporary refuge in the elevator shaft, navigating the horrors unfolding around them. With each passing moment, the atmosphere grows increasingly sinister, revealing Belko Industries as a crucible of human savagery, with the fate of its remaining employees hanging by a thread.

As Barry and Wendell continue their deadly pursuit, the ominous voice informs them of the death toll: 29 lives lost. With only an hour left, they must claim 31 more, which tragically includes Terry, Leota, Peggy, and Keith, leaving a scant 16 survivors. The voice chillingly states that the individual responsible for the most deaths in the next hour will be spared. During the chaos, Barry encounters Dany and Roberto trapped in the elevator shaft, resulting in a grim end for Roberto as the ascending elevator crushes him.

In the meantime, Leandra uncovers Marty and Chet scouring for unexploded trackers to execute their deadly plan. They aim to create a massive explosion to breach the building, but their sinister intentions are thwarted by Wendell’s relentless killing spree. In a final confrontation, Leandra manages to take Wendell down, leaving a meager six survivors: Vince, Mike, Barry, Dany, Leandra, and Liezle, whose fate soon follows.

In a fit of rage, Mike strikes Barry down with a tape dispenser as the building’s seal is finally broken. Soldiers escort Mike, the lone survivor, to a nearby hangar, where he comes face to face with the mysterious voice’s owner. This enigmatic figure discloses their involvement in an international organization dedicated to studying human behavior, revealing a panel that corresponds to the fallen 80 employees. In a moment of cunning, Mike secretly places the trackers collected by Marty on the soldiers and the voice itself, flipping every switch besides his own. The resulting explosions obliterate the soldiers, severely injuring the voice before Mike retrieves a firearm, systematically eliminating the remaining threats.

Emerging into the open air, Mike realizes he is merely one of many survivors from similar experiments, all under constant surveillance. A new voice echoes: ”> End stage one. Commence stage two.”

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of The Belko Experiment (2017) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.


Arrival at Belko Industries

Mike Milch and Barry Norris enter their office building in Bogotá, Colombia, where they notice a sense of unease in the air. Unfamiliar security guards are turning away local employees, hinting at a distressing situation about to unfold.

Belko Industries, Bogotá

Unveiling the Tracking Devices

The employees are horrified to learn that they have tracking devices implanted in their skulls. This drastic measure is explained as a precaution against potential kidnappings, but it leaves an ominous feeling amongst the staff.

Belko Industries, Bogotá

The Chilling Command

A disembodied voice disrupts the office atmosphere with a terrifying announcement: two employees must be killed or face deadly repercussions. Initially dismissed as a prank, the employees soon grasp the terrifying reality of their situation when four colleagues are brutally murdered.

Belko Industries, Bogotá

First Casualties

The gravity of the situation becomes apparent when four coworkers are suddenly killed by explosions triggered by their tracking devices. This brutal demonstration of power erupts chaos among the employees, who now understand the seriousness of the voice's ultimatum.

Belko Industries, Bogotá

Attempt to Remove Trackers

In desperation, Mike tries to cut out his tracking device but stops when warned that it could trigger an explosive. The voice escalates the tension by announcing that unless thirty employees are killed within two hours, sixty will face certain death.

Belko Industries, Bogotá

Factions Form

As the situation deteriorates, employees begin to divide into factions. Mike and his group aim to resist killing, while Barry and others seek weapons from the armory, leading to a stark division among colleagues as fear sets in.

Belko Industries, Bogotá

Signal for Help

Mike and his allies attempt to send a plea for help by signaling from the rooftop, but their efforts are met with gunfire from external soldiers. This further heightens the sense of danger as the walls close in around them.

Belko Industries, Bogotá

Betrayal and Bloodshed

Barry's faction ambushes Mike's group, resulting in the death of Evan and the acquisition of keys to the armory. This brutal confrontation marks a turning point where the fight for survival turns increasingly violent.

Belko Industries, Bogotá

Light and Darkness

In a clever maneuver, Dany dims the building's lights during a deadly execution by Barry's group, creating a moment of chaos. This unexpected turn gives Mike and his associates a crucial chance to evade impending executions.

Belko Industries, Bogotá

Heightened Death Toll

With the clock ticking and the death toll rising, the voice announces that 29 have died, leaving the remaining group in a panic. As the cruel demands intensify, the pressure mounts on the survivors to make horrific choices.

Belko Industries, Bogotá

Final Confrontations

As the situation spirals out of control, high casualties are reported, resulting in more colleagues becoming targets. Betrayals reveal the darkest sides of human nature as survival instincts overpower previous loyalties.

Belko Industries, Bogotá

The Last Stand

In a climactic encounter, Mike confronts Barry that leads to a tragic conclusion with only a handful of survivors remaining. The horrifying reality of their choices sinks in as trust and alliances shatter.

Belko Industries, Bogotá

The Mysterious Voice

After surviving the chaos, Mike meets the owner of the disembodied voice, who reveals their organization’s dark purpose of studying human behavior. This shocking revelation unveils the gruesome mechanisms behind the employees' ordeal.

Nearby hangar

Final Act of Survival

In a moment of ingenuity, Mike turns the tables by placing trackers on the soldiers before triggering a wave of explosions. This act of rebellion successfully eradicates remaining threats, leaving Mike as the sole survivor.

Nearby hangar

Commencement of Stage Two

Finally emerging into the open, Mike learns he is just one of many subjects in similar experiments. A new voice ominously announces the beginning of the next phase, leaving his fate uncertain as he grapples with the aftermath of the harrowing experience.

Outside Belko Industries

Characters

Explore all characters from The Belko Experiment (2017). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.


Mike Milch

Mike is a determined office worker who becomes a reluctant leader in the chaos that unfolds. His strong moral compass is tested as he tries to protect his colleagues against the brutal commands imposed upon them. Driven by a sense of responsibility, he showcases resilience and quick thinking in dire situations.

👨‍💼 Office Worker 💪 Resilient 🛡️ Protector

Barry Norris

Barry is an ambitious executive whose thirst for power and control leads him down a dark path. Initially part of the group resisting the violence, he ultimately succumbs to the primal urge for survival, resorting to brutality as the game escalates. His character embodies the transformation from a corporate employee to a ruthless antagonist.

💼 Executive 🔫 Ruthless 😈 Antagonist

Leandra Florez

Leandra is Mike's girlfriend, who also fights for survival amidst the chaos. She embodies courage and resourcefulness, often utilizing her wits to navigate the deadly environment. As a character, she represents the struggle for hope and connection in a world that has devolved into violence.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Partner 🔦 Resourceful ❤️ Hope

Evan Smith

Evan serves as the head security guard who initially remains unaware of the sinister events unfolding. His character remains grounded until thrust into the madness, where he tries to uphold his duties, but ultimately faces tragic consequences. Evan symbolizes the fragility of safety in an unpredictable situation.

🔒 Security Guard 🕵️‍♂️ Unaware ⚠️ Tragic

Setting

Learn where and when The Belko Experiment (2017) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.


Time period

The movie takes place in contemporary times, where technological advancements allow for the implantation of tracking devices in employees. This setting highlights modern societal issues such as workplace safety, ethical treatment of individuals, and the psychological impacts of coercion in life-and-death scenarios.

Location

Belko Industries, Bogotá, Colombia

Belko Industries is a corporate office located in Bogotá, Colombia. Known for its modern architecture, the office space becomes the backdrop for a horrifying experiment that tests the limits of human survival. The atmosphere within the building, typically filled with the mundane tasks of office work, transforms into a chaotic battleground where trust and morality break down.

🏢 Workplace 🌎 Colombia

Themes

Discover the main themes in The Belko Experiment (2017). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.


🔪

Survival

The theme of survival is central to the narrative, where characters are forced to navigate a brutal situation that challenges their morality and instincts. The story delves into how desperation can lead individuals to make horrifying choices for self-preservation. As trust erodes among coworkers, the struggle for survival becomes a harrowing reflection on human nature.

⚖️

Moral Dilemmas

The film explores profound moral dilemmas faced by the characters who must decide between saving themselves or conserving human life. As the stakes escalate, employees wrestle with their ethical boundaries, blurring the line between right and wrong. This theme emphasizes the complexities of human behavior under extreme pressure.

👁️

Surveillance

Surveillance is a pervasive theme, as employees are monitored through implanted tracking devices, raising questions about privacy and autonomy. The notion of being watched transforms their office into a prison, showcasing how technology can be manipulated for control and experimentation. Ultimately, this theme critiques societal reliance on surveillance for safety.

The Belko Experiment Ending Explained

Unravel the ending of The Belko Experiment (2017) with our detailed explanation. Understand the final scenes, character fates, and unresolved questions.


The ending of The Belko Experiment reveals that the chaos we’ve seen is just a small part of a much larger and sinister plan. After Mike Milch (John Gallagher Jr.) kills his captors and escapes the deadly building, the final shot shows him outside, still being watched through a CCTV camera. As the camera zooms out, it uncovers a vast network of surveillance screens monitoring survivors from multiple Belko locations around the world. An ominous voice then announces that it’s time for “Stage 2,” indicating that the experiment isn’t over, but only just beginning on a much larger scale. This twist suggests that the entire event was part of a grand, ongoing sociological experiment conducted by a secret organization of elite social scientists and strategists. The experiment appears to be a brutal study on human behavior under extreme pressure, but it’s also a way for these masterminds to identify the most capable individuals for their sinister purposes.

By revealing that other Belko sites are also still active under surveillance, the film hints that the women and men who survived are now part of a new stage in this terrifying game. The fact that Mike survives and is still monitored implies that he has been selected as a potential participant in higher-stakes experiments — perhaps even as a candidate for playing a role in whatever plans the organization has next. The ending leaves viewers with the unsettling thought that the horrific violence was merely a filter, a way to weed out the participants most adept at killing and surviving in extreme conditions. It’s a chilling commentary on the dehumanizing nature of unchecked corporate power, globalized greed, and the dark experiments that could be running behind the facades of seemingly ordinary organizations, all culminating in the ominous possibility of a widespread, perhaps even relentless, global sociological event. The conclusion also sets up potential for a sequel or wider storyline, where survivors might have to confront or manipulate this shadowy organization in future installments. Ultimately, the ending emphasizes that the experiment is far from over and that the game of human testing on a monstrous scale is just beginning.

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