Netflix has released its interactive film in collaboration with WWE, Escape The Undertaker. Viewers have the option of following many paths, and although there isn’t a definitive “good” ending, the goal is to stay alive long enough to help The New Day escape Taker’s mansion of horrors. If you do happen to make a choice that results in the opposite, it automatically redirects to have you pick another choice.
With just a little over 30 minutes to the film, you don’t have to be a fan of WWE or wrestling to participate. Although, there are small nods to The Undertaker’s lore (including a nice package of Paul Bearer footage). Escape The Undertaker is a gimmick film through and through.
Let’s address the elephant in the room — this is likely something long-time wrestling fans will roll their eyes at. After all, most people wouldn’t expect The Undertaker to ever participate in something of this nature. But it’s not like it’s the worst play on one of his gimmicks we’ve ever seen. It’s understandable that one of the best parts about the character is that he’s mostly remained a mystery for decades so fans would likely want that to continue to preserve his powerful mystique. I’m guilty of this myself. When the project was announced, as much as I love Big E, Kofi, and Xavier, I wondered if this was the right call to make. Personally, I was left satisfied and there was no harm done.
On the other hand, it’s a nice change of pace for The New Day, one of WWE’s best modern day tag teams that have cemented themselves as future Hall of Famers. They carry most of the load (I mean, they are the ones trying to escape here). The silly and fun nature of the tag team is part of what has charted them to incredible heights of popularity over the years and it carries right on over to the small screen. They make their way through booby traps, creepy fog, and the final boss himself, The Undertaker, to get ahold of his urn and destroy it.
In my opinion, this is definitely more well suited for the younger crowd of fans but there’s no harm in finding out if you have what it takes to make it to the end. It almost leaves me wanting more interactions between the two. Prior to Taker’s retirement, it definitely would have been an interesting final run, to say the least.
If you do so happen to make it to the end, be prepared to be greeted by a clapping Undertaker that congratulates you for narrowly escaping as he tips his hat off to you. All in all, Escape the Undertaker is as cheesy as it is gratifying. Will you make it out of The Undertaker’s lair alive?
Escape The Undertaker is available to stream on Netflix now.
