P2 — * — Rachel Nichols, Wes Bentley; rated R (violence, gore, profanity, brief drugs, brief sex, vulgarity)

Technically, "P2" might not belong to the so-called "torture-porn" genre, but it's close.

Though the filmmakers probably believe it becomes some sort of female-empowerment vehicle in the end, it's really just another thriller that relishes in the victimization of women.

The movie is so graphic and bloody that it becomes an endurance test for anyone who has even a shred of good taste.

The film's title refers to a level in a parking garage at a New York City office building, where Angela Bridges (Rachel Nichols) is working late on Christmas Eve, though she is hoping to get to a family party in New Jersey.

Unfortunately, her car's engine won't turn over, and even a seemingly helpful security guard, Thomas (Wes Bentley), can't get it jump-started.

As the night wears on, it becomes clear Thomas's intentions toward Angela are sinister. After drugging her and knocking her out, he holds her captive.

Co-screenwriter/director Franck Khalfoun's tale grows increasingly ludicrous and turns into a gruesome cat-and-mouse game, as these two characters chase each other throughout various parking levels.

And like "High Tension" and "The Hills Have Eyes" filmmakers Alexandre Aja and Gregory Levasseur, who produced this movie, Khalfoun can't resist upping the gore quotient.

Also, judging by his filmmaking debut, he's unable to direct performers. Nichols is awful, and it's sad to see the once-promising Bentley (who impressed in "American Beauty") slumming once again.

As the unhinged kidnapper, he's so over-the-top that it appears he's trying to win some sort of bad-movie award.

"P2" is rated R for strong violence (a beating, stabbings, an animal attack, vehicular and explosive mayhem, and violence against women), graphic blood and gore, strong sexual language (including profanity, vulgar slang terms and other suggestive talk), brief drug content (chloroform), and brief sexual contact and a sexual assault. Running time: 98 minutes.

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com