The Vault (2011–2014) User Reviews

A TV network decides to put all its money into a single reality show

[MangoNine · 7/10 · 13 March 2016]

I really enjoyed this series. I liked all the "what's going on?" and "what does it mean?" stuff you'd get from Lost. I see the current review favorably compares this to Lost. I'm not an aspiring filmmaker and I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I think this series suffered the same drawbacks.

I was really intrigued by the different rooms and what they contained, but, It's basically meaningless once you learn it's about the people and not what the room contains. Just like Lost, I was hyped about the mystery, especially in episode 12, when you learn about the red team.

I knew there were only 16 episodes (not including the extra mini-episodes) and around episode 14 I knew what was happening. Just like Lost, they wrote themselves in a corner and I felt like it was a cop-out. So, the world, or at least their area, is destroyed from a nuke(?). No one was watching, the blue team's triumph and Henry's journey seems pointless. Nothing was really important about the planned show, other than a slightly edgier than normal reality show. Nothing sinister intended.

It tries to cover up the plot holes and rushed ending with metaphors and cliffhangers, but the last couple episodes left a bad taste in my mouth. I was intrigued, moderately entertained, wanted to learn more, really entertained, then disappointed. It's still the best web-series I've seen to date. Just like Lost (I know, I know), I won't throw the baby out with the bath water. Good job, creators.

Circle is a huge step up in every way

[JurijFedorov · 6/10 · 7 May 2023]

The one cheap movie they got to do because they made the show is really good and a perfect illustration of this Vault concept. This free YouTube mini series is just about good enough. But it clearly reveals a lack of focus and some inexperience with storytelling. Everything is for example a mystery box and nothing is ever fully told of explored. They throw a billion ideas at the wall thinking the mystery box concept will keep people watching. It does indeed, but when you have not planned out an ending and just invent one at the end after everything is already filmed it reveals some laziness and lack of story understanding. Which is always a shame in such TV shows. They clearly know how to create proper drama and just need to hire in a writer who understands story structure.

The last episode is by far the worst one. Instead of the clever fast paced concept we focus on a slow moody talk about moral values between 2 people and it lasts 20 minutes. Not sure why the filmmakers would lose their focus this way and drop the ball this badly. I think when you get too much self-confidence and power in Hollywood it can lead to this sort of thing where you don't correct you bad ideas and just film whatever you initially think up which is maybe why they haven't been active since making the amazing Circle. They may have lost this hunger for improvement.

It's free so worth a watch if you have time. But without a clear ending and story you may feel it was a bit pointless. And at any rate Circle takes this idea and does it properly with top acting and much more clever and faster plot. This is a cheap college student TV show with random people as actors.

A brilliant escape room series. Do not miss it!

[tetraslash · 9/10 · 21 September 2021]

An underrecognized indie gem, this webseries encapsulates the best of truly thought-provoking escape room scenarios.

If this series were an actual movie instead of an indie release on YouTube, I'm sure it would've pioneered and even raised the bar for these kinds of mind game movies.

For those interested, this series is complete and available free to watch on the official YouTube channel, VaultShow. It is a must-watch for any fans of the genre.

An amazing Web-Series, possibly the best.

[janbantic · 10/10 · 13 July 2013]

The Vault is a 'Reality Show' by a dying network trying to save themselves. They stick 150 college students in 'The Vault'. Each get their own room and have a number of specific objects inside. They have to 'solve' their room in a week. If they do, they win and get a hefty amount of money.

The first season is paced perfectly. The plot is intriguing and the characters all have depth. Each room is relevant and just when you think you have the answer, just when the whole things seems clear as day, a curve ball hits. What seem to be big questions often turn out to be minor.

At one point, you get scared that the show is about to get formulaic, the biggest twist of the season happens- Episode 12.

For any aspiring filmmaker or future web series creator, this is a show to reference and also enjoy. It is much more interesting than it's inspiration, LOST.