Movie Description
IN THEATERS DECEMBER 25, 2005
A trio of friends goes on a road trip in Australia's outback and run into trouble with knife-wielding, slash-happy locals.
WOLF CREEK is a grim and disturbing horror film, based on actual events in the TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE vein. It's also beautifully shot, with director Greg McLean (in his feature film debut) making the otherworldly majesty of Australia's outback emerge as a part of the story. Cassandra Magrath and Kesti Morassi play the two young British girls traveling with their Aussie friend, Ben (Nathan Phillips), to Wolf Creek, the remote location of a giant meteor crater. When their car breaks down, a jovial, Crocodile Dundee-type named John Jarrett (Mick Taylor) offers to tow them to his even more remote auto camp. What happens next ensures, among other things, that surviving audience members will never think of Crocodile Dundee in quite the same happy way again.
In addition to McLean's painterly use of scenery in establishing mood, the film benefits from the slow, methodical buildup of character detail; the actors are given space to develop a believable rapport, something all too rare in this kind of film. The characters are people, not stock slasher-film types, and this makes the ensuing scenes of cruelty and violence all the more unbearable. Some viewers may find it all too excessive and disturbing, but there should be no doubt that this is one carefully crafted, genuinely scary horror film, and a promising start for a fresh new filmmaking talent.
| Credits | | Producer: | Greg McLean | | Cast: | Cassandra Magrath |
Editorial Reviews
"Individual sequences are handled with great flair."
Sight and Sound - Geoffrey Macnab (11/01/2005)
Ranked #26 in Uncut's Best Films Of 2005 -- "McLean pushes his cast -- and audience -- to the limit, creating a remarkably dark and sadistic piece, made with terrific skill and realism."
Uncut - Uncut Staff (01/01/2005)
"[A]n unusually crisp and boldly shot TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE knockoff." -- Grade: B-
Entertainment Weekly - Owen Gleiberman (01/13/2006)
"The soundtrack fits the movie nicely, and will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the presentation."
Widescreen Review - Widescreen Review Staff (06/01/2006)
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