Film Review: Wolf Creek

Let me begin by saying that Wolf Creek is by far the most 'authentic' and terrifying film to have come out from the horror genre for the past many many years.

this review may contain spoilers

Thanks to FilmFour who decided to broadcast a genuinely original film last night. A film that has been both praised and derided by the press due to its rather horrific nature. This is a road trip film, a film genre which I don't usually care for as far as the horror genre is concerned. You know, a bunch of kids on a road trip and suddenly they start dying.

But this is where the filmmakers really hit it off when they immediately threw out the horror rule book. The film started slowly and almost romantically. No introductory murders were shown (I can hear the collective gasps of many so called horror fans who defined their horror experience based on Scream). It was just two British backpackers (who I thought were Aussies due to their accent - although one of them is rather cute and looks awfully like Keira Knightley) and an Aussie bloke planning a visit to Wolfe Creek, a meteorite crater. Three victims. That is all.

For the next 40 minutes nothing much happened except for the filmmakers and cast to allow for character building, something other filmmakers of other horror films (and generally most non-horror films too) don't usually pay much attention too. They arrived at Wolfe Creek and when they wanted to leave they found their car busted. And then a 'samaritan' by the name of Mick arrived.

The violence wasn't gory and grisly. It was sophisticated and 'realistic' which was what I like in any decent horror flick. Any torture scene weren't overdone and weren't truly in your face. It had psychological value. There were no extreme close up to trick the audiences. Everything was done subtly (even the humour) and felt genuine. And unlike American slasher flicks, the victims here were likeable. Plus I enjoy the fact that the filmmakers has decided to leave the ending hanging loose, a truly opposite to American slasher films whose main audiences prefer 'closure' (only usually for the killer to return in the next installment).

For once I was glad to have stayed up late and watch an old school psychological horror flick that isn't some generic American slasher (Friday the 13th, Halloween, Saw) or containing psychotic Japanese spirits.

Technorati tags: Wolf Creek Australia Horror FilmFour