Director: Greg Mclean
Writer: Greg Mclean (Screenplay)
Starring: John Jarratt, Cassandra Magrath, Kestie Morassi, Nathan Phillips
Plot: Stranded backpackers in remote Australia fall prey to a murderous bushman who offers to fix their car, then takes them captive.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Australian Shocker
Story: Wolf Creek starts by giving us the figures of missing people in Australia and that 10% are never heard from again. We are in the year 1999 and we meet Ben Mitchell (Phillips) along two friends Liz (Magrath) and Kristy (Morassi) travelling around Australia partying and just having fun. After a wild night or partying the three head off to a location called Wolf Creek, cue the montage of travelling across the beautiful Australia outback with a feel good song.
As the journey continues we get the teasing will they won’t romance between Ben and Kristy as they finally make it to Wolf Creek. The three spend the day at Wolf Creek one of the most picture perfect sites in Australia, but returning to the car they find it broken down. Having to spend the night in the outbreak they get a visit during the night from Mick Taylor (Jarratt) who offers to help them get back on the road. Mick takes the friends back to his place which ends up being over hours away where he continues to be the welcoming guest.
Waking up the we find Kristy tired up in a shed alone, she searches for the rest of the friends on the site only to hear Liz screaming and being tortured by Mick. The girls find themselves fighting for their lives against the outback serial killer.
Wolf Creek tell a very simple but Shockley true potential story. The idea is thrown to us as based on a true story but the reality is that it isn’t, the only truth in this story is that people do go missing in the outback and some never get heard from again. We do get a long build just meeting the three friends and we do get a nice steady paced final half that shows what is going on when Mick gets his hands on his latest victims. I do think this story is easy enough to follow and will be enjoyed by the horror fans out there. (7/10)
Actor Review
John Jarratt: Mick Taylor starting out as a friendly passer-by he slowly turns out to be a serial killer who picks people up from the outback to be his latest victims. Mick is deadly and knows the outback like the back of his hand. John does a good job as the villain that will shock with his calmness while committing the action he does. (7/10)
Cassandra Magrath: Liz Hunter the best friend of Kristy who ends up becoming the third wheel on the adventure and having to put up the longest fight against Mick. Cassandra does a solid job in the supporting victim role. (6/10)
Kestie Morassi: Kristy Earl the smartest of the three who tries to work out an idea to survive once she finds herself trapped with Mick, she does plan the best but only ends up getting herself caught up in the chase. Kestie does a good job as the smart victim. (7/10)
Nathan Phillips: Ben Mitchell the lone man of the three who is enjoying the party lifestyle as well as the travelling but also becomes a victim of one of the games that Mick wants to play. Nathan does a solid job but because of the script he almost disappears in the final act. (5/10)
Support Cast: Wolf Creek doesn’t really have any major supporting characters and anyone we meet is only in one scene.
Director Review: Greg Mclean – Greg does a good job directing this putting us in a situation with a real shock with the action and potential that could really happen. (7/10)
Horror: Wolf Creek ends up putting our characters in a real horrific position. (9/10)
Thriller: Wolf Creek does start slowly but once we meet Mick we really start to get the will they won’t they survive idea. (6/10)
Settings: Wolf Creek gives the characters a real sense of isolation once Mick takes them to his place. (9/10)
Suggestion: Wolf Creek is one for all the horror fans to enjoy, but if you don’t like horror I wouldn’t suggest watching. (Horror Fans Watch)
Best Part: Sniper time.
Worst Part: Slow starting.
Oh My God Moment: Spine Cracking.
Believability: The going missing could happen but the serial killer less so. (5/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: Has one sequel.
Post Credits Scene: No
Awards: Won 3 and Nominated for a further 24 Awards through Horror and Australia.
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $28 Million
Budget: $1 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 39 Minutes
Tagline: How can you be found when no-one knows you’re missing?
Trivia: A very eerie coincidence occurred for the second unit crew sent out to get footage of the Wolf Creek Crater. Since the location was many hours from any town the small crew decided to camp out in their car at the site after shooting. During the night a mysterious stranger showed up in a truck to investigate. The stranger indeed looked very much like the character of Mick Taylor, right down to the rustic truck. The stranger left, but the crew was so spooked that they drove an hour down the road before finally stopping to camp for the night.
Overall: Wolf Creek is one of the best shock horror films in recent years and if you can get through the slow start you will be rewarded.
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