Directed by Sean Byrne
‘Am I not pretty enough?’ To think that I actually felt sorry for Lola (Robin McLeavy) when Brent (Xavier Samuel from Twilight Eclipse) said that he couldn’t go to the school dance with her. Then her Daddy (John Brampton) kidnaps Brent to give him a night he’ll never forget. Daddy’s little Princess gets what she wants, and even if that means using horrific amounts of violence. Sean Byrne, who comes from darkest Tasmania and was fed a diet of horror movies from an early age, has created a memorable horror film. There’s not a vampire, demon or zombie in sight as a deadly cat and mouse game is played out in a dining room.
‘Is my heart too broken?’ Brent is a predominantly silent protagonist as he is tied to a chair and bleach has been injected into his vocal cords so he can’t talk. Although he had been depressed and even suicidal after his father’s death in the car he was driving, Brent defiantly fights his oppressors. Just when you think things can’t get any worse … they do. I can’t believe this film is only rated MA. Light relief comes in the form of Brent’s friend Jamie (Richard Wilson) who has scored a date to the dance with the sexy Goth Mia (Jess McNamee from Packed to the Rafters), but they spend most of the time in his car drinking and smoking weed.
‘Why do you see right through me?’ There are a lot of sick individuals out there. Try to avoid watching any trailers for this film. That’s the best way to let the excruciating horror reveal the twists and painful turns as it careers towards the blood-covered climax. And the best thing is that you can then laugh yourself stupid with relief as you leave the cinema.
Lezly Herbert
