Review of Wolf Creek (2005) by Marianna P — 17 Sep 2011
It's easy to dismiss Wolf Creek as just another exploitation flick, but when actually analyzed, there's little nudity and really not much outright gore in it. Sure, you see the aftermath of atrocities already committed, but for the most part Director Greg McLean doesn't revel in showing us the bloodshed on screen.
Yet it is a truly horrific film and leaves some very disturbing scenes uncomfortably etched in the viewer's mind long after the film's over. What is it really about then? It's a cautionary tale which can easily be dismissed as misogynistic pleasure.
Don't get me wrong, psychopath Mick Taylor is a misogynist, but we get no pleasure out of seeing him hunt and torture. What sends the horror over the edge here is the film's believability. The characters are smart and well cast, and McLean takes his time in letting us get to know and like them.
Australia's stunning outback becomes a character in itself thanks to Will Gibson's cinematography which not only captures its beauty but also its isolation. If there's a category for 'slasher art films' then Wolf Creek should be on it.
Recommended.
This review of Wolf Creek (2005) was written by Marianna P on 17 Sep 2011.
Wolf Creek has generally received mixed reviews.
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