Review of Wolf Creek (2005) by Tiff C — 17 Aug 2009

A very gutsy and unnerving debut film from director Greg McLean, Wolf Creek is a very confronting and frightening Australian horror film, and one of the best Australian films I've seen yet.

Loosely based on the cases of both Bradley Murdoch and Ivan Milat, Wolf Creek tells the story of English travellers Kirsty and Liz, and their Australian friend Ben as they travel to the remote Wolf Creek Crater. Upon exploration of the crater, they return to their car to find it unable to start. A few hours later, the enignmatic bogan Mick stops and agrees to tow their car to his house while he fixes it. However, despite him initial appearance as only an eccentric bush-man, Mick turns out to be a psychopath who tortures all, and ultimately kills some of the naive young tourists.

Unlike many other modern horror films, Wolf Creek is well-paced, and uses suspense and anticipation, as well as gore. This helps set it above the usual standards, and makes it a lot more unpredictable also. The characters are portrayed nicely, and John Jaratt is a stand-out as the psychopath Mick. The Austalian outback is a great setting for this film, because it really helps emphasise the hunter and the prey theme that Wolf Creek uses.

It is also very gory however, and is definitely not for everyone. Those who hate horror movies, or being scared, do not watch this film. You will not like it. But for horror movie fans and for those who are just in the mood to be frightened, this is a great film which proves Australian cinema is not dead.