I have to be honest, my first impressions of the trailer were not good. I actually thought that it was going to be some sort of werewolf film, I guess I was wrong. More than that, it looked like it was going to be another standard horror film. Throw on the "based on true events" tag, and we're off to the races. Then the second advertising wave hit. This wave brought with it a better look at the washed out intense look, as well as positive clips from the likes of Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. Well, looking for a new horror film, off I went to the theater like the dutiful genre fan that I am. My experience was a mixed bag.
Wolf Creek is based on true events. Primarily Ivan Milat, who was convicted of 7 murders between 1989 and 1992. I read a little bit about him, and believe me, he is not a pleasant man, not the kind of guy to invite along on your camping trip! It seems that he was not the only inspiration, as there have been, and may still be, a number of these so-called "backpack killers" in the Aussie Outback.
The movie opens slowly as we are introduced to our heroic trio of Outback tourists. We don't learn much about them, but we do watch as they pack their stuff and start visiting various parks in the Outback as they travel through the emptiness. It takes a good 40 minutes before we really get anywhere, and I think this is the biggest problem with the movie.
The three twenty-somethings make pointless conversation in an attempt to display depth. Sadly, this leads nowhere in terms of the characters, but it is not a complete loss. Despite giving us characters to care about, it does build a tense atmosphere. We all know that something is going to happen, but no one knows what or when, and the build is effective even if the character development is not. Despite their lack of initial development, the two women do a very good job at playing their terror filled alter-personalities. They were very convincing with their screaming and running, very good.
As we near the halfway point, the trio have reached Wolf Creek and the tension is really starting to build. Car trouble and the arrival of friendly, yet mysterious, stranger brings with it a near unbearable amount of dread. The moment we have all been waiting for was drawing near.
From the moment the stranger arrives, through to the climax is some of the most tense cinema you'll see this year. Served up on the screen are chases, torture, dismemberment, and a healthy dose of twisted psycho.
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