The Overlook: The Loved Ones

(imdb.com)

In horror, subtly can do a lot to add to a film's tension and atmosphere. On the flip side, visual gut punches can make for one hell of a romp. Typically, Australian horror goes for the ladder. Movies like the cult classic, Wolf Creek, and this year's Killing Ground, offer plenty of no-holds barred violence and vivid imagery. Another Australian horror film that shouldn't be missed is 2009's The Loved Ones.

Written and directed by Sean Byrne (The Devil's Candy), The Loved Ones follows a teenager kidnapped by a crazy father-daughter duo after he denies the daughter's offer to attend a school dance together. As per the case with most horror movies of similar premises, the eventual escape attempts, saves and murders are gory bloodbaths of seismic proportions. The film stars Xavier Samuel (September) as the lead, Brent Mitchell whose father recently passed, Robin McLeavy (48 Shades) as crazed Lola, and John Brumpton (Storm Warning) as her father.


Each of the cast members - even supporting ones - are impressively cohesive throughout. They fully commit to their roles and all the ridiculous, over-the-top scenes that follow. Byrne's craft is equally strong. Showcasing a very visible style and direction specific to him, Byrne is anything but typical. This aspect is most visible in a clear passion for heavy metal characters and score. Both in The Loved Ones and the recently released IFC Midnight-distributed The Devil's Candy feature plenty metal music. His films are similarly styled featuring vigorous attacks and unblinking scenes.


Is The Loved Ones scary? Maybe if you're currently enrolled in high school with some people who could possibly be crazed stalkers. Otherwise though, The Loved Ones is much more an insane joyride of gruesome and strange fun. There is plenty to appreciate throughout this movie. From the weird zombie-like people who are suggested to be devolved former victims to the unsettling trashiness of Lola, The Loved Ones would never fit in to the horror mainstream, but it also would never want to.


The Loved Ones is best seen with a sense of levity. Not to be taken so seriously, this dark and troubling film injects enough humor into its core scariness to transcend the horror genre. For Byrne's first film ever, it's definitely an impressive feat. Its quality is high above that of most low budget horror films and is certainly worth finding on Hulu.