Loop Track

Loop Track (2023) I'm ashamed with myself that I did not catch a screening of this. It's a brand new New Zealand Horror movie and I somehow didn't get around to seeing it big. I had assumed it would be a horror comedy and not just because the writer / director / star Tom Sainsbury is a very funny kiwi comedian. I assumed that because we tend to do horror comedy very well here in New Zealand. Loop Track surprised me by being a very straight forward Survival horror (and a little bit of a different subgenre that I wont divulge because it's a spoiler) that more or less takes itself completely seriously. It's really tense, well shot, written, directed and well, you should really just see it for yourself.

4 pairs of hiking socks out of 5.

I started this film with very few expectations. However I was absolutely hooked to it.

It's fairly subtle and you have to keep your attention to really get engrossed in the paranoia of the loner of the story, You can feel his dread throughout, his shyness, his not wanting to engage with others, who somehow seem oblivious to his needs.

Soon you are engrossed in the movement of the characters and his paranoia. What are these people's intentions? Who can you trust? Is our main character in his right mind - or is it everyone else who is out of sorts?

I really loved going along with this and got very invested quite quickly. It's pretty great, and takes a bit of a turn towards the end which was not expected.

Great film.

An absolute amazing accomplishment done with very little money, lesser known actors, in New Zeeland!

Once I saw Carnifex 2022, I kinda knew that this was the standards for Australian horror movies. After Razorback, Rogue and Carnifex, the difference was made by budget alone.

Here comes Loop Track, with its own tone, characters, making you guess all around, great shifts, amazing surroundings, simply put, what a rush!

A rush that starts as evasive and slow as possible, only to build momentum and then let it all out.

I couldn't possibly recommend it more, because it's just such a fun experience, somehow feel good, satisfaying view.

I do not think you can go wrong with this one. It simply is a must.

I'm not going to say anything else because I fear I'm going to spoil it. And I really wanna stay away from giving away any information.

Take it. Grab some snacks. A cold beer because this movie will make you feel the heat from the bush. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Cheers!

Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not after you.

The adage from Joseph Heller's classic novel, Catch 22, certainly reigns true in the case of the story told in this Kiwi film from Thomas Sainsbury.

As we watch down on his luck loser, Ian, tramp through the woods, in a search for solitude.

Only to find himself linking up with a group of other hikers, who are on their way to visit the Kauri Forest.

Before paranoia turns to reality...and things take a dark turn, that leaves them fighting for their lives.

The whole thing has Ben Wheatley vibes (think, like Sightseers, or Kill List)...as it's a slow burning, darkly comic, adventure, with an explosive ending that does not disappoint.

But it's also particularly Kiwi, in the sense that it's a regionally influenced folk horror, of sorts.

For the most part...what is going on is a mystery.

However, Sainsbury manages to keep you engaged with comic interactions between the members of the group.

So, even though it's a slow burner...he never really loses you.

And fully rewards those who stick through it to the end.

Though, I don't want to give too much away and ruin it for you...

But I really enjoyed this!

So give it a shot, and see it through.

Because once the end rolls around.

I can't see you being disappointed.

I certainly wasn't.

6 out of 10.

This is a good low budget horror film that demonstrates one of my theories on the genre, that the most difficult thing is often the ending.

It's a 90 minute film, and for 70 minutes it builds tension on a typical New Zealand four or five day bush tramp, or trek. Middle aged city dweller, Ian, the protagonist, starts as a solo hiker, determined to remain so, inexperienced, unfit and with some shady immediate past that he is uncomfortable about. He seems to have undertaken the challenge to reset his mental state.

The other characters are just as well acted, hikers who are on the same route as him; Nicky, with all the gear, says he is very experienced but seems to talk the talk but makes basic errors, drinking river water as an example. Also, Austin and Danielle, a Namibian and an Australian on their honeymoon.

For anyone who has experienced the huts and trails of New Zealand, or who would be keen to, this is highly watchable, filmed with a wonderful backdrop of the native bush and capturing the nightly hit scene very well.

Thomas Sainsbury plays the part of Ian, as well as writing and directing. He does everything well, though that last twenty minutes.. I can imagine he toyed with a few different endings. I won't spoil of course, suffice to say I couldn't have possibly guessed the turn it would take.

Throughout the hike, Ian thinks someone is following them. He sees vague outlines in the trees, but the others convince him it is his own paranoia.

I didn't like the ending, but admire Sainsbury for being bold enough to carry it through. It's got to end somehow.. but the first 70 minutes was tremendous.