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While you wait for third franchise installment Wolf Creek Legacy, being released by Cineverse and Bloody Disgusting in 2026, Australian label Imprint Films has announced that they’re bringing Greg McLean’s original outback nightmare Wolf Creek to limited edition 4K Uhd.

Twenty years ago, director Greg McLean introduced the horror world to Mick Taylor, a terrifying outback serial killer who shot, cut and stabbed his way to horror icon status in the original Australian horror movie Wolf Creek. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Imprint Films are bringing Wolf Creek to the Imprint collection with the Unrated Cut on 4K Uhd with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, plus both the Unrated and Theatrical cuts on Blu-ray.

Only 1,500 copies are available, and they’re up for pre-order now. The limited edition Hardbox release is scheduled to begin shipping out to customers on September 24, 2025.

Here’s the full release breakdown:

Disc One: 4K...

The wickedness is calling you–for free. When you sleep tonight, your thirst for sinister, sadistic, and supernatural will be quenched. Fawesome offers binge-worthy horror movies that hold no boundaries, from brutal slashers to chilling supernatural scares. These five most searched scary picks will knot your heart and soul together, whether you are a horror purist or a thrill-seeker, this list of darkness has something for everyone.

So if you wish to be awakened by the lurking darkness, stream these nightmares free on Fawesome. You don’t even need to sign up; explore the haunting corners of horror cinema without hitting a pause on your wallet. Scream, squirm, and sleep with the lights on. These are more than movies, they’re passages for the horror-obsessed.

Here are five ways to feed your fear, awaken your soul, and dive into the horror world– now streaming free on Fawesome.

The Haunting in...

In 2005, Greg McLean’s bleak horror film Wolf Creek made waves with its unflinching savagery and disturbing violence. The story follows friends Liz (Cassandra Magrath), Kristy (Kestie Morassi) and Ben (Nathan Phillips) as they backpack across the Australian outback. But when car trouble leaves them stranded near the titular landmark, the friends get surprising help from a local man named Mick (John Jarratt). Unfortunately, this handy helper turns out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He drugs the trusting travelers then traps them on his hellish compound in order to amuse himself with unthinkable torture and sadistic violence.

Adding to the terror is the film’s opening claims that this horrific story was based on actual events. In fact, McLean was inspired by the real life crimes of Bradley Murdoch and Ivan Milat. Both men preyed on backpackers traversing Australia, using the outback’s dangerous isolation to aid in their atrocities.

The team behind horror hit Terrifier 3 will be reviving a horror classic. Production company Cineverse has confirmed a new entry in the Wolf Creek film series.

Australian horror hit Wolf Creek broke new ground when it was released in 2005, as it was shot on a micro-budget of just $1 million almost exclusively on high-definition video. Picnic at Hanging Rock and Dark Age's John Jarratt gave a terrifying performance as a serial killer hunting in the Aussie outback. Wolf Creek's box office success led to a 2013 sequel and a TV spinoff.

Wolf Creek Returns After 20 Years

'Wolf Creek' TV Series Looks Just as Creepy as You'd Imagine

The spinoff of Greg McLean's 2005 horror film will premiere in October on American television.

According to Variety, Cineverse is now moving forward with a third film titled Wolf Creek: Legacy, where John Jarratt will reprise his role as killer Mick Taylor.

It's been a long time since the world heard from Mick Taylor, the Australian serial killer at the heart of one of the most brutal horror franchises ever made: Wolf Creek. All that is about to change thanks to Cineverse and Bloody Disgusting, though, as the duo are set to revive the series with a new sequel in 2026 titled Wolf Creek: Legacy.

First announced last year, Variety is reporting that the same team behind Terrifier 2 and 3 have acquired the distribution rights to Wolf Creek: Legacy, and will release it to theaters in the fall of 2026. John Jarratt will return to reprise the role of Taylor, and director Greg McLean is taking on a behind-the-scenes role as a producer this time around, with Sean Lahiff running point as director. In a statement released by Lahiff, the newly minted director said the latest entry in the franchise "will be a...

Its been more than 10 years since John Jarratt walked off into the Australian outback in Wolf Creek 2 as serial killer Mick Taylor, but the deranged psychopath is getting ready for a big return in 2025 with the sequel Wolf Creek: Legacy. First released in 2005, Wolf Creek has gone on to be regarded as one of the best Australian horror films of all-time, and for elevating the sub-genre known as torture porn to new heights with its rich character development and stunning cinematography. Directed by Greg McLean, its 2013 sequel was met with equal praise, with The Sydney Morning Herald calling it at the time "the greatest Aussie flick ever made."

Per Deadline, McLean will return to produce Wolf Creek: Legacy which is set to once again feature Jarratt in the lead with directorial duties this time falling to Sean Lahiff, who served as editor on Wolf Creek 2, and the short-lived...

Australia's most prolific horror movie returns, as a new Wolf Creek sequel is in development. Inspired by real-life cases of backpackers losing their lives at the hands of sadistic killers, the 2005 feature saw three backpackers become the prey of Taylor and being subject to grisly torture. While its excessive, unrelenting violence left critics divided on whether it was exploitative or provocative, the Australian horror movie did earn back its budget and spark a wider franchise with a sequel and a TV series.

Nineteen years after audiences were first introduced to Mick Taylor, Deadline reports that a new Wolf Creek sequel is in development, with filming set to begin in 2025. Original star John Jarratt is set to return as the outback-based serial killer Mick Taylor. Creator Greg Mclean will act as producer and Wolf Creek 2 director Sean Lahiff will direct, while fellow horror alumni Jeremy Bolt and Kristian Moliere of...

Bloody Disgusting has teamed up with Lionsgate to release seven modern horror favorites on Blu-ray + Digital in limited edition SteelBook packaging, available exclusively at Walmart today.

The line includes Wolf Creek, Hannibal Rising, I Spit on Your Grave, You’re Next, Sinister, Texas Chainsaw, and Leatherface.

Priced at $22.96, each title features brand new artwork by Bond.

Wolf Creek is written and directed by Greg McLean. John Jarratt, Nathan Phillips, Cassandra Magrath, and Kestie Morassi star.

In the 2005 film, a trio of stranded backpackers in remote Australia fall prey to a psychopathic local, who takes them captive and tortures them.

Wolf Creek special features:

Unrated Cut of the Film Audio Commentary by Director Greg McLean, Executive Producer Matt Hearn, and Actors Cassandra Magrath and Kestie Morassi The Making Of Wolf Creek Deleted Scene Theatrical Trailer

Hannibal Rising is directed by Peter Webber and written by Thomas Harris, based on his own novel.

Stars: Kestie Morassi, Ian Rooney, Mark Jensen, Paul Moder, Paul Havea, Matt Norman, Carter Doyle, Stuart Orr, Scott Gooding, Barry Sparkles | Written and Directed by Cameron McCulloch

Originally shot in 2001, director Cameron McCulloch made Scam. The action-comedy film about a scam artist named Kim (Kestie Morassi), who plans to steal Aus$1million worth of jewellery, despite fierce competition from rival gangs (including her ex-boyfriend Ben), all to impress her mobster father (Ian Rooney).

Prior to its anticipated release, McCulloch’s efforts went up in smoke, literally, as most of the original footage was lost in a house fire… or so we thought. It seems McCulloch heeded the words of Knackers O’Conner,: “Did you, or did you not, say you we’re gonna do this job?!” Well, 20 years later, McCulloch did do his job and brought Scam to the world for its viewing pleasure.

Scam is very much a...

The episode of Wtf Really Happened to This Horror Movie covering Wolf Creek was Written and Narrated by Andrew Hatfield, Edited by Mike Conway, Produced by Lance Vlcek and John Fallon, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.

One of the biggest and some would say overused tropes in horror movies is the killer stalking people in an outdoor setting. The main series for this is, of course, the Friday the 13th series but we have nearly countless other examples to pull from. Sometimes, like today’s entry, or The Burning, these stories and movies can be based on true events and make it even more frightening. Unlike The Burning, which is based on an urban legend with the true story being far from fact, Wolf Creek (watch it Here) had an original script that was tweaked to be based on the real life killers Ivan Milat and Bradley John Murdoch...

Similar to France’s New Extremity, Australia experienced its own significant genre resurgence in the 2000s. Most agree the Land Down Under’s golden days of filmmaking began in the ’70s and then drew to a close around the late ‘80s. This period, better known as the Australian New Wave, soared to new heights after the government issued substantial support for the arts. After a steep decline in the ‘90s, though, homegrown horror made a slow but noticeable comeback in the early 21st century. And no other movie from that era is more responsible for bringing Australia back into the conversation than 2005’s bleak and stylish Wolf Creek.

It wouldn’t be a mid-2000s horror movie without the practically mandatory and hyperbolic “based on true events” promotion. In this case, though, Wolf Creek is indeed inspired by a ripped-from-the-headlines true crime. Several, in fact. Ivan Milat, who died in...

Stars: Taysha Farrugia, Kestie Morassi, Darcy Kent, Jennifer Vuletic, Jane Badler, Brett Cousins, Matthew Crosby, Ellie Stewart | Written by David Willing, Beth King | Directed by David Willing

Surrogate begins with Rose (Taysha Farrugia) celebrating her ninth birthday before going to bed. She asks her mother Natalie if they can check for monsters. Natalie tells her there are no such things, which of course means the girl has more to worry about than a jump scare from her Uncle Will.

As she’s leaving the now-closed clinic she has an encounter with a woman who seems to be mentally ill. She encounters the woman again when she stops for gas, this time having to try and save her after she drinks bleach. After this she suddenly develops symptoms that resemble a pregnancy, even waking up bloody from the waist down as though she had given birth, but there’s no baby to be found.

In the tradition of The Babadook Surrogate September 2 – Amazon SEPTEMBER16 – Tubi, Google TV Australian paranormal horror Surrogate, starring Kestie Morassi (Wolf Creek) and Jane Badler (TV’s ‘V’), comes to digital platforms this September. Written by Beth King and David Willing, in his feature directorial debut, Surrogate tells of Natalie Paxton (Morassi), a …

The post Surrogate – Highly-anticipated Australian Paranormal Horror | Kestie Morassi, Jane Badler appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.

Hello, everyone! While October might be officially considered “Spooky Season,” these days it feels like September is now when everything actually starts to ramp up towards the Halloween holiday, especially when you look at all the great horror coming to VOD and Digital platforms this month. So, if you’re looking to start indulging in a lot of great genre entertainment now that October 31st is right around the corner, then check out our rundown of all the great horror movies headed to VOD and a variety of digital platforms this September so that you can start planning accordingly.

Happy streaming!

The Harbinger (Screen Media Films) - September 1st

A family moves their troubled daughter to a small town, where people suspect she is responsible for a series of mysterious deaths. Fearing something evil followed them, the tormented parents must do whatever it takes to save their daughter.

Root Letter...

With September just days away, this week is a bit of a “quiet before the storm” sort of week, as a ton of new horror releases are coming hot and heavy in the next two months.

This week, however, is relatively quiet, but that doesn’t mean we’re not getting any new horror this week. In fact, we’re getting Five brand new horror movies in the coming days.

That includes a brand new original from the Bd-powered Screambox, not to mention the theatrical re-release of a horror classic…. in Three Dimensions for the first time.

Here’s all the new horror arriving August 30 – September 4, 2022!

First up, Bloody Disgusting is excited to debut the brand new Screambox Original PussyCake, a gore-fest from Argentina that’s now streaming exclusively on Screambox!

PussyCake is also available for 4.99 rental on VOD outlets today.

Described as Evil Dead meets Josie and the Pussycats,...

Several months ago, we shared the teaser trailer for the supernatural horror film Surrogate, which stars Kestie Morassi in her return to the horror genre, sixteen years after she crossed paths with serial killer Mick Taylor in Wolf Creek (watch it Here). When we shared that trailer, which is embedded above, a release date hadn’t yet been announced for Surrogate. But now we know when we’re going to have the chance to see the movie. Surrogate will be available to watch – transactional VOD – through Amazon as of September 2nd. Starting September 16th, it will also be available on Tubi and GoogleTV, courtesy of Indie Rights.

David Willing makes his feature directorial debut with Surrogate, working from a screenplay he wrote with Beth King. The film finds Morassi in the role of Natalie Paxton,

a single mother and nurse who is rushed to hospital after suffering massive internal bleeding.

‘Surrogate’ a paranormal horror starring Kestie Morassi (Wolf Creek) and Jane Badler (TV series ‘V’) is the frightening story of Natalie Paxton, a single mother and nurse, who falls mysteriously ill and struggles to stop her family from being destroyed. “I was looking to do another horror film but hadn’t found the right project until …

The post Wolf Creek Star Returns to Horror in New Australian Horror Film Trailer for Surrogate appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.

David Willing’s Surrogate follows Natalie Paxton (Kestie Morassi), a single mother and nurse who is rushed to hospital after suffering a mysterious illness. When vicious paranormal attacks follow, Natalie must fight to stop her family from being destroyed.

The cast also includes Jane Badler and Louise Siversen, as well as child actors Taysha Furragia as Morassi’s daughter, Ellie Stewart and Ellie Tevelis.

The film was written by Willing and Beth King, with the former also producing alongside Vikki Blinks and Alice Chaston. Konfir Kabo of Black Spade Productions is the executive producer.

Willing, who began writing the film with King in 2016, told If it was made with an eye to the Asian market.

“We’re both just huge horror fans and we like a lot of Asian ghost horror films,” he said.

“We had other projects that hadn’t made it to the end of the development process,...

In 2001, the world was introduced to the iPod and Australia had its first taste of digital television.

It’s fair to say the year left its mark in more ways than one, but for Cameron McCulloch, not everything went to plan.

At the time, the then film student was on the verge of completing his feature debut, Scam, starring Kestie Morassi, only for a large portion of the footage to be destroyed in a housefire at a crew member’s place.

Twenty years on and the film is set to have its world premiere at next month’s Monster Fest after being resurrected by cast member and editor Nathan Hill during the 2020 lockdown.

McCulloch, who wrote and then filmed the project on a MiniDV in 12 days for $5,000, said he was “in awe” that it was finally seeing the light of day.

“During lockdown last year, Nathan was prepping another feature...

It’s been more than 15 years since Kestie Morassi’s blood-strewn figure lay helpless on a deserted stretch of highway in one of the most enduring images from Wolf Creek.

She faces a more supernatural tormentor in her return to horror in David Willing’s directorial debut, The Surrogate, which has just wrapped filming in Melbourne.

Morassi plays Natalie Paxton, a single mother and nurse who is rushed to hospital after suffering massive internal bleeding.

When vicious paranormal attacks follow, Natalie must fight to stop her family from being destroyed.

The cast also includes Jane Badler and Louise Siverson, as well as child actors Taysha Furragia as Morassi’s daughter, Ellie Stewart and Ellie Tevalis.

David Willing on the set of ‘The Surrogate’. Photo: Andy Railton

Morassi is pleased to be back working in the genre that helped launch her career.

“I was looking to do another horror film but...

Whether it’s a prequel series to “Taken,” Starz’s TV take on Steven Soderbergh’s “The Girlfriend Experience,” HBO’s ever-promised “Westworld” TV remake or FX’s excellent on-going “Fargo” anthology series, to simply name a select few, TV is unquestionably where it’s at right now for Hollywood, with executives dusting off whatever properties they can find hoping they’ll find a second life on the smaller screen. (A subject we discussed in depth just a couple of weeks ago). So maybe it shouldn’t be too surprising to see the same thing happening over in the Lucky Country with Stan’s upcoming six-part “Wolf Creek” series. Based on the cult 2005 Australian horror film of the same name, the first unflinching, suspense-driven trailer is now making its rounds across the web. Where Greg McLean’s original film focused on three backpackers (Nathan Phillips, Cassandra Magrath, Kestie Morassi) who...

As the sequel hits cinemas, Luke Buckmaster remembers the first time we met Mick Taylor – the spirit of the outback gone very bad indeed

In the pre-title sequence to writer/director Greg McLean’s 2005 cult hit Wolf Creek, twentysomething partygoers busy themselves with the beach, beer and bikinis; swimming pools and shots. Bags are packed, hangovers nursed, a car is loaded and three principal characters – Sydneysider Ben Mitchell (Nathan Phillips) and British backpackers Liz Hunter (Cassandra Magrath) and Kristy Earl (Kestie Morassi) – begin their trek to the film’s eponymous location.

McLean follows the Hollywood horror playbook, focusing on a small group of good looking city slickers who take to the sticks and are targeted by a sadistic loner who makes them pay, big time, for the liver-busting tomfoolery they enjoyed in the prologue. A large part of the film’s success (it earned more than $30m internationally) is in...

Rank the week of October 18th’s Blu-ray and DVD new releases against the best films of all-time: New Releases Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

(Blu-ray & DVD | PG13 | 2011)

Flickchart Ranking: #1487

Win Percentage: 47%

Times Ranked: 8433

Top-20 Rankings: 50

Directed By: Rob Marshall

Starring: Johnny Depp • Penélope Cruz • Ian McShane • Kevin McNally • Geoffrey Rush

Genres: Action • Adventure • Costume Adventure • Fantasy • Sea Adventure • Swashbuckler

Rank This Movie

Bad Teacher

(Blu-ray & DVD | R | 2011)

Flickchart Ranking: #3281

Win Percentage: 42%

Times Ranked: 3361

Top-20 Rankings: 19

Directed By: Jake Kasdan

Starring: Cameron Diaz • Justin Timberlake • Jason Segel • Lucy Punch • Phyllis Smith

Genres: Comedy • Farce • Sex Comedy

Rank This Movie

Red State

(Blu-ray & DVD | Nr | 2011)

Flickchart Ranking: #2738

Win Percentage: 53%

Times Ranked: 1781

Top-20 Rankings: 12

Directed By: Kevin Smith

Starring: Michael Parks • John Goodman • Melissa Leo • Kevin Pollak • Michael Angarano

Genres: Drama • Horror • Religious Drama • Thriller

Rank This Movie

Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels Of A Tribe Called Quest

(Blu-ray & DVD...

Movies were destroyed and awards given to the destructors at the 12th annual Melbourne Underground Film Festival, which was held back on Aug. 19-28.

The Best Film of the fest, as chosen by jury head Jimmy the Exploder in in consultation with The Muff team, was the controversial A Serbian Film by Srdjan Spasojevic, which has been banned in some parts of the country, but now available on DVD in others.

Other big winners are: Larry Wessel who took home Best Director and Best Documentary for his epic 4-hour profile of cult figure Boyd Rice, Iconoclast (Watch the trailer.); Viva Bianca and Hanna Mangan Lawrence appropriately shared the Best Actress award for their starring roles in Jon Hewitt‘s X (Watch the trailer); and John V. Soto”s Needle took home numerous awards such as Best Actor (Michael Dorman), Best Cinematography (D.P. Stephen F. Windon), Best Poster (Horror Version) and the Special Jury Prize.

Birthday Trailer. James Harkness‘ Birthday (2011) movie trailer stars Natalie Eleftheriadis, Kestie Morassi, Richard Wilson, Travis McMahon, and Ra Chapman. Birthday‘s plot synopsis: “M (Natalie Eleftheriadis) is the highest paid professional of the many girls at Scarlet’s, but, even on her 25th birthday, it’s business as usual. M’s trade is sex, but sex doesn’t sell the way it used to; what client’s are searching for, paying for… is love. Instead of celebrating, her day is spent answering the silent prayers of Father Phillip (Travis McMahon), who has lost his faith and providing counsel to her colleagues, the vivacious Lily (Kestie Morassi) and troubled Cindy (Ra Chapman).

Amidst the many dramas that unfold and the demands of the ‘no- nonsense’ Scarlet (Chantal Contouri), M’s secret birthday wish goes unanswered. That is, until Joey (Richard Wilson) knocks on her door; a young man, forgotten by the world,...

PackScreen has launched the poster for the psychological drama Blame, designed by The Penguin Empire.

The poster was inspired by the work of graphic designer Saul Blass.

Blame will be released on June 16 – it was originally scheduled for a September 2010 release.

The film is Michael Henry’s directorial debut, entirely shot in Western Australia. The producers are Ryan Hodgson, Melissa Kelly and Michael Robinson. Blame stars Damian de Montemas, Sophie Lowe, Kestie Morassi, Simon Stone, Mark Leonard Winter and Ashley Zukerman.

The project was financed by ScreenWest, the Melbourne international Film Festival Premiere Fund, Screen Australia and private investment. The international sales agent is London-based High Point Films.

The psychological drama Blame has been scheduled for a June 16 cinema release in Australia through PackScreen.

The film premiered at last year’s Melbourne International Film Festival, followed by an internationa premiere at Toronto. It has also played in Chicago, and it’s set to screen in Argentina, Denmark, and the inaugural Australian Film Festival in India – an event organised by PackScreen director Peter Castaldi – this week.

Blame was originally scheduled for a September 2010 release. It is Michael Henry’s directorial debut, entirely shot in Western Australia. The producers are Ryan Hodgson, Melissa Kelly and Michael Robinson.

Blame stars Damian de Montemas, Sophie Lowe, Kestie Morassi, Simon Stone, Mark Leonard Winter and Ashley Zukerman.

We count down the worst characters on Australian TV.

From serial killers to crime lords based on real-life figures, these are some of the nastiest characters we have seen on Australian television.

10. Nat (Kestie Morassi) on Satisfaction

Sporting dark, fringed hair, mascara and red lipstick, Nat (Kestie Morassi) was the ball-busting, about-business madam of brothel 232. Incapable of having a normal relationship with her gigolo flame Sean (More >>...

The Australian psychological drama Blame opened to its first international audience at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday.

Filmed entirely in Western Australia, Blame features an ensemble cast including Underbelly’s Kestie Morassi and Damian de Montemas.

Blame is Michael Henry’s directorial debut. He said: ““It’s amazing to be screening my film at such a prestigious festival such as Toronto. Two of our three screenings have already sold out and the audience tonight was fantastic.”

There are not yet many reviews however the Hollywood Reporter wrote:

“Revenge is served cold-bloodedly in this small but well-crafted thriller from Down Under. A strong cast of up-and-comers helps first-time writer-director Michael Henry maintain tension as he carefully teases out the plot twists…”

And Twitch Film reported:

“Not really a bad film, Blame just never quite becomes what it could have been. It never quite reaches the heights that seem early...

The trailer for Michael Henry’s debut film has recently hit the net, and it is ready to ‘Blame’ us for all of its complications. Even though the trailer really isn’t full of complications, it is very suspenseful and looks like a quality Australian thriller.

The movie, as you may have guessed by now, is entitled Blame and is about a ground of friends that try to murder a man out of cold vengeance for something he may or may not have done. For what, we don’t really know, but if you look at him he does come off as a possibly creepy guy with a bad past. The movie stars Damian de Montemas, Ashley Zukerman, Kestie Morassi, Sophie Lowe, Mark Leonard Winter, and Simon Stone.

Thanks to Twitch, you can check out the synopsis and trailer below.

Seeking justice and revenge, five friends violently attack a man in his remote country house.

Another film having its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival later this month is Blame, the debut feature of writer/director Michael Henry -- and based on this compelling trailer it's now at the top of my must-see list! 

Here's the lowdown... 

Seeking justice and revenge, five friends violently attack a man in his remote country house. Their plan: the perfect murder. Confident that their victim's death by his own hand will not be questioned, they overdose him on sleeping pills, but it all goes horribly wrong when their attempt fails and their victim fights for his life. 

In the aftermath, questions are raised about the true nature of the events leading up to the botched attack. As lies and secrets are revealed, the dynamic of the once-tight group shifts as the friends begin to question each other's motives. As they move closer to the truth, the weight...

An enthusiastic buzz is expected to rampage the streets of Sydney's south-eastern suburbs, Randwick, Coogee and Clovelly Beach between 24 February and 7 March, when the Australian Film Festival hits off for the first time.   With 11 days of indoor and outdoor screenings of pure Australian content - including the screening of J Harkness' psychological thriller, Birthday starring Kestie Morassi (pictured), Richard Wilson, Richard Wilson, Travis McMahon, Chantal Contouri and Natalie Eleftheriadis - plus, marquee events and Popcorn Taxi Q&As, the festival is being touted as the country's most comprehensive presentation of Australian film content.   Emerging from the 2009 Australian Film Week, the Australian Film Festival "is a new concept for film festivals, which will be taking a modern and global view of what film is," says festival director Barry Watterson.

While some don't believe wishes come true, they certainly are for writer and director J. Harkness (Shot Of Love) as his latest film, Birthday, has been Officially Selected In Competition for the Anchorage International Film Festival, and will be releasing in Australia in 2010.   J. Harkness' first wish was to adapt his stage play, Birthday, into an independent feature film. This wish came true when he found financial backing, a passionate and impressive cast, and the support of the sex industry, in which the film is set. All were inspired by Birthday's story of human intimacy and love within the conflicting and compelling world of sex workers, and the film was filmed in Harkness' home town of Adelaide in 2008, with a cast that includes Kestie Morassi (Wolf Creek), Richard Wilson (Clubland), Travis McMahon (Kokoda), Chantal Contouri and newcomer and co-producer Natalie Eleftheriadis in the lead role.

PARK CITY -- Wolf Creek could be the scariest film at Sundance this year--and the bloodiest. An auspicious debut from first time Aussie writer/director Greg McLean, film combines the style of cheesy horror films and the flair of classic thrillers. Picked up by Dimension before the start of the fest, pic should turn into a major genre hit for the distrib, with even some crossover from the film savvy indie crowd.

Based on two unsolved crimes in the Outback, Wolf Creek turns the image of the heroic Bushman like Crocodile Dundee on its ear and creates a staggeringly evil Australian boogie man. It's a story bound to give even the most seasoned thrill seeker nightmares.

Following the model of Alien, the film takes its time with not much happening for the first forty-five minutes. Mclean is careful to build sympathy for his characters before all hell breaks loose. Liz Hunter (Cassandra Magrath) and Kristy Earl (Kestie Morassi) are typical British girls on holiday in Australia looking for a good time. When they meet up with up with Aussie native Ben Mitchell (Nathan Phillips), they set out by car to explore the remote meteor sites at Wolf Creek. Along the way, we get to see them as flawed, vulnerable kids, so that when they get in trouble we care about them.

Mclean is constantly confounding expectations and violating rules for the well-written screenplay. Initially film seems to be heading in the direction of UFO's since the region is famous for sightings, then Ben gives the girls the chills around the campfire with eyewitness accounts of flying saucers.

But when their car conks out in the middle of nowhere and their watches stop working at the same moment (a major plot point for which there is no explanation), help arrives in the form of backwoods giant Mick Taylor (John Jarratt). Despite some ominous signs, they allow him to tow the car back to his place, an abandoned mining camp, where he starts to work on the repairs. Next thing we know, Liz wakes up bound and gagged in a room that makes a dungeon look appealing. Any doubt about Mick's intentions are gone, and the rest of the film is a sadistic cat and mouse game in which he seeks and destroys his prey in the most vicious and gory fashion. Mclean is purposely pushing things for effect but one wonders what is the line between terror and torture?

Whatever it is, it's stylishly done. Mclean manipulates nature so that it starts out as a positive force and then cloud formations and even flies buzzing gradually take on an ominous tone, heightened by Francois Tetaz's creepy score. Shot with great panache by Jason Ballantine on HD, color grading and blow up make the film look more like Halloween than the overly polished recent remake of Dawn of the Dead.

But the real attraction here is Mick, who is sure to enter the annals of great slasher film villains. With his icy stare, scratchy beard and cackling laugh, this a monster without an ounce of human compassion, and judging by the collection of crucified bodies on his walls, he's made quite a career of duping unsuspecting tourists. Whatever social commentary Mclean throws in about the nature of pure evil and the need to track down these people, the real reason for Wolf Creek to exist is the fun of scaring the hell out of people. Mission accomplished.

WOLF CREEK

Dimension Films

The True Crime Channel

Credits:

Director: Greg Mclean

Writer: Mclean

Producers: Mclean, David Lightfoot

Executive producer: Gary Hamilton, Simon Hewitt, Martin Fabinyi, George Adams, Michael Gudinski

Director of photography: Will Gibson

Production designer: Robert Webb

Music: Francois Tetaz

Co-producer: Matt Hearn

Costume designer: Nicola Dunn

Editor: Jason Ballantine.

Cast:

Mick Taylor: John Jarratt

Ben Mitchell: Nathan Phillips

Liz Hunter: Cassandra Magrath

Kristy Earl: Kestie Morassi

Old Man: Gordon Poole

No

MPAA rating

Running time -- 98 minutes...