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Writer-director Thomas Sainsbury plays a twitchy divorcee who wants to get away from it all, but this intriguing journey disappoints at the final hurdle

“I just wanted some quiet. But it’s so quiet out here. And all I can hear is my brain.” New Zealand hiker Ian (Thomas Sainsbury) isn’t so much a worrywart as a one-man anxiety epidemic. Out trekking solo in the forest to get away from a divorce, everything is a source of torment to this clammy-browed sadsack: his blisters, the possibility of encountering other hikers, but especially the lingering possibility something is lurking in the darkness behind him at the path’s vanishing point. Luckily, fellow wayfarer Nicky (Hayden J Weal) takes Ian under his wing.

It’s not clear if loquacious Nicky, a glucose shot in human form, is a boon companion or a further ordeal for Ian. Ditto loved-up Aussies Monica (Kate Simmonds...

Exclusively on Arrow this July, Loop Track, an electrifying journey into the unknown from Kiwi writer-director and actor Tom Sainsbury. Known for his comedic flair in such works as Wellington Paranormal and Guns Akimbo, Sainsbury stars as a hiker whose solo trek in the New Zealand bush takes a very unexpected turn.

Highly anxious Ian Thompson (Sainsbury) sets off on a solo trek in the New Zealand bush for some respite from the stress of everyday life. His plans for uninterrupted solitude are scuppered however, when he encounters Nicky (Hayden J Weal) and other hikers, only exacerbating his paranoia. As Ian’s grip on reality weakens, he becomes convinced they are being followed. Miles from civilisation, their journey turns into a fight for survival as Ian’s fears manifest into a surreal battle against an unseen threat lurking in the wilderness. Is it all just in his head? Or is someone,...

Streaming exclusively on Arrow this July is Loop Track, an unnerving psychological horror thriller from Kiwi writer-director Tom Sainsbury. Known for his comedic roles in Wellington Paranormal and Guns Akimbo, Sainsbury makes his directorial debut with this gripping and tense exploration of isolation and paranoia. Set against the backdrop of the New Zealand wilderness, Loop Track stars Sainsbury himself as Ian Thompson, a hiker whose solo trek takes a very unexpected and terrifying turn.

In Loop Track, highly anxious Ian Thompson seeks solace from the stress of everyday life by embarking on a solo hike in the New Zealand bush. However, his plans for uninterrupted solitude are quickly disrupted when he encounters fellow hiker Nicky, played by Hayden J. Weal, along with other hikers. These encounters only serve to exacerbate Ian’s paranoia. As his grip on reality weakens, Ian becomes convinced they are being followed. The journey turns into...

To celebrate the release of Loop Track on Limited Edition Blu-Ray available 8th July, we are giving you access to an exclusive clip from the film and are giving away 2 Blu-Rays!

Writer-director and actor Tom Sainsbury, known for his comedic flair in such works as Wellington Paranormal and Guns Akimbo, shows his hidden passion for thrillers and human drama with Loop Track, his latest collaboration with Chillbox Creative which promises an electrifying journey into the unknown.

Highly anxious Ian Thompson (Sainsbury) sets off on a solo trek in the New Zealand bush for some respite from the stress of everyday life. His plans for uninterrupted solitude are scuppered however, when he encounters Nicky (Hayden J Weal) and other hikers, only exacerbating his paranoia. As Ian’s grip on reality weakens, he becomes convinced they are being followed. Miles from civilisation, their journey turns into a fight for survival as Ian...

There is no place better for a horror fan than the ever-growing film library of Shudder. It was already one of the most niche streaming services in the market, it is also perfect for giving the fans what they want by giving them new and exciting horror films every month. So, if you love Shudder and are wondering what are best movies coming to the Scream Queen of streaming services in June 2024, here are our best picks for you.

A Lonely Place to Die (June 3)

A Lonely Place to Die is a British action thriller film directed by Julian Gilbey from a screenplay co-written by Julian and Will Gilbey. The 2011 film follows the story of five hikers as they hear cries of pain in the wilderness and to their horror it’s a little girl buried in the ground. When they decide to get her to safety they are chased by the kidnappers.

A walk in the woods tends to spell trouble for horror movie characters, and Loop Track is no exception to this unspoken genre rule. However, despite its overused setup, Tom Sainsbury‘s directorial debut — a long feature seven years in the making — manages to feel fresh. Its innovation doesn’t so much lie in the story but rather the smart execution. Sainsbury takes an admirably deliberate approach to a conventional idea, all the while delivering a rewarding conclusion that will validate many folks’ fear of nature.

From start to finish, Loop Track is a tale fraught with anxiety and paranoia. Sainsbury plays his movie’s own main character, Ian, and his insight into this nervous fellow makes for a convincing performance. Viewers don’t have to wait long before Ian’s creeping terror begins; upon his first step into the forest, it’s clear something isn’t right here. The...

Now available on digital platforms and VOD from Dark Sky Films, we have an exclusive look at Thomas Sainsbury's Loop Track just for Daily Dead readers:

"Ian, a man on the verge of a nervous breakdown, disappears from the world and takes a hike in the New Zealand wilderness. His efforts to avoid other hikers are futile and he is drawn into their worlds, but he can never shake the feeling that they are being stalked by someone, or something, sinister. As Ian’s paranoia grows, the other hikers become wary of him. He’s cagey about his past, he never sleeps, and his anxiety leads him to make concerning claims. Far from society, Ian starts to question his own sanity before plunging into a bloody battle for survival."

Directed & Written by: Thomas Sainsbury Produced by: Gabriel Lunte, Jonathan Potton, Milon Tesiram Country of Origin: New Zealand Language: English...

"There's something in the trees..." Dark Sky Films has revealed an official trailer for an indie thriller from New Zealand titled Loop Track, arriving in the US this December to watch on VOD. This first premiered at the 2023 New Zealand Film Festival earlier in the year, and it also screened at the Screamfest Horror Film Festival. A four-day journey turns into a fight for survival – this is a psychological thriller about Ian, who wants to get as far away from humanity as possible, into the New Zealand bush. Some other individuals get attached to him. And he has the feeling that they are being followed. Is that real though? Far from society, Ian starts to question his sanity before plunging into a bloody battle for his own survival. Writer / director Thomas Sainsbury also stars as Ian, with a small cast including Hayden J. Weal, Tawanda Manyimo, Kate Simmonds, and Noa Campbell.

When it comes to horror, there’s always something dangerous lurking in the woods. A brand new trailer for New Zealand psychological thriller Loop Track teases that the threat could be an anxious man on the verge of a breakdown, or something far more monstrous.

Dark Sky Films will release Loop Track on VOD and Digital on December 1.

In Loop Track: “Ian, a man on the verge of a nervous breakdown, disappears from the world and takes a hike in the New Zealand wilderness. His efforts to avoid other hikers are futile and he is drawn into their worlds, but he can never shake the feeling that they are being stalked by someone, or something, sinister. As Ian’s paranoia grows, the other hikers become wary of him. He’s cagey about his past, he never sleeps, and his anxiety leads him to make concerning claims. Far from society,...

Stars: Thomas Sainsbury, Hayden J. Weal, Jess Sayer, Jennifer Ward-Leland, Tomai Ihaia | Written by Thomas Sainsbury | Directed by Hayden J. Weal

Imagine if Michael J. Fox’s character in The Frighteners could only see ghost and ghouls if he took hard drugs… and was an idiot. That’s Dead in a nutshell!

Marbles, a hapless stoner, can see dead people, thanks to a homemade drug. Officer Tagg, a recently deceased wannabe super-cop is on the trail of a serial killer. So when Marbles’ mum plans to sell the family farm, and the only way of buying it is taking the money offered by Tagg in exchange for his help, Marbles accepts. Will the unlikely duo of directionless medium and ghost cop get over their prejudices and navigate their way through ghouls, perverts, a mysterious hooded figure, and an unexpected shot at love.

As I’ve said in many a previous review,...

Out on VOD today is Dead, a new horror comedy where a deceased cop returns from the dead to help hunt down a serial killer, and we've been provided with an exclusive clip just for Daily Dead readers!

"Marbles, a hapless stoner, can see ghosts. Tagg, a recently dead wannabe super-cop, needs to find a serial killer. Can a critical ghost cop and a directionless stoner get over their prejudices and work together to save lives… and deaths?"

Directed by Hayden J. Weal, Dead stars Thomas Sainsbury, Hayden J. Weal, Tomairangi I'haia, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Michael Hurst and Cameron Rhodes. To learn more visit: https://deadthemovie.com/

In Virtual Cinemas on 9/25 and on VOD 10/6

The post Watch an Exclusive Clip from Dead appeared first on Daily Dead.

Genre festival to open with ‘Train To Busan Presents: Peninsula’.

South Korean zombie thriller Train To Busan Presents: Peninsula will open UK genre festival FrightFest on October 22 ahead of its UK release by Studiocanal on November 6.

The festival will host 34 features in central London from October 22-25 and has secured seven world premieres and two European premieres.

It will close with the world premiere of US horror Held, directed by Chris Lofing and Travis Cluff, the filmmaking duo behind The Gallows franchise.

Further world premieres include Will Jewell’s Concrete Plans; Leroy Kincaide’s The Last Rite; and Dune Drifter from Marc Price,...