Just in case you missed it: SPOILER ALERT!
Now if you are reading this from somewhere else on the Planet other than Australia and think 'Well, they would say that wouldn't they' - I'll be honest. Australian television and films are something I am normally very disappointed by. Yep, I love Chris Lilley's stuff, also loved The Proposition, but....even films like 'Animal Kingdom' and 'Lucky Country' which got very good reviews and are very well acted - do you know what? They did not 'suck me in' - I hate to admit it, but got bored by both of them and gave up - yes, they are critically excellent films, but - I was sorely disappointed: the voice in my head said: 'Oh, here we go again....'
Still with me? Good.
So it was a genuine shock to discover this little gem on Foxtel this afternoon. So ready to be disappointed again that managed to miss the first fifteen minutes - no matter.
The pseudo documentary style is done so well, drawing on the documentary codes and conventions any television viewer will be familiar with. The acting was excellent and you will believe and feel for these people who head off larking around into 'the deep depths' of the City.
A big thank you to all involved for making a film that is genuinely nerve wracking to watch and proves you do not need a huge budget to scare the bejesus out of people. There were moments where scenes went on a little bit too long for my taste, but that is a minor complaint.
An even bigger thank you for making a film in Australia that does not feel the need to keep shouting out 'We're in Australia!' like a nation of amnesiacs. Please stop it. It is embarrassing and cringe inducing. Yep, it is set under the streets of Sydney, but it could be any big City. The 'Australian ness' of the characters always comes second to the actual story and characterisations - which is how I think it should be.
If you want (and I do - very much) you can read this on another metaphorical level as well, but that is up to you. (Journalists becoming the hunted, the hidden depths of the soul, the invisible and forgotten people etc) If you want a film that grabs hold of you, entertains you and keeps you on the edge of your seat: please do give this a go. It is much better than any of the supposed scary horror big budget films seen in the past 12 months.
Such a surprise! Oddly disconcerting and genuinely frightening.
Now if you are reading this from somewhere else on the Planet other than Australia and think 'Well, they would say that wouldn't they' - I'll be honest. Australian television and films are something I am normally very disappointed by. Yep, I love Chris Lilley's stuff, also loved The Proposition, but....even films like 'Animal Kingdom' and 'Lucky Country' which got very good reviews and are very well acted - do you know what? They did not 'suck me in' - I hate to admit it, but got bored by both of them and gave up - yes, they are critically excellent films, but - I was sorely disappointed: the voice in my head said: 'Oh, here we go again....'
Still with me? Good.
So it was a genuine shock to discover this little gem on Foxtel this afternoon. So ready to be disappointed again that managed to miss the first fifteen minutes - no matter.
The pseudo documentary style is done so well, drawing on the documentary codes and conventions any television viewer will be familiar with. The acting was excellent and you will believe and feel for these people who head off larking around into 'the deep depths' of the City.
A big thank you to all involved for making a film that is genuinely nerve wracking to watch and proves you do not need a huge budget to scare the bejesus out of people. There were moments where scenes went on a little bit too long for my taste, but that is a minor complaint.
An even bigger thank you for making a film in Australia that does not feel the need to keep shouting out 'We're in Australia!' like a nation of amnesiacs. Please stop it. It is embarrassing and cringe inducing. Yep, it is set under the streets of Sydney, but it could be any big City. The 'Australian ness' of the characters always comes second to the actual story and characterisations - which is how I think it should be.
If you want (and I do - very much) you can read this on another metaphorical level as well, but that is up to you. (Journalists becoming the hunted, the hidden depths of the soul, the invisible and forgotten people etc) If you want a film that grabs hold of you, entertains you and keeps you on the edge of your seat: please do give this a go. It is much better than any of the supposed scary horror big budget films seen in the past 12 months.
Such a surprise! Oddly disconcerting and genuinely frightening.