It is a bit hard to judge this movie. The picture on the cover of the dvd made it seem like a standard horror flick and the synopsis on the back gave the impression of a torture & (possibly) revenge type of thing. But in fact it's more like a documentary than a movie (even the length of the movie hints at that, it hardly fills up more than an hour) and the brutal action is totally one-way: an innocent and mentally invalid youngster is getting harassed and eventually killed by an obnoxious and uncontrollable psychopath and his subservient clique. That's it, the end, save some written information about the later verdicts to the culprits, since it seems to be all based on true facts.
Well, this movie is certainly not my idea of entertainment, and if I had known before I wouldn't have watched it, because it's downright repulsive and extremely unsettling. But I have to be honest, within this context it is actually not a bad movie at all. Script and direction are very good, the tension is slowly but cleverly being built up while we follow alternately aggressive Nicholas, in whom we gradually see his anger and consequently the menacing danger mounting, and carefree Danny who is so proud to be alone on his little camping trip. The photography is beautiful and I do not agree with the negative comments here about the acting, I was impressed by all four main characters. Richard Pawulski plays the autistic Danny very convincingly, his panic and bewilderment during the attack is heartbreaking. Natalie Martins is equally good as the hanger-on, being torn between alarm at what is happening (due to her own machinations, by the way) and the urge to please her agressive idol. Even Reece Douglas in the smaller part of Calvin does a great job, going from reluctant bystander to being disgusted and running cowardly away.
But the major star (if I may use such a trivial term in this kind of movie) is Danny Miller as the aggressive Nicholas. His attitude is hair-raisingly scary from the first minute we see him, we watch him fume and boil and building up his anger like a volcano that is about to burst, which in the end it actually does. Most notable and unnerving moment is probably when in the heat of his attack he takes one break to catch his breath and then shouts: "I just cannot stop" and like a savage continues his assault. It really chilled me to the bone!
It would be interesting to know the agenda of the makers of this film. Is it meant as as a kind of documentary? As a warning? Or were they just using the real facts to make a harsh thriller and attract horror-fans?
So in the end I hardly know how to rate this. Well, on account of the direction, the photography and the acting I think I rank it 7 out of 10.
Well, this movie is certainly not my idea of entertainment, and if I had known before I wouldn't have watched it, because it's downright repulsive and extremely unsettling. But I have to be honest, within this context it is actually not a bad movie at all. Script and direction are very good, the tension is slowly but cleverly being built up while we follow alternately aggressive Nicholas, in whom we gradually see his anger and consequently the menacing danger mounting, and carefree Danny who is so proud to be alone on his little camping trip. The photography is beautiful and I do not agree with the negative comments here about the acting, I was impressed by all four main characters. Richard Pawulski plays the autistic Danny very convincingly, his panic and bewilderment during the attack is heartbreaking. Natalie Martins is equally good as the hanger-on, being torn between alarm at what is happening (due to her own machinations, by the way) and the urge to please her agressive idol. Even Reece Douglas in the smaller part of Calvin does a great job, going from reluctant bystander to being disgusted and running cowardly away.
But the major star (if I may use such a trivial term in this kind of movie) is Danny Miller as the aggressive Nicholas. His attitude is hair-raisingly scary from the first minute we see him, we watch him fume and boil and building up his anger like a volcano that is about to burst, which in the end it actually does. Most notable and unnerving moment is probably when in the heat of his attack he takes one break to catch his breath and then shouts: "I just cannot stop" and like a savage continues his assault. It really chilled me to the bone!
It would be interesting to know the agenda of the makers of this film. Is it meant as as a kind of documentary? As a warning? Or were they just using the real facts to make a harsh thriller and attract horror-fans?
So in the end I hardly know how to rate this. Well, on account of the direction, the photography and the acting I think I rank it 7 out of 10.