Loop Track

So I watched this movie on a recommendation from the reddit r/horror, when I asked for a list of good horror movies from the last 10 years or so. I asked for non mainstream, obscure movies that were well made. This was one of these movies.

I am not going to tell you anything about the movie, except it is about a man with very bad social anxiety going on a hike in the Kiwi forest. Most of these other reviews are literally giving you there own fan fiction, as they must all be award winning screen writers lol. Really don't want to say much more than this, due to I personally like to go in blind to a movie like this. I will say it is a slow burn, and takes until a good bit of the movie to get where it's going, so if you don't like these types of movies, then maybe don't bother. I am a horror fan and I thought it was pretty original, you'll know what I mean when you get to the end. Oh another thing, I read that it is a horror/comedy? Well imo there really isn't anything funny in it, unless it's a kiwi thing, idk. So don't expect any laughs.

Something this movie finally made me realise is that New Zealanders have entirely unique senses of humour. I probably should've realised it years before now, but this was the film that made me click. Almost every joke in this movie is something you would never see come out of a movie made in a different country.

'Loop Track' is a great example of doing everything you can with a concept. Squeezing every last drop out of the stone, if you will. In theory, the film has no business being as interesting for 90 minutes as it was. But because of the way it was done I found myself enjoying myself for the full run time.

I really had no idea where this movie was headed for the majority of the run time. And where it did head, I didn't mind ultimately. It went down a path and it committed to it was the important thing. For what this was I thought 'Loop Track' was a great effort in film making and great example of making a low-budget work to your advantage. 7/10.

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.

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.

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.