LOOP TRACK: MISTÉRIO NA FLORESTA

I started this film with very few expectations. However I was absolutely hooked to it.

It's fairly subtle and you have to keep your attention to really get engrossed in the paranoia of the loner of the story, You can feel his dread throughout, his shyness, his not wanting to engage with others, who somehow seem oblivious to his needs.

Soon you are engrossed in the movement of the characters and his paranoia. What are these people's intentions? Who can you trust? Is our main character in his right mind - or is it everyone else who is out of sorts?

I really loved going along with this and got very invested quite quickly. It's pretty great, and takes a bit of a turn towards the end which was not expected.

Great film.

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.

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.

An absolute amazing accomplishment done with very little money, lesser known actors, in New Zeeland!

Once I saw Carnifex 2022, I kinda knew that this was the standards for Australian horror movies. After Razorback, Rogue and Carnifex, the difference was made by budget alone.

Here comes Loop Track, with its own tone, characters, making you guess all around, great shifts, amazing surroundings, simply put, what a rush!

A rush that starts as evasive and slow as possible, only to build momentum and then let it all out.

I couldn't possibly recommend it more, because it's just such a fun experience, somehow feel good, satisfaying view.

I do not think you can go wrong with this one. It simply is a must.

I'm not going to say anything else because I fear I'm going to spoil it. And I really wanna stay away from giving away any information.

Take it. Grab some snacks. A cold beer because this movie will make you feel the heat from the bush. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Cheers!

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.