Bad Trip

If Hollywood had made this movie (and smoothed out some hitches that presumably came with a low budget) the critics may well have been raving about it.

In many ways it could have been another 'The Others'.

Most of the acting is quite acceptable for a low budget horror movie; the photography is very well done and the script itself is ambitious and doesn't miss by much, which is saying something. Some of the foreshadowing is top notch.

Either way well worth watching and miles ahead of so much Hollywood horror pap!

As ghost stories go this was relatively original and will be appreciated by those looking for something different.

The notion that a parcel of land-- as opposed to a house, a man-made object or a person's family bloodline-- can become permanently and irreversibly tainted with supernatural evil as a result of gruesome tragedies that occur there is a recurring theme in horror from New Zealand, where good farmland is precious. This N. Z. production starts out like just another of the many TEXAS CHAINSAW ripoffs but then gradually develops its scenario into something startlingly original, interesting and spooky. Two college-age buddies, a shy, serious-minded one and a goofy wisecracking one, head into the backwoods on a camping trip hoping to catch up on their friendship and just generally get their heads together. One of the guys is depressed because his girlfriend just dumped him for not liking Peter Jackson's LORD OF THE RINGS movies. They have a chance meeting with two cute girls whose clothes and hairstyles appear about 20 years out of date. Far from civilization or familiar surroundings, they witness a murder and suddenly find themselves being pursued by a gang of ignorant backwoods goons armed with rifles and led by the killer. This might sound like the same sort of thing you've seen a thousand times before, but THE LOCALS has a uniquely eerie feel. The story becomes less predictable as it advances into dreamlike confusion over exactly what has happened to whom, and when. That's not to say that just anything can happen, however. The plot actually sticks to its own logic enough to make sense if you're paying attention. There are some great and odd-looking special effects, excellent acting, appropriately witty dialogue and a simple but very clever storyline that sets the movie apart from all the typically cheap and uninspired crazy-rednecks-chasing-city-folks-in-the-woods movies spawned by the success of TEXAS CHAINSAW. The killers appear as violent and threatening without ever lapsing into camp parody and the bloody killings here carry more of a sense of tragedy and emotional loss than in most stalker films. And it's nice to see a film of this type that goes beyond simply presenting a series of murders and actually goes to the trouble to tell a real story. The leader of the murderous "locals" is played by the actor who was Professor Challenger on the short-lived ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE'S THE LOST WORLD TV series. If you like backwoods horror tales, THE LOCALS is one to look for.

"The Locals" is a chilling film that is most effective if you watch it with no expectations or knowledge of its content. As a result, I'll say very little about the plot other than it centres around two young friends, Grant and Paul, who are on holiday to surf. Unfortunately, things don't work out quite as they expected when they meet two young girls, Kelly and Lisa.

This atmospheric film has impressive production values for such a low budget movie and it definitely hits the mark. The cast are excellent and the main characters are likable.

7 out of 10. An unpredictable and pleasant surprise.

I've just read a review that slags this baby off and there is no way that I can let that particularly misguided reviewer have the last word. he accuses New Zealanders of bigging the film up and criticises the use of lighting and the acting - wrong on all counts, boy! I'm a Brit and I have no particular reason to pretend that a film from New Zealand is good if it isn't. BUT THIS IS WONDERFUL STUFF!!! Low budget maybe, low key for sure - but the film takes its time allowing us to get to know our main characters (pretty clichéd characters but convincing and effective nevertheless. It builds up a spooky atmosphere, allows us to slowly realize that all is not well. The beautiful scenery of the daylight becomes a mysterious place of strange shadows at night. Here is where the lighting works so well. Yes, lots of areas are deliberately over lit - making central occurrences stand out starkly whilst blackness surrounds in a claustrophobic manner. The graveyard is eerily lit - standing like a beacon of badness amidst the shadows. The acting is fine - certainly far better than some of its amateur origins might suggest. I would recommend this film for anyone whether they be a horror fan or a student of film-making on a budget. New Zealand just showed big bucks Hollywood how to make something scary!

I saw this film because I recognised some of the actors, and was quite impressed with Dwayne Cameron's acting. I can't say the same for everyone - Grant's character wasn't as convincing at the beginning - but it may be there was more focus on the plot at the beginning than development of character. Especially Paul and Grant's friendship, it seemed a little strange at first, but it ended up being the focus of the ending - which was a great scene!. I was also impressed with the camera work, shots, and editing which all added to the feeling of mystery and thrill. The storyline may have been slightly copycat but there was some great Kiwi spirit added in there which made it even more special. Hey, a movie that mentions the film Lord of the Rings has got to be ahead of it's time, eh!