Loop Track

If people giving a note on this film had seen it in a theater, the average note would be much higher. I'd say 6.5 or 7/10. I'm saying that because you usually stay until the end when you've paid for your seat. And that is a game changer because many people can be prone to stop the viewing as there's a feeling of "this is way too long and i'm wasting my time"... you're not.

If you like horror movies, you can go on this one, you won't be deceived.

Yes there are maybe 5 or 10 minutes that could have been cut. But the photography is beautiful, the acting is excellent and this film could be a real life situation. The more you progress in it, the more you emphasize with the characters.

This is the kind of movies i want to see, real life based with a touch of fantasy. Far from all the bs we have at disposal nowadays. I'm sure i'll remember this one.

This was fantastic all the way through. Acting was great, suspense was perfect - actually had me a little on edge and I watch horror films almost exclusively and none of them do what this film did. There were 2-3 scenes in particular that stopped me in my tracks. TENSE. Great job with this.

I don't know why others were let down. They must never watch horror films - this was far above par for horror films with much bigger budgets. I would have paid to watch this in theaters and not be upset. Slow burn, kept things moving, and kept you guessing. Really enjoyed this!

I was shocked to see the lead was also the writer and director. I hope to see more from him.

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.

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.