Wolf Creek

Director: Greg Mclean
Screenwriters: Greg Mclean

Institute History

  • 2005 Sundance Film Festival

Description

They say that truth is stranger than fiction. It's also scarier. Based on terrifying true events, Wolf Creek is sure to do for Australian horror films what The Texas Chain Saw Massacre did for the American genre.

This story begins with three road-trippers heading into the Australian outback. After several days of driving (marked by roadkill, a near bar fight, and spooky tales of local UFO sightings), they finally arrive at Wolf Creek National Park and set up camp. The following morning, while preparing to leave, they realize their watches don't work and their car won't start. As panic sets in, they notice strange lights heading straight for them. This is where the real "fun" begins, and the trio must face one of the most frightening bogeymen in the history of film.

What sets Wolf Creek apart from other thrillers is its craftsmanship. Instead of relying on archetypes and predictable formulas, writer/director Greg Mclean meticulously fashions three-dimensional characters, utilizing exceptional performances and an intelligently structured script. Mclean's cinematic approach more closely resembles the Dogma filmmakers than any "slasher" directors. His ultrarealistic style creates an intimate climate, heightening the terror to unsettling levels. The result is a shocking new breed of horror film.

— Trevor Groth

Screening Details

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