The Loved Ones (2009)

After seeing countless torture horror movies such as Saw, Hostel and Misery I didn't think that I would watch one that I would enjoy so much and feel every bit of pain inflicted. Enter the small budget Australian movie The Loved Ones.

First and foremost, Xavier Samuel is brilliant in playing Brent, the guilt ridden teenager who blames himself for his father's death after wrapping his car around a tree while trying to avoid a person in the middle of the road. Xavier is certainly a star on the rise and will become a force to be reckoned with.

Xavier Samuel and Robin McLeavy in a scene from the film

The directing is without fault, Sean Byrne in his first full length feature film delivers a production that many experienced directors would kill to create, the soundtrack is a perfect blending of Australian music that range from Parkway Drive to Kasey Chambers.

Equally impressive are the performances of Robin McLeavy (Lola) and John Brumpton (Daddy), they star as the deranged father and daughter pairing who kidnap Brent, the reasoning behind their actions stem from Lola's request for Brent to accompany her to the school dance, Lola does not like hearing the word "no" so together with her father they subject Brent to some of the most brutal yet creative torture I have seen in a while.

Many of the scenes are as disturbing as they come, the one that comes to mind most often is shortly after Brent's kidnapping while hanging out in the woods, his dog returns home late at night bloodied and severely injured at the hands of Lola's father, the sickness I felt in my gut after witnessing this I have not felt in a long time while watching a movie and is a credit to all those involved in creating this film.

If your up for a solid horror movie that doesn't involve spirits from another world or killers who hide behind masks, then do not miss this one, its an absolute gem.

9/10