When Brent (Xavier Samuel) turns down an invitation to a high school dance, he has no idea how serious the consequences of his response will be. The jilted Lola (Robin McLeavy) doesn't take rejection lightly. She also has no way of knowing that Brent himself has been through a lot, having lost his father in a freak accident some six months earlier. An accident for which Brent blames himself. Had Lola known this, perhaps she would have reacted differently. Then again, perhaps not.
Instead, Brent's plans have been drastically altered. He's abducted and taken out for a night he'll never forget, if he lives.
THE LOVED ONES brings to mind an unholy combination of CARRIE, MAY, and THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE. Toss in a bit of SPIDER BABY as well. Both Samuel and McLeavy are astonishing in their roles. He for his determination to live, in spite of unbearable torture, and even his own desire to die. She for her portrayal of unhinged wickedness and sadism.
This movie's biggest surprise comes from its poignant sense of loneliness and longing. Brent and Lola are each damaged in different ways, bent in different directions by pain and loss. In fact, several characters in TLO have suffered great losses of their own. Of course, the biggest difference is that Lola is also quite insane, as is her dear old daddy (John Brumpton).
There are some macabre shocks along with some much appreciated humor here and there. However, this isn't just another mindless horror film. A gem in the modern horror wasteland...
Instead, Brent's plans have been drastically altered. He's abducted and taken out for a night he'll never forget, if he lives.
THE LOVED ONES brings to mind an unholy combination of CARRIE, MAY, and THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE. Toss in a bit of SPIDER BABY as well. Both Samuel and McLeavy are astonishing in their roles. He for his determination to live, in spite of unbearable torture, and even his own desire to die. She for her portrayal of unhinged wickedness and sadism.
This movie's biggest surprise comes from its poignant sense of loneliness and longing. Brent and Lola are each damaged in different ways, bent in different directions by pain and loss. In fact, several characters in TLO have suffered great losses of their own. Of course, the biggest difference is that Lola is also quite insane, as is her dear old daddy (John Brumpton).
There are some macabre shocks along with some much appreciated humor here and there. However, this isn't just another mindless horror film. A gem in the modern horror wasteland...