TRIANGLE is a UK/Australian production of a sci-fi/horror story in which modern-day scream queen Melissa George stars as a woman caught up in a nightmare. There are shades of classic ghost stories along the line of DEATH SHIP when a group of friends find themselves stranded on a seemingly abandoned liner, but soon things take a very different twist.

I'm predisposed to enjoy time-loop style stories and I have to say that the low-budget Spanish film TIMECRIMES is by far the best of the bunch. TRIANGLE sometimes reaches the same level of quality - and Christopher Smith's direction has much improved since he made CREEP - but it has too many plot holes and things that don't really make sense to make it a truly exceptional film like TIMECRIMES was. Still, that doesn't stop it being a very entertaining movie.

I've been really enjoying George in all of the horror films she's made recently here and she delivers another gutsy turn as a tough woman who has to make the best of her situation. The supporting cast are more than adequate, a particular surprise being Liam Hensworth who makes a good job of a one-dimensional character. The level of tension is high and Smith acquaints himself well with the material, both on a standard slasher front and when getting to grips with the more intellectual sci-fi elements. It may not be perfect, but TRIANGLE sure is a lot of fun.

A group of people go on a leisurely weekend outing on Greg (Michael Dorman)'s sailboat Triangle. His long-time friend Sally (Rachael Carpani) has brought along her husband Downey and Heather as a setup for Greg. Unbeknownst to her, he's brought along new acquaintance waitress Jess (Melissa George) from the diner which he frequents. She is troubled from a mystery incident with her autistic son Tommy. Rounding out the group is Victor (Liam Hemsworth),a young man Greg is trying to mentor. The boat is hit by a weird storm and capsizes. Heather is missing. They are picked up by old ocean liner Aeolus but the ship appears to be empty.

It's a fine horror setup. It's going along fine but it does do a couple of annoying standard tropes. First, the group splits up. Initially, I had great hopes that they wouldn't split up but Victor chases a phantom and people scatter. It's a little disappointing that it does something so standard. It would work better with a better lure. Let me describe it in detail. Victor sees the second Jess and yells out "Jess!" before chasing after her. It's the perfect reason for Greg and a confused Jess A to chase after Victor. The chase needs to be frantic which would lead to them scattering. A frantic chase would also heighten the intensity. Second, it takes them way too long to grab a weapon. I thought they would grab something when they couldn't find anybody. I'm not going all paranoia with ghost ship. It could have been pirates holding the passengers hostage somewhere. Greg's excuse that it's all a prank is rather annoying. There is a small middle section which needs more tension. A kinetic chase and grabbing some weapons could do that.

This movie does go somewhere fascinating. The Sallys are a great reveal which is set up nicely by the necklaces. There are issues with reason and logic as many of these time looping stories have. It's not a movie that can pass the scrutiny. It is more a loop of visual poetry. It's a fascinating take and the memorable Sallys is more than enough to recommend.

In Florida, Jess (Melissa George) is a mother that raises her autistic son Tommy (Joshua McIvor) alone. Her friend Greg (Michael Dorman) invites her to sail in his yacht on Saturday morning with his friends Victor (Liam Hemsworth),Downey (Henry Nixon) and wife Sally (Rachel Carpani) that unexpectedly brings her friend Heather (Emma Lung). While sailing, out of the blue the wind stops and they a surprised by a storm. The yacht capsizes, Heather vanishes in the sea and they see the old passenger vessel Aeolus that stops and they climb the embarkation ladder. When they reach the main deck, they can not find any passenger or crew onboard. Jess has the sensation of déjà vu and sooner they learn that there is someone hunting them down. Further, Jess discovers that the only way to save the group is killing them all.

A couple of months ago I saw the trailer of "Triangle" and I was looking forward to the release of the DVD. "Triangle" is an intriguing love-or- hate film that follows the style of David Lynch, inclusive with a reference to "Blue Velvet" with the garden water spray nozzle. The story is excellent and the production is detailed with the 1932 riveted ship as it should be. This is the type of story open to interpretation where the viewer shall enjoy and not seek for an ultimate explanation. This is the third film that I see from Christopher Smith and this promising director is improving his work in each film. Melissa George is excellent as usual and the cast has good performances. Last but not the least, Aeolus was the ruler of the winds in Greek mythology. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Triângulo da Morte" ("Triangle of the Death")

Note: On 27 Jan 2014, I saw "Triangle" again on Blu-Ray and now my vote is nine.

The story is based on the the punishment of Sisyphus, condemned to roll an immense rounded rock up a hill, only to watch it roll back down, and to repeat this action forever. One of these days, I was watching the Episode 10 "Judgment Night" of the First Season of "The Twilight Zone" and immediately made me clear "Triangle".

Jess is a reckless and abusive single mother that is punished after the car crash where her autistic son and she died, to relive that Saturday forever because of her attitudes. The Reaper (the taxi driver) does not take her to the Final Destination, but leaves her in the limbo (pier) until she becomes a better person in the end of each loop. She had never sailed on the boat when she was alive and the journey of her soul in the boat is part of her punishment.

Unfortunately most of the viewers do not understand this movie due to the lack of knowledge in Greek Mythology. But the movie gives a hint when the castaways reach the ship Aeolus.

Note: On 03 November 2016, I saw this film again. Note: On 04 May 2019, I saw this film again.