WOLF CREEK is one of those modern-day, pared-down horror films that rely on action for suspense and deliver a new brand of extreme horror in which the terror comes, not from the supernatural, but from the sadistic mind of a relentless killer. What makes WOLF CREEK different is that it's Australian, which means it comes with its own distinctive visual flavour, and director Gary McLean is bright enough to make the eerie wilderness of the Australian outback a character just as important as the three protagonists of the story. An isolated landscape, full of rusting barbed wire, the lonely barks of solitary dogs, and a creepy giant meteorite crater, this is a film designed to put you off ever wanting to visit Australia ever again.

The first half of the film is the best, a slow-burning build up populated by creepy cameo characters and an ever-increasing sense of foreboding. Rather than creating likable characters, McLean pretends the backpackers just as they are, so we get Nathan Phillips as a bit of a jock and Kestie Morassi as somebody incessantly whiny and annoying; Cassandra Magrath does better as the genuinely fragile Liz. Best of all, though, is John Jarratt, who gives one of the best bad guy performances I've ever seen in a movie; he's so evil because he's so NICE, and only by watching this film will you see what I mean. Jarratt is horrifying and far more frightening than Freddy or Jason ever can be.

The film seems to have achieved some controversy because of its violent content, but in a world full of SAW movies, it's nothing much; a few flashes of brutal violence and a nasty stabbing, that's it. It's disturbing, though, because McLean is good at filming horror, building up the suspense incessantly before thumping you in the chest with something you don't want to see happen. The similarly-themed HILLS HAVE EYES remake and HOSTEL may have more bloodshed and depravity, but the more subtle terrors of WOLF CREEK are just as powerful as any big bucks horror flick with Hollywood's backing.

In 1999, Ben Mitchell (Nathan Phillips) and his two British girlfriends Liz Hunter (Cassandra Magrath) and Kristy Earl (Kestie Morassi) buy an old car to travel through the outback of Australia with little money. Their first stop is to visit a meteor crater in the isolated Wolf Creek National Park. When they go to their car, they find that it does not start and without option, they decide to spend the night in the car. Later, a local friendly man, the hillbilly Mick Taylor (John Jarrat),stops his truck, offers to help the trio, finds that they need to replace the coil and proposes to tow them to his camp, where he could fix the car. When they accept the proposal, their dreamy vacation turns into a scary nightmare.

The story of "Wolf Creek" is not original and seems to be inspired in the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre". But there are differences in this attractive Australian film, beginning with the previous development of the characters in the first half, when the story begins like a dramatic road movie. The second part of the story is pure and very realistic horror, with excellent performances of John Jarrat, Cassandra Magrath and Kestie Morassi. The scenes are very authentic, with the frightened girls making bad choices, like for example, leaving the rifle with Mick, not stabbing him when he was unconscious; or driving the truck down off the cliff. The direction Greg McLean is also great, using a handy camera many times and transmitting the sensation of fear and disorientation of the characters in some moments. I personally did not like the conclusion, but I liked and recommend this little gem of horror. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Wolf Creek – Viagem ao Inferno" ("Wolf Creek – Journey to Hell")

It's 1999 Western Australia. British tourists Liz Hunter and Kristy Earl are traveling with Australian friend Ben Mitchell. They party and get drunk. Ben buys a car and they drive to Wolf Creek Crater. After enjoying a hike, they return to find the car won't start. They are waken by the lights of Mick Taylor's truck. He tows their car back to his place. The group is drugged and taken prisoner by Taylor.

This is another one of those torture kill horrors. Australia is good fertile grounds for making them over the years. This is just another one. There isn't anything new or anything terribly wrong. I don't find the characters that compelling. The trio is hot and young but so are many other actors. The two girls battling Mick Taylor has some fun moments. The problem is that the action fades. I love the finger chopping but long distance shooting doesn't hold the same appeal. The action and the intensity never reaches the same level of when they first discover their imprisonment.