The Loved Ones

"The Loved Ones" is an adequate example of the now well-worn "torture" genre, but for the most part it's likely to give viewers a feeling of deja vu. It gets more interesting & amusing as it goes along, but doesn't have very much plot - or much point to it at all. It's likely to delight the hardcore horror crowd who favour cruelty and plenty of gore, in any event. The main asset is a memorable antagonist who's cute but deadly. We don't ever get to know the victim that well, but it's not exactly hard to feel bad for him. (One thing must be said: he has a lot of fight in him!) Also, there's a subplot with two characters that never really goes anywhere. Lola, a.k.a. "Princess" (Robin McLeavy, "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter"), doesn't take rejection well at all. When Brent (Xavier Samuel, "Road Train") declines to take her to the prom, she gets back at him in a major way, by having her dear old daddy (John Brumpton, "Storm Warning") abduct Brent so they can spend the night tormenting him at their own private gathering. Soon he learns just how utterly demented this duo is; meanwhile, people notice he's missing and try to track him down. If it weren't for a squirm-inducing scene involving a power drill - it's the sound effects that really sell it - and the tour de force acting by McLeavy, there wouldn't be much to recommend this. That is, of course, unless one is partial to this sort of material to begin with. Unfortunately, even for a movie running a scant 85 minutes long, it feels longer than it is. And it's ultimately pretty damn predictable. Good soundtrack, though. Six out of 10.

source: The Loved Ones

This has got to be the most stupidest movie I've ever seen. It wasn't even scary, and the gory techniques with the knives have all been done before. It makes no sense that the guy who is kidnapped can't speak. If he was able to talk, it would have been more interesting. There were barely any characters, and the goth girl and weird guy weren't even connected to the plot. I had no sudden urges to jump or be frightened. The plot was also very predictable because it was not exciting. I found it weird that the movie itself was only 84 minutes. If it had been any longer, I would have turned it off. This movie was dull and boring. I do not understand how this is rated 6.7, when it should be rated a 1.

I can't say too much without spoiling but this excellent Australian film puts a different spin on what is most commonly male behaviour; not taking rejection very well. Extremely unsettling and very bloody, this is one to put on your must watch list. And the central performance by Robyn McLeavy, as Princess, is just superb.

Really surprising how good this film actually turned out. Another horror plot that has been done to death (excuse the pun), concerning a neglected prom queen who takes revenge on her object of desire. A cross between 'Hostel' and a bad 'Carrie'. The acting is first rate and gripping until the demented conclusion. Worth seeking out.

We horror fans get used to sitting through a lot of stinkers to find a few goodies every so often. I don't know why I hadn't heard of this one before. Maybe it's because I'm the only person in my group of friends who actually digs horror. The acting is good and the characters are as quirky and intense as they should be. There are some very cringey moments and inappropriate laughs. I quite enjoyed it.

Everything about this movie works. This is all opinionated of course but this movie does so well with everything. Cinematography is amazing, everything ties together well in the plot, the acting is solid. I feel like everyone has a role in this movie that impacts another character. Even things like soundtrack and the setting fit in so well with the different moods of each scene. I'm sure that not everyone will see this movie in the same light that I do, but it is very worth the watch. I hope you enjoy this movie as much as I have.

I have rated this 2 only 'cuz the first 20 minutes seemed like I was in for some really tense horror ahead. What an idiotic and infuriating movie this turned out to be! The lead characters are so stupid you just hope for them to be dead anyway with the bad because you've stopped caring about any of them long ago. No story, no logic, zero horror, only 100% disgust. Don't trust these high ratings from people - this is an absolutely atrociously made movie. I am going to stay away from movies made by this director in the future. A good horror movie is when you identify with the victim, his fears, his insecurities etc. This one had nothing at all going for it from start to finish.

I've seen a lot of horror films and I swear, none so far was disgusting until I decided to watch this movie! It was very dark and hideous, it actually reminded me a bit of Carrie like how the girl Lola was denied from Brent on saying no to being his date for prom. It was very creepy, disturbing and destroying to know that her father got involved in her horrific actions. He must've sexually abused her as a child, no wonder she is messed up but if that was the case, then she should know how deeply wrong that trying to kill someone is cruel. I would love to know this girls back story in the film! Especially her poor mother, god what has they done to her?! I was very surprised to see there was no police in this but only a police car which made no sense to me! At least Brent survived and went back to Holly. Of course, Lola being killed for being a monster...

A top notch sadistic and twisted Aussie horror film that keeps you thinking "What next?". Great acting, great storyline and well produced. Well worth seeing this one! Especially for fans of horror movies. Xavier Samuel and Robin McLeavy put in stellar performances. You really feel for Xavier when he is put through such a horrific series of events. And I couldn't believe Jessica McNamee was the Gothic character in the sub plot! I was really surprised when I saw her name appear on the credits. I have seen her in the Aussie TV show Packed to the Rafters, but she really got into character in this movie. All up is was a movie that you walk out of and know that it has affected you in some way - which a good movie should. If you walk out of a movie and just forget about it - that is a sign of a poor movie. But this film certainly did not lack in that department! I will never think the same way about Kasey Chambers' song "Am I Not pretty enough".