Sean Byrne’s macabre kidnapping tale is like a demented blend of Misery and an 80s high school prom flick. “Byrne spills blood, boils brains and cannibalises naked teens with wicked energy.” — Screendaily
This instant horror mini-classic is by turns poignant, funny, grotesque, alarming, and finally very, very satisfying.
Screened as part of NZIFF 2010
The Loved Ones 2009
Sean Byrne’s macabre kidnapping tale is a demented blend of Misery and an 80s high school prom flick, as an angsty school stud muffin finds himself in a psychosexual scenario far worse than not finding a date for the big dance. Future Twilight heart-throb Xavier Samuel stars as Brent, a James Deanesque brooder who politely declines the invitation of classmate Princess to the school dance, and sets in motion a series of events that amplify the term ‘bad date’ to horrific new levels. At first Princess appears to be your typical rejected wallflower but when her bung Dad and sharp implements make their unwelcome appearance you realise that this twisted prom tale has other plans. Featuring an über-cool soundtrack, haunting visuals, striking production design, jaw-dropping violence and a young director who deftly handles the tricky tonal shifts from black comedy to high-octane horror. — AT