Review published 13th July 2026
Watch the official trailer.
The Premise
Set in Australia in 1986, Penny Lane Is Dead follows a close group of friends planning a fun getaway at a holiday home. The group includes Penny (Bailey Spalding), Toni (Tahlee Fereday), and Amy (Alexandra Jensen). However, what is supposed to be a memorable time away with friends quickly spirals out of control. Inviting herself along to the gathering is Penny’s cousin, Kat (Sophia Wright-Mendelsohn). Penny and her family are well aware that Kat is constantly getting herself into trouble and is a consistently bad influence. Penny’s mother even expresses concern that Kat will try to force her way into the girls’ holiday plans.
When Kat arrives, Penny, Toni, and Amy are understandably unimpressed by her rude and abrasive behaviour. Kat brings cupcakes and encourages the trio to eat them, but each cupcake contains a cruel and insulting message aimed at one of the girls. After eating hers, Penny suddenly collapses to the floor, and it becomes apparent that Kat has drugged her. With Toni and Amy still standing, Kat decides to finally exact revenge on Penny for reasons that are initially unclear. What is evident, however, is that Kat has resentment and anger towards her cousin. Thankfully for Kat, she won’t be carrying out her vengeance alone. Joining her are her boyfriend Angus (Ben O’Toole) and his two mates, Merrick (Steve Le Marquand) and Rodowski (Fletcher Humphrys). However, when events spiral out of control, a bloodbath begins, and the question quickly becomes: who will still be alive by the end?
A Love Letter To Grindhouse Horror
Penny Lane Is Dead is best described as a horror film and, without venturing into spoiler territory, let’s just say that if you enjoy gruesome violence, shocking kills, and sheer mayhem, you’re in for a real treat. The film is written and directed by Mia Kate Russell, whose previous work includes M is for Muff from The ABCs of Death 2 and Liz Drives from Nightmare Radio: The Night Stalker (2023). Russell has also directed several short films and worked extensively in the makeup department, including on the recent Australian action thriller Seven Snipers (2026). Importantly, the 1986 setting is more than a simple backdrop. The lack of modern technology, combined with the costumes, atmosphere, and punk-inspired attitude, helps create a world that feels ripped straight out of classic grindhouse cinema. Rather than simply paying tribute to exploitation films of the past, Penny Lane Is Dead often feels like a genuine grindhouse experience dropped into the modern era.
Bloody, Brutal, And Unpredictable
As a film, Penny Lane Is Dead is highly unpredictable. Good luck trying to predict the kills or many of the twists and turns along the way. The deaths are bloody, gruesome, and savage, delivering exactly what horror fans will be hoping for. While the opening takes some time introducing its characters and setting the stage, it doesn’t take long before the chaos begins. Once the film kicks into gear, the pacing remains smooth throughout, with no dull moments or unnecessary distractions slowing things down. What begins as a straightforward premise soon develops into a chaotic rollercoaster ride. By the time the third act arrives, the film fully embraces its grindhouse roots as the gore intensifies and the body count continues to climb. I couldn’t help but think of classic exploitation cinema while watching it. In many ways, this feels like a punk-rock horror film that is best enjoyed with a crowd willing to go along for the ride.
Strong Performances And Memorable Villains
Performance-wise, Tahlee Fereday is highly likeable, portraying a character who refuses to back down without a fight. Sophia Wright-Mendelsohn is excellent as Kat, delivering a performance that is completely unhinged, crazed, and outrageously entertaining. What makes Kat such a memorable villain is her unpredictability. One moment she is darkly funny, the next she is genuinely menacing, and throughout the film there is a constant sense that absolutely anything could happen whenever she is on screen. Wright-Mendelsohn creates a character who is both entertaining and unsettling in equal measure. Among the supporting cast, Steve Le Marquand once again proves why he remains such a charismatic screen presence, while Ben O’Toole is virtually unrecognisable, fully embracing his transformative role and clearly having an absolute blast.
Gore Effects Done Right
The practical makeup effects and gore work deserve special praise. The blood, injuries, and carnage feel suitably raw and convincing, helping to elevate the film’s brutal atmosphere. Horror fans looking for graphic practical effects will find plenty to enjoy here. Given Mia Kate Russell’s extensive background in makeup effects, the quality of the film’s gore should come as little surprise. Russell demonstrates a strong understanding of how to balance violence, entertainment, and visual creativity, helping many of the film’s bloodier moments leave a lasting impression.
One Twist Doesn’t Quite Land
While the horror and violence continue to escalate as the film progresses, I was slightly disappointed by one of the film’s major twists during the climax. Without revealing spoilers, it centers around an outcome that felt a little too predictable. While many of the film’s twists caught me completely off guard, this particular revelation was one I found myself anticipating for much of the runtime. As a result, what should have been one of the film’s biggest surprises didn’t land with quite the impact the filmmakers likely intended.
Final Thoughts
Penny Lane Is Dead succeeds as a fun, brutal, and relentlessly entertaining horror experience. Packed with Aussie slang, dark humour, and plenty of mayhem, the film gradually transforms from a character-driven setup into an absolutely wild, blood-soaked spectacle. What ultimately makes the film so enjoyable is its constant desire to push things further. Just when it feels as though the madness has reached its peak, the film finds another way to escalate the chaos. Combined with its colourful villains, practical gore effects, dark humour, and grindhouse attitude, the result is a horror film that feels determined to entertain at every opportunity. Tahee Fereday and Sophia Wright-Mendelsohn deliver standout performances, while the legendary Steve Le Marquand remains as charismatic as ever. Ben O’Toole disappears completely into his role, helping make the ensemble one of the film’s strengths. Bloody entertaining from start to finish, Penny Lane Is Dead is a love letter to grindhouse horror that knows exactly what audience it is playing to. While casual viewers may find the violence a little extreme, hardcore horror buffs should have an absolute blast.
Penny Lane is Dead (2025) will be Available in Australian Cinemas from July 23rd thanks to Umbrella!
About the Reviewer
Peter Walkden
Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.
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