In the Australian Outback, Jake (Bill Kerr) babysits his grandson at night. It is a peaceful evening for the two until a massive boar, aka a Razorback, suddenly attacks him and his grandson. As a result of the attack, Jake is left with a broken leg, and his grandson is killed. Jake makes a haunting vow: he will kill every Razorback in sight until he gets revenge. After the horrifying night, Jake is tried in court, where he retells the horrific events. While what he says is true, no one believes him.
After two years have passed, we are introduced to an animal campaigner named Beth Winters (Judy Morris) and her husband, Carl (Gregory Harrison). The two are from New York, but Beth travels to the Australian Outback for work, where she reports on the many deaths of kangaroos. Beth is passionate about expressing her fears that this lovable Australian animal may become extinct. While working, something terrible happens to Beth, and her body vanishes into the night. When Beth doesn’t return, Carl gets worried. He packs his bags and travels to Australia, searching for answers. However, he soon discovers the ultimate Australian creature who only desires to hunt and draw blood.
Razorback is a haunting horror film and a thriller. The horror aspect is quite a lot of fun and is based on the idea that a large Razorback is roaming around the Outback, violently murdering many people. The Outback itself and some of the side characters appearing throughout the film are just as scary, disturbing, and creepy as the Razorback itself. Thanks to Director Russell Mulcahy, a wondrous world is on display here. Visually, I loved every moment of this film, and the atmosphere created successfully sets up what many have deemed to be a Jaws film on land. The sound mixing here should also be praised. I found the audio clever and stunning at various times, adding more tension and unsettling vibes as the film progressed.
Along with all the horrors, there’s a fun thriller aspect. The storyline and even the kills at various times are highly unpredictable and chilling, and I was surprised at multiple points. Following key characters only to find they could be the next victim always kept me excited and engaged. The Razorback is also kept off-screen for a good portion (again, like Jaws), but a beautiful build-up makes the final showdown exciting and impacting, leaving audiences on a high.
Overall, there are many reasons why I find Razorback enjoyable. It’s a fun horror film that introduces a refreshing killer threat. The atmosphere is creepy and haunting with clever visuals and audio design, successfully turning the Australian Outback into a disturbing nightmare. While I enjoyed the world here, I also enjoyed the storyline with its many twists and turns, unpredictable scenes, and character outcomes. Upon my first watch, this film exceeded my expectations.
7.9/10
30th June 2023
Written by Peter Walkden
WALKDEN ENTERTAINMENT
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