Director: Sean Byrne
Producers: Michael Boughen, Mark Lazarus
Starring: Xavier Samuel, Robin McLeavy, Victoria Thaine, Richard Wilson, Jessica McNamee
MPAA Rating: R
Running time: 84 min.

This, I’m told, is why the midnight madness program exists. You will be hard pressed in 2009 to find a more fun experience in the cinema than at a jazzed up crowd in a theater screening The Loved Ones. Part Misery, part Texas Chainsaw Massacre, part Carrie part Prom Night and even a little bit of Motel Hell thrown in for good measure are all of the ingredients needed for a fantastic horror spectacle that combines action, suspense, thrills and laughter. Of course to mix the ingredients together to get the recipe to come out right you need skilled film makers and a capable set of cast members. At a near Sam Raimi/David Lynch level of vision and charisma, director Sean Bynre and his crew have put together a stunning spectacle that will have everyone howling in their seats – either from revulsion, laughter or amazement… or a beautiful combination of all three.

With the school dance about to take place in a small town, teenagers everyone are preparing for their date or scrambling to find one. For young, good-looking, rebellious teen with a troubled past, Brent has his date all lined up; turning down dates from others left and right. As the hour to the dance draws closer, Brent finds himself “sidetracked” and having not the date of his dreams, but one of nightmares. To delve further into the story would certainly spoil things and going in with an open mind simply expecting fun is the way to walk into this one.

While the basic premise of the movie seems fairly conventional and despite the fact that I could see every turn and plot detail coming from miles away, I was amazed at how much it didn’t matter. The tension built up by skilled editing and the creative way in which each shot was crafted delivered delight on every level.

Though clearly low budget, The Loved Ones proves that dear old Dad was right: money isn’t everything. Finding quality actors apparently is not too difficult a task “down under.” Though our lead has very, very little dialogue, his charisma and expressive nature convey all manner of emotive responses. From fear to indifference or rage to love, Xavier Samuel makes the most of what his character, Brent, is given with the script. Of course having quite the helping hand from the surrounding cast makes things easier and while each member of the cast is more than solid, it is the role of Lola, played by Emily Blunt look-a-like, Robin McLeavy that absolutely owns the screen. Between her and her father “sidekick,” the movie takes off to stratospher proportions once they make their appearance. And it never lets up from there.

With a knock out soundtrack that would make Tarantino proud (maybe even jealous), these film makers have thrown together a familiar concoction and added their own flavor of sustained suspense, intertwining story lines and tension relief just when it’s needed. But most of all, The Loved Ones has some of the finest and most memorable shots from any action/horror film you’re likely to see this year – and maybe next year as well. Sure there’s a few typical blood-splattered, Saw-like shots to please us all, but more importantly is the use of long, steady takes that not only look fantastic, but also mount the tension to just the right level before delivering the proverbial payload. Creepy action sequences (one very reminiscent of Neil Marshall’s Descent) are refreshingly devoid of shaky cam and instead focus on lighting and color and set design.

Yes, “refreshing” is the perfect word here. Finally a horror film that makes good on its promise of fun without being gimmicky, eye-rolling or pandering. It’s just a Drag me to Hell level of good times in the theater that should keep horror fans coming back to this director time and time again. A highlight experience of the TIFF Midnight Madness program to be sure.