Aussie film transcends viewer expectations

By Connor de Brueler

Connor de Brueler Opinion EditorAustralians are not exactly known for producing what art snobs call “fine cinema.” 

The stereotype for a quintessential Aussie flick is a low-budget movie that takes place on a road trip. It includes plenty of violence, degenerate thugs and at least one house has to explode.  

First-time director Steven Kastrissios has created a film that meets all these requirements for the stereotype.

But this film transcends B-movie status and should soon be considered one of the best Australian underground films of all time. 

The film is called “The Horseman.” 

“The Horseman” (2008) is a revenge thriller about a 45-year-old man named Christian, played by Peter Marshall.  His 19-year-old daughter, Jesse, has turned up dead after a drug overdose.

Christian later discovers she was involved with an amateur pornography syndicate and she may have been drugged and left for dead. 

Christian confronts the head of the distribution company and finds out who was with Jesse before she died. 

He then embarks on a brutal rampage, disguised as a municipally hired exterminator for the state of Queensland. 

The cinematography experiments with shades of gray, black and blue, giving the film a soggy, worn down feeling. 

The acting is tremendously well done.

Nearly everyone has to get beaten up or burst into tears at one point in the story. 

There isn’t a single scene, however, that comes off as cheesy, despite the low-budget status. 

It’s also astonishing to know most of the actors weren’t professional. 

“The Horseman” is pretty violent, but it isn’t violent in a humorously excessive way as many American films, such as “Machete” and “Inglorious Bastards.” 

The violence in “The Horseman” is emotional and realistic. 

It isn’t for everyone, but those who appreciate genuine tension and terrific acting will find themselves compelled by the almost Shakespearian drama. 

The protagonist, Christian, eventually meets a young runaway from Brisbane trying to hitch a ride at a truck stop. 

She is able to offer him a second chance at parenting. Christian finally finds the redemption he could not find through violence. 

“The Horseman” was released on several underground circuits in Australia and New Zealand two years ago, but only recently has it crossed the Pacific to limited U.S. screenings. 

The DVD is also available in retail. 

I didn’t think I wanted to watch something with such a depressing storyline when I saw this film’s advertisement in a horror-themed magazine. 

Against my better judgment, I watched the beginning and was instantly hooked into the well-paced and well-crafted story. 

“The Horseman” is definitely worth seeing for those who aren’t adverse to watching an intense nail-biter with a dash of gritty violence.