VOD of the Dead - LOOP TRACK (2023)
Mental health is an issue that permeates almost every genre, and given the rise in de-stigmatization of discussing mental health more openly it is no surprise we keep seeing the horror genre use it as a foundation for cinematic terror. The results are mixed. Some films are elegantly and eerily capable of capturing the very real trauma, darkness, and occasional madness that juxtapose horror and our own mental wellbeing. Others use mental health as a crutch to prop up the story, or even as a red herring. These latter examples are often superficial in their understanding of how mental health relates to horror, and usually are more entertaining than introspectively and intrinsically terrifying. Loop Track, released today from Dark Sky Films from writer, director and star Thomas Sainsbury is a film where the main character may or may not be imagining things. The question is, is this trip worth taking or is it best left in our imagination?
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
A four-day journey turns into a fight for survival. This is a psychological thriller about Ian, who wants to get as far away from humanity as possible, into the New Zealand bush. Some other individuals get attached to him. And he has the feeling that they are being followed. Is that real though?
HOW IS IT?
Loop Track is one of a handful of films dealing with nature, people, and mental health. Interestingly enough, many of these films are coming from Canada and New Zealand (where Loop Track was produced) which begs the question; is everything okay in these countries? The idea that nature can turn against you, combined with paranoia and unchecked mental health sets a table that is as messy as it is surprising. The best parts of Loop Track are actually the ones with the least amount of genre-trappings, whereas the bits that lean into the horror elements come too late in the game to have much of an effect.
Ian (Thomas Sainsbury) is depressed, paranoid, and hiking alone. It is unclear if Ian is here to end it all or simply just escape the trappings of city life, but it is clear from the onset that Ian is an anxious guy. His journey into the “bush” is interrupted by the arrival of Nicky (Hayden J. Weal) who is the polar opposite of Ian; outgoing, adventurous, and unafraid of pretty much everything. Playing out more like an odd couple episode, they are joined by another couple and the inclusion of more bodies makes Ian even more nervous. So much so, that the longer they are together the more wary they all become of Ian and he of them. This balancing act between paranoid delusion, misplaced fear, and comedic relief is underscored by a subtle tone of dread that something may be hunting them in the bush. The mystery eventually gets revealed, albeit quite late into the runtime, and while we don’t go into spoilers we are sure that you are not going to see everything coming…for better or worse.
Loop Track thrives when we have all our characters on screen. They each have a unique personality that has some overlap, but is mostly diverse enough to give you a good sense of their characters without having to invest heavily in backstory and context setting. The cast is all bang on in their roles, which helps the sell their characters, with special attention to Nicky. He’s loud, annoying, bothersome, and also completely genuine as a good guy. The banter between Ian and Nicky has a similar tone to that of Shrek and Donkey, a pair that shouldn’t work but absolutely do. The issue though, is that the horror takes a backseat for most of the film until the last 15 minutes. While there are sprinkles of danger and hints at what’s to come, it is never enough to convince you that there is any imminent danger. Some of this is on account of Ian’s character and his general paranoia and fear of basically everything. Even though we are led to believe he struggles with mental health, it is never clear why or specific to a diagnosis. Given so much time is spent on telling the audience Ian’s character is off, it feels like the mental health elements ultimately serve as a minor plot device and not much else. This doesn’t take the film down per se, but once you get to the climax you’ll be left wondering why you didn’t get more of this sooner. It doesn’t necessarily hurt the pacing so much as it just keeps you wondering, “is this a horror movie?”. In the end, Loop Track works because of great performances and well-scripted characters. Even though the end really is a treat, it feels tacked on rather than an organic part of the story.
LAST RITES
For a horror/thriller, Loop Track is more of the latter and less of the former. While the ending does deliver the goods and the performances are delightful, it may not appeal to horror die-hards. Nevertheless, it is 90-minutes well spent and something you won’t be upset about watching.
THE GORY DETAILS
Directed By
Written By
Starring
Where can you watch it?
Loop Track is out NOW VOD/Digital Platforms from Dark Sky Films.
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