Wolf Creek
****
Wolf Creek is quite the divisive, polarizing film. When it
took to the horror scene, I recall the imdb horror board quite loaded with
threads and posts either defending it or proclaiming it overrated. I kept
reading comments on how it takes way too long to get going, while those like me
advocated the decision to develop the three characters, taking a look at their
direction, their goal to drive to a specific location, on a road trip that was
supposed to be fun and worthwhile, soon leading them straight into a nightmare.
If you just give them two minutes of exposition, then deliver them to the
killer to be butchered, we have no real reason to invest in their welfare.
These are just young adults with their life ahead of them. It is cliché, but
just the same, they have no idea what horrors await them. Why should they?
One thing you always read when Wolf Creek is talked about in
glowing terms in the performance of John Jarratt. He lays on the charm, is
certainly charismatic, and achieves a level of trust with his victims. That’s
why he’s so successful a psychopath. He kills whole families so his selection
process isn’t singularly a specific age or kind of victim. He seems to do this
for the fun of it; to gain the trust of those trapped in his “neck of the ‘back”,
offering the victims assistance, learning a bit about them, then when he gets
the itch to kill takes to them with a pleasure and relish. We see him from
start to finish; when it is time to kill, he doesn’t seem burdened by guilt or
conscience.
Obviously, director Greg McLean has the luxury of the
awesome Outback as a backdrop so he can use the atmosphere of the setting—in
how it is idyllic, but at the same time ominous—to illustrate just how it could
be possible for Jarratt to be so successful.
This film is liable to piss some viewers off. It allows
Jarratt to mock a victim who believes she’s about to get away, with him shooting
her tire out, then getting out of his car with a cocky arrogance because he is
in complete control. She’s a bloody mess, her car flipping and all, and he can
take his time, survey his damage, and finish her off as if her were taking out
a dying kangaroo. There’s a moment where she’s driving intensely at quite a
speed and pulls up next to her wagging his tongue like a jerk kid. Because we
are right there near her and seeing him from her perspective, it becomes a bit
more intense. That’s quite camera position. McLean shoots it like a major car
chase in an action film, with the outcome not to her benefit. I think the
ending not long after this will enrage quite a few because the killer is able
to evade those out to find him and the girls aren’t found.
The Outback is quite
an advantage for him, too. He knows it so well that locating him isn’t exactly
easy. He knows where to hide his place of refuge out in the ‘back and that’s a
scary thought, really. Even scarier is that Jarratt is so elusive, there’s no
proof he even exists to the local authorities. And he has quite a space to hide
bodies—many bodies—and if caught, I imagine the Jarratt character might be considered
the Australian version of David Parker Ray, absent the possible sexual deviancy…just
substitute New Mexico with the ‘back and there you go. Where do you begin to look
in the Outback for any number of bodies? Seeing Jarratt’s place, all the “keepsakes”
of his many victims (the camcorder and tapes, the pictures, the vehicles, etc),
found by his future victim, it has us right there in his lair, observing his “treasures”,
his spoils…major unsettling. Truly haunting is that he could continue to add to
his increasing body count, his silhouetted figure and the Outback still
bedfellows.
Road Trip...
This film is liable to piss some viewers off. It allows
Jarratt to mock a victim who believes she’s about to get away, with him shooting
her tire out, then getting out of his car with a cocky arrogance because he is
in complete control. She’s a bloody mess, her car flipping and all, and he can
take his time, survey his damage, and finish her off as if her were taking out
a dying kangaroo. There’s a moment where she’s driving intensely at quite a
speed and pulls up next to her wagging his tongue like a jerk kid. Because we
are right there near her and seeing him from her perspective, it becomes a bit
more intense. That’s quite camera position. McLean shoots it like a major car
chase in an action film, with the outcome not to her benefit. I think the
ending not long after this will enrage quite a few because the killer is able
to evade those out to find him and the girls aren’t found. 
The Outback is quite
an advantage for him, too. He knows it so well that locating him isn’t exactly
easy. He knows where to hide his place of refuge out in the ‘back and that’s a
scary thought, really. Even scarier is that Jarratt is so elusive, there’s no
proof he even exists to the local authorities. And he has quite a space to hide
bodies—many bodies—and if caught, I imagine the Jarratt character might be considered
the Australian version of David Parker Ray, absent the possible sexual deviancy…just
substitute New Mexico with the ‘back and there you go. Where do you begin to look
in the Outback for any number of bodies? Seeing Jarratt’s place, all the “keepsakes”
of his many victims (the camcorder and tapes, the pictures, the vehicles, etc),
found by his future victim, it has us right there in his lair, observing his “treasures”,
his spoils…major unsettling. Truly haunting is that he could continue to add to
his increasing body count, his silhouetted figure and the Outback still
bedfellows.
When times for the trio were better..
Road Trip...
...to Hell
Storage
Wolf Creek, The Devil's Rejects, Chaos, and its kindred were the next generation--the spawn--of Last House on the Left and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. These films featured outlaws, psychopaths with no mercy to those they prey upon, who seemed to enjoy dueling out punishment for the amusement of it, further adding insult to injury by poking fun at victims, provoking and belittling, chuckling at the disadvantage of those most unfortunate. Jarratt follows after the likes of the Firefly clan, just jerking the chain of the girls in Wolf Creek. He has that disturbing swagger and "It's Party Time!!!" attitude. A screaming "sheila", a little bloody and more than a bit freaked out, exchanging words with Jarratt--who is benefiting from having drugged her--the girl tied to a pole and belting out as her friend looks on worriedly from outside. 
Of course, even at an advantage--rifle of Jarratt's in one of their possession--the victims are unsuccessful. Even as he is shot, and the girls seem to get away, all does not end well for them. The night and the hazardous area (there's quite a drop off that the girls, driving hurriedly in Jarratt's truck after snatching his keys while he appears unconscious) are not kind to the girls. The chase is a staple in the slasher genre. It looks as if it is possible that they'll get away, but all for naught, Wolf Creek follows the mould of its predecessors and the girls come close to escape; it is all a tease. Jarratt will not be denied.Wolf Creek
A car that won't start. It seems like this particular tourist spot is itself a harbinger of doom. It is the perfect set up for a killer. He knows tourists will be passing through. He knows that people will abandon their cars to spend some time at Wolf Creek Crater. He can go under their hood and remove a part, leaving until late into the night. He can work his performance on them, get the prey to smile at his seemingly warm personality and friendly offerings of assistance. He'll even tow their vehicle to his "shop" and try to repair the car problem for them. Earn their trust, spike their drink while around a toasty fire, and have playthings to torture and kill. It has happened time and again. His storage proves that. Lots of families and friends have traveled through and become notches on his kill belt. Jarratt does lose one. A potential victim gives him the slip. Freeing himself "from off the cross", the young man suffers through it. Pulling his arms from the nails pinning him, this young man will persevere despite the elements, but his details to the police fall on deaf ears and Jarratt remains a killer at large. More tourists will pass through to visit Wolf Creek Crater. Jarratt will be waiting for them.
Comments
Post a Comment