The Loved Ones

My Grade:  A-

Other than found footage films, torture films have become very prevalent in the horror world. It’s sometimes even tough to call them horrors, though, because they aren’t actually scary; they are simply disturbingly disgusting. And they all seem to be the same. Sean Byrne’s feature directorial debut, The Loved Ones (2009), is not just like the rest. It actually hit the Toronto International Film Festival in 2009 and won the People’s Choice Award. It hasn’t won any other awards, but certainly could have. It may have been overlooked because it was released in Australia, or because it is a very low budget indie horror... which are a dime a dozen.

Popular high schooler, Brent (Xavier Samuel), gets asked to the end of school dance by the very strange Lola (Robin McLeavy); he immediately says 'no'. She doesn’t deal with this very well. That’s an understatement because she seeks a brand of revenge that rivals any revenge ever taken in a film... ever. This film redefines sick and twisted. Will Brent be able to escape? Or will Lola get the revenge she seeks?

If you can get past the disturbing nature of Lola and her father’s plan... which is a big if... then you will thoroughly enjoy this film. The most memorable thing about it is how it’s shot. Lola’s version of the end of school dance is shot exactly like you would see a real school dance shot in the movies. And the way Byrne’s camera treats Brent and Lola evokes feelings of a sappy love story. But this is a very twisted story. It’s a wonderful paradox that is extremely well done.

Most importantly, however, Robin McLeavy is disturbingly good as Lola. She brings a childlike innocence to the character while doing some of the most disgusting and terrible things you will ever see someone do on film. This just adds to the gut wrenching paradox that defines this film. Be on the lookout for more of Robin McLeavy because she has a promising career ahead of her if she can be this good in other types of films.