Loop Track (2023) Review – A Paranoid and Pacy Kiwi Forest Thriller
Loop Track: Quick Verdict
The Verdict: A masterclass in paranoid tension that manages to be both a compelling character study and a nail-biting survival thriller. Loop Track succeeds by placing the audience directly into the anxious headspace of its protagonist, keeping the “threat” ambiguous enough to make you question the narrative until the very end. While the final act takes a bold and potentially divisive turn, the journey through the New Zealand bush is expertly paced and beautifully shot. Thomas Sainsbury delivers a multi-hyphenate triumph, anchoring the film with a performance that balances nervous energy with genuine pathos. It is a 3 star hidden gem that punches well above its weight, even if it leaves a few frustrating question marks in its wake.
Details: Director: Thomas Sainsbury | Cast: Thomas Sainsbury, Hayden J. Weal, Tane Williams-Accra, Kate Simmonds | Runtime: 1h 35m | Release Date: 1 December 2023
Best for: Fans of slow-burn psychological thrillers, lovers of isolated forest settings, and those who enjoy being kept in the dark until the final moments.
Worth noting: The film was shot in the Waitākere Ranges near Auckland, providing the lush, claustrophobic greenery that defines the movie’s atmosphere.
Where to Watch: Amazon🛒
Rating: 3/5 Stars
(Superb tension, excellent scenery, slightly frustrating lack of character exposition)
Welcome to Knockout Horror. We are checking out some sunny movies this month to escape the January winter blues. We are also using this as an opportunity to catch up on a few movies we missed over the past couple of years, one of which is the film we are looking at today. New Zealand horror, thriller, Loop Track from 2023. Let’s head deep into the Kiwi forests.
I know this movie raises a few questions and leaves a lot of people feeling a bit short changed. So I do my best to explain the ending to Loop Track in this article that you should definitely check out if you feel you need answers. My reviews are spoiler-free but my ending explained articles, obviously, aren’t so keep that in mind.
Highlights
Character driven thriller
Before we start I am going to suggest that you avoid the trailer for this movie because it is full of spoilers. Loop Track follows the story of Ian (Thomas Sainsbury). A socially awkward man escaping his life and, seemingly, leaving it all behind.
“What starts as a somewhat vague character driven tale… quickly turns into a paranoid and antsy game of ‘watch the shadows’ as our group trek through the gorgeous forests of New Zealand.”
Keen to avoid arousing suspicion and hoping to avoid interacting with people. He heads up a hiking trail alone on the way to nowhere. It isn’t long before a fellow hiker, Nicky (Hayden J. Weal) catches up to him and, despite Ian’s objections, forms a twosome. The pair later meet with an Australian couple hiking the trail and together they form a group. Little does the group realise that Ian’s paranoia and constant concerns belie the true horror that awaits them.
What starts as a somewhat vague character driven tale about a nervous man on the run from his daily responsibilities. Quickly turns into a paranoid and antsy game of “watch the shadows” as our group trek through the gorgeous forests of New Zealand. It’s genuinely enjoyable stuff and thoroughly tense throughout. The questions surrounding Ian’s bizarre behaviour and the constant lack of trust he displays keeps things on edge right from the start.
A character study of a nervous man
It is Ian’s paranoia that is the main driving force for the movie’s more thrilling elements. We are never quite sure of what it is he thinks he sees and never quite sure of whether his paranoia is a result of his ailing mental health. Whatever it is, he is sure that he sees something following them and he is experiencing tremendous fear as a result. We, the viewer, see only shadows and vague ones at that. But we know that Ian is seeing something at practically every turn.
Ian’s fellow hikers play something of a foil to his consistently wound up nature. With Nicky’s braggadocios behaviour offering up a ton of laughs and adding to the somewhat odd couple nature of their pairing. The group are reluctant to believe Ian and the viewer is placed among them as a casual observer. We can’t be sure that Ian is actually seeing anything of note and we are lead to be equally as distrusting of him as the rest of the hikers. It’s a fascinating dynamic that pays off in something of a surprising way.
An unexpected conclusion
To say that this is a difficult movie to talk about without spoiling anything would be an understatement. Even properly categorising the movie would lead to something of a spoiler. But I think it is safe to say that things don’t really play out in a way that many will expect.
“Loop Track feels extremely different to its genre brethren and it deserves commending for that. I doubt a large percentage of the audience will accurately predict the direction the movie goes in.”
Thomas Sainsbury does a nice job of leading the viewer down one path before suddenly taking them down another.
I doubt that a large percentage of the audience will accurately predict the direction the movie goes in. And many might be surprised purely by how seriously the topic in question is handled. There aren’t a great deal of movies like Loop Track that approach the subject matter from a very character centric perspective. Loop Track feels extremely different to its genre brethren and it deserves commending for that.
Will annoy some viewers
The fact that Loop Track manages to pull the wool over the viewer’s eyes for a decent portion of the movie is kind of surprising. Much of that is achieved through the ambiguity of Ian’s personal situation. We just don’t know that much about him and we have little to no idea about his motivations. Why is he here? What happened to him? Why is he so nervous?
Unfortunately, this is where Loop Track stumbles a little. It never really manages to address any of these questions. Ian is just the way he is and there isn’t any exposition beyond a few sentences. This won’t be a problem for some and the story doesn’t really end up depending on us knowing these things. But, for many, they will watch the credits roll feeling thoroughly unsatisfied.
There are a lot of question marks here and the characters can feel poorly fleshed out, Ian in particular. When you ask a viewing audience to invest into a character, they are going to expect to have that character’s nature and tendencies elaborated on. Something which Sainsbury goes to very little effort to do. It’s not a major issue for me but, for some people, it will leave a bitter taste in their mouths.
Well acted throughout
Acting is pretty decent throughout. Thomas Sainsbury not only writes and directs but also stars as Ian in a performance that deserves plenty of praise. An argument could be made that he over eggs the performance a little. Leaning a bit too much into Ian’s nervousness and creating an almost cartoon-like interpretation of the character.
“Sainsbury has managed to craft a really effective thriller that keeps you guessing. The pacing is extremely tight, rarely letting up and keeping the viewer engaged throughout.”
He is generally really decent and rarely slips up. Hayden J. Weal is great fun as Nicky, getting plenty of laughs and bringing a great deal of levity to the movie. Everyone else is solid, as well.
Direction is fantastic. There are some brilliant shots of the forest. There is fantastic usage of lighting to increase tension and the pacing is extremely tight. Rarely letting up and keeping the viewer engaged throughout. Sainsbury has managed to craft a really effective thriller that keeps you guessing. The reveal at the end is going to leave a few people disappointed, it’s a bit of a weird choice all things considered. But I think it works pretty well, despite that fact. I might have preferred a more psychological horror based outcome but it is what it is.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The Good
- Atmospheric Dread: The film expertly uses the New Zealand wilderness to create a sense of vast, open-air claustrophobia.
- Tight Pacing: Sainsbury maintains a brisk speed that ensures the paranoia never feels stagnant or repetitive.
- Acting: The central performances are strong, particularly the chemistry between the socially anxious Ian and the boisterous Nicky.
The Bad
- Lack of Backstory: We learn very little about Ian’s past or motivations, which may leave some viewers feeling disconnected from his plight.
- Unanswered Questions: The film chooses to leave several significant plot points unexplained, potentially frustrating those who like concrete resolutions.
The Ugly: The “Hidden” Reveal. The final shift in genre and tone is so sharp that it may alienate viewers who were invested in the more grounded, psychological aspects of the first hour.
Should You Watch Loop Track?
Yes, especially if you appreciate thrillers that take risks. While it isn’t a perfect movie and the ending will certainly spark debate, the tension and craftsmanship on display are top-tier for an indie production. It is a solid 3 star recommendation that serves as a fantastic showcase for New Zealand’s filmmaking talent.
Our Scoring Philosophy: A Fair Fight
Horror is a genre that thrives thanks to indie film makers and low budget creators. At Knockout Horror, we firmly believe that every movie that we review deserves a fair fight. That's why we grade on a curve. Our star ratings are all about context, judging a film on what it achieves with the resources it has.
A 4-star rating for a scrappy indie horror made for $10,000 is a testament to its ingenuity and raw power. A 4-star rating for a $100 million blockbuster means it delivered on its epic promises. We don't compare them side-by-side; we celebrate success in every weight class, from the back-alley brawler to the heavyweight champion. Please keep this in mind when considering star ratings.
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