This 98%-Rated Splatter Horror From Down Under Proves That Australia Does Extreme Best
The director grounds this bloody gem in a bitter story about teenage depression, guilt, and the fear of loneliness.
If you're looking for a trashy, spine-tingling flick, look no further than Australia. Since the 1970s, Australian filmmakers have defied the boundaries of what's acceptable onscreen – Sean Byrne's The Loved Ones is the perfect example.
This brutal yet touching splatter movie is beloved in select circles but has remained unnoticed by a wider audience.
Treading familiar tropes of youth cinema and horror, the director created a roller coaster of brutal violence and self-harm that would make even the most seasoned genre fan twitch.
What Is 'The Loved Ones' About?
Brent is the hottest boy in his senior class and sits at the top of the school hierarchy. Lola, who lives with her father outside the town, is the local outsider. She is frighteningly obsessed with the color pink, pop hits, and boys.
When Brent receives Lola's invitation to prom, he declines politely but firmly – this refusal sets off a terrifying chain of events.
Lola and her overprotective father hatch an elaborate revenge plan. Every year, he kidnaps a schoolboy for his daughter and throws her a prom at home complete with cake, music, a dress, and a torture ceremony.
'The Loved Ones' Is a Social Satire in the Guise of a Wild and Cruel Horror Flick
The Loved Ones is not just mindless torture porn – director Sean Byrne presents a poignant social satire wrapped in a gory package. High school proms can be a major challenge for self-esteem, especially for girls who find themselves without a date to the most important event of the year.
The movie explores the social pressures high school students typically face, exposing the deepest fears and anxieties of puberty.
A rejected outcast and her traumatized father become a grotesque reflection of the toxic idea that love must be earned.
'The Loved Ones' Is the Gold Standard of Australian Trash Cinema
The Loved Ones is a wickedly funny yet chilling film. Byrne masterfully balances genres – just as you start to care about a character, an absurd detail sends you into a fit of laughter.
The film echoes Brian De Palma's Carrie, but the Australian version is far more cynical and merciless – blood flows freely, torture is grotesquely inventive, and the ending offers no easy escape.
The Loved Ones is the perfect flick for horror fans who love character-driven movies with shocking brutality and unexpectedly touching endings.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Loved Ones'?
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The Loved Ones has 98% from critics and 73% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.6/10.
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On Letterboxd, The Loved Ones scored 3.3/5.0.
Where to Watch 'The Loved Ones'?
The Loved Ones is available to buy or rent on Apple TV and Prime Video.
