The Horseman

Kastriossios is clearly eyeing the global horror market with his debut feature.  Pick n' mixing elements of Hardcore, Dead Man's Shoes, Get Carter, and Hostel, The Horseman ain't no original. 

But, opening with the torture of a scumbag low in the chain of those responsible for the dirty movie (a scene based on a short made to get full-funding), the director clearly abides by Roger Corman's "something outrageous every ten minutes" school of filmmaking.

Subtlety isn't one of the movie's strengths - less we miss the biblical reference of the title, the avenging dad is called Christian (name helpfully emblazoned on his overalls), and his steed is a white transit van.

The punishment Chris dispenses with his trusty toolbox also whiffs of Old Testament- attaching fishhooks to the unmentionables that violated his daughter and inserting a football pump down a porn merchant's member would have Mel Gibson reaching for his directorial To Do list.

What rescues The Horseman from one-note carnage is the dose of humanity injected, courtesy of Christian's relationship with Alice (Marohasy), a self-harming runaway daughter substitute in need of saving.

While Kastriossios doesn't have the budget for grandstanding gore effects, he compensates for with frequent fight scenes, energetically performed by the mixed ability cast, and a sharp eye for bleak Australian landscapes.

He also undercuts the viciousness with a nice line in inky black humour, the best gag being the revelation of why Chris was sent the porn tape in the first place.

Spinning into the realms of nightmare for the final act as Chris and Alice are dumped off at the sadistic Big Boss' house by a dirty cop, The Horseman tips over into unintentional comedy as the can-do dad negotiates ever more unlikely scrapes and near-misses while dispensing justice.

A footnote revenge movie, but never dull and marking Kastrissios as a grindhouse merchant to watch.

Rob Daniel