1. Plot Summary
“Killing Ground” follows Ian and Sam, a young couple who head out on a secluded New Year’s Eve camping trip in the Australian bush, hoping for a peaceful getaway. But their vacation takes a sinister turn when they stumble upon an abandoned tent — and later, a traumatized little child wandering alone in the woods. As they dig deeper, they discover that a terrible crime has already happened here, and they may become part of it. IMDb+2Roger Ebert+2
The story weaves between three different storylines — Ian & Sam’s present-day ordeal, a previously camping family that disappeared, and two men (German and Chook) whose dark presence looms in the outback. Roger Ebert+1
2. Notable Elements
- Tense, non-linear structure: Director Damien Power splits the narrative into intertwining timelines, gradually revealing what really happened to the first family. Roger Ebert+1
- Atmospheric cinematography: The Australian bush is shot beautifully yet ominously — lush landscapes feel both welcoming and dangerous. The Guardian+1
- Performances:
- Harriet Dyer (Sam) and Ian Meadows (Ian) give realistic performances, capturing fear, confusion and desperation. The Guardian
- Aaron Pedersen (German) and Aaron Glenane (Chook) are chilling as the menacing locals; their menace feels grounded, not just cartoonish. The Guardian+1
- Terrifying realism: Violence in Killing Ground is brutal and deeply unsettling, but it’s not overly stylized gore — many of the worst moments are implied, which often makes them more disturbing. CULTURE CRYPT
- Shortcomings: Some critics (e.g. Roger Ebert) argue that after the non-linear twist wears off, the film falls into horror-cliché territory. Roger Ebert
3. Themes and Messages
- Isolation and vulnerability: The remote bush location highlights how alone the main characters are — no help, no immediate rescue, just wide, indifferent land.
- Darkness in the wilderness: The Australian outback isn’t just a backdrop; it’s almost a character itself. The landscape’s beauty masks a deeper, more dangerous history. Kill Your Darlings
- Historical weight and guilt: The film briefly references a massacre of Indigenous people in the same area, hinting at a legacy of violence tied to the land. Kill Your Darlings
- Human evil vs. horror tropes: Instead of supernatural monsters, the threat comes from real people. It’s a horror rooted in human brutality.
- (Relation to tradition/holiday): While not exactly a holiday movie, the camping trip for New Year’s Eve plays into themes of renewal, escape, and confronting one’s past — only here, the “escape” is false, and the wilderness brings not refreshment, but horror.
4. Personal Impressions
I found Killing Ground to be a striking and deeply unsettling thriller. Its use of the outback, the realistic menace of the villains, and the slow reveal of what happened to the missing family all combine into a film that feels both raw and atmospheric.
What really worked for me: the non-linear storytelling kept me engaged, guessing, and increasingly uneasy. The performances are strong, especially Pedersen’s, whose menace feels very real. Also, the way violence is handled — not glorified, but horrifying — gives the film weight.
On the downside: after you piece together the timelines, some moments feel familiar (camp horror tropes), and a few character arcs could be deeper. For some viewers, the non-linear structure might feel like a trick rather than a strength.
5. Audience Recommendations
You’ll especially like this film if:
- You enjoy survival horror or “backwoods terror” stories.
- You’re a fan of psychological/thriller horror more than supernatural.
- You appreciate atmospheric horror where setting and tension matter more than jump scares.
You might not like it if:
- You prefer clear, linear narratives and strong character backstories.
- You don’t like implied or realistic violence (rather than stylized gore).
- You dislike slow-build horror or films that lean on horror’s bleak, cruel side.
6. Conclusion & Rating
In conclusion: Killing Ground is a powerful, brutally realistic horror-thriller. It doesn’t shy away from violence, but uses it to underscore how vulnerable people are when isolated and exposed. While not flawless, it’s a very strong debut from Damien Power, and one of the more memorable Australian horrors in recent years.
My rating: ★★★★☆ (4.0 out of 5)
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