A yuppie couple lost in a thick brush filled marsh seek refuge at an isolated farmhouse only to discover they’ve jumped out of the frying pan into the fire.
Storm Warning is a 2007 Australian horror film directed by Jamie Blanks, who is probably most famous for directing the 1998 cult slasher film Urban Legend.
Storm Warning revolves around Rob (Robert Taylor) and Pia (Nadia Farès) , a couple who are out for a day of sailing. As so often happens in horror movies, they find themselves lost in a heavy storm and end up on a desolate island. They come across a house which appears to be empty, but unfortunately there is no telephone or means of communication to the outside world. Not long after, the deranged redneck owners, Brett (Mathew Wilkinson), Jimmy (David Lyons), and their even more terrifying father Poppy (John Brumpton) return, and Rob and Pia realize a fear far beyond anything they have ever known. The couple are held captive and subjected to some degradation and humiliation. When Rob and Pia learn their kidnappers have no intention of ever letting them go alive, they finally understand they must do whatever it takes just to survive, and whatever it takes means going to a limit they could never have imagined.
Being a fan of Urban Legend (and hell, I even quite liked Valentine……..) Jamie Blanks shows off some excellent directing skills here. The cinematography, special effects and camera work were all way above my expectations for a low-budget horror movie, and it looked like a lot of time, care and attention went into making this film.
Acting wise, with just a small cast on show, everyone pulls their weight and plays their role perfectly here. We have the angry, violent brother and the quiet, shy brother who does as he is told. Poppy (who also played ‘Daddy’ in The Loved Ones) is terrifying, evil and if there is ever a character is a film that deserves some pain and punishment, he would be one you would pray it happens too. Our couple of troubled travellers are great, and I really wanted them to survive this ordeal. Pia in particular, it’s so nice to see a female character who is not only good to look at, but smart and methodical. Her decision when she learns that she will be raped by the rednecks is something I doubt you will have seen before (unless you have seen the movie Teeth – the director was actually gutted that movie came out before his!).
Lots of blood is spilled in Storm Warning. One kill in particular is one of the most memorable deaths I’ve ever seen, and wouldn’t look out of place in a SAW movie. All I’ll say is fish hooks, and lots of them! This scene looked so realistic, and again respect must go to the special effects team for making this scene look so good.
Not everything is perfect. It’s not really an original idea, and a couple of decisions made are questionable and a little far-fetched, but on the whole I’m struggling to find criticisms and I felt Storm Warning ticked all the boxes a horror fan such as myself needs.
In essence Storm Warning is a twisted take on Goldilocks And The Three Bears as a couple of city slickers come face to face with violence in the Aussie boondocks. It was supposed to be released in theatres by the Weinstein company, but due to delays and then the under performance of Hostel Part II, it saw a change of tactic that led to a lot of violent horror and torture films start going straight to DVD, and that’s what happened to Storm Warning. It’s a shame really as this film has more in common with older revenge flicks from the Seventies and Eighties than the backpacker torture films of recent years. There are lots of deliberate nods to films such as The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Deliverance, Straw Dogs and The Last House on the Left, but this doesn’t detract from the film at all. I really recommend Storm Warning if you like your thrillers tense, clever and a little bloody.
le0pard13
/ November 3, 2012Ooh, you’ve got me intrigued with this review, Tyson. Robert Taylor was cast in the A&E cable adaptation of Craig Johnson’s Walt Longmire novel series, titled LONGMIRE. The Aussie was quite good in first season this past year in the role of the Wyoming Sheriff. Besides the story you’ve laid out, seeing him in something else has my natural curiosity. I’ve added it to my Netflix queue. Many thanks.
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Tyson Carter
/ November 3, 2012Thanks my friend, glad I got you interested. Always hard recommending something violent as I know it’s not everyones cup of tea. But I am a horror site (supposedly!) so it’s nice to find one that slipped under the radar and is actually very good.
Let me know your thoughts if you ever catch it. 🙂
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atothewr
/ November 3, 2012Sounds interesting and one that I might enjoy if it is a throwback kind of movie.
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Tyson Carter
/ November 3, 2012Definitely a throwback, all nice and simple, nothing extravagant and just a fun film. Hope you like it if you ever catch it buddy.
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atothewr
/ November 3, 2012I might have to. I watched Bait and Triangle because of your reviews and I liked them both. Maybe this will be three for three.
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Tyson Carter
/ November 3, 2012Nice! I hope so, but you make it sound like I know what I’m talking about so lets leave it 2 out of 2 if you hate this 🙂
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Todd Benefiel
/ November 3, 2012Hey Tyson, you’ve piqued my interest as well; the revenge factor looks high, so it should be right up my alley. I’ll be starting my Netflix membership again soon, so I’ll be sure to check it out when I do.
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Tyson Carter
/ November 3, 2012Cool, thats great to hear! I love a good revenge film, and this one is done very well and has some unique moments. Hope you like it, you will have to let me know if you catch it.
Cheers for stopping by Todd 🙂
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theipc
/ November 3, 2012Good one TC! I like this movie and was just trying to remember the name of the other day!!
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theipc
/ November 3, 2012Jolly good, old Cock!
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Tyson Carter
/ November 3, 2012Cheers buddy, nice to see someone else has caught this. And you liked it, damn we are agreeing too much these days for my liking!
Loving your English accent……..racist 🙂 We don’t all speak like that. Just weirdos from London 🙂
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theipc
/ November 3, 2012LOL – it’s a line from the movie – I don’t remember when it happens but one of the brothers said that to the male hostage. You might have missed at while you were thinking of ways to try and slander my good name, no matter how much I try and help you be successful. : )
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Tyson Carter
/ November 3, 2012HAHA – had this movie saved in drafts for a while, but now you mention it……Also more fun trying to slander your name, obviously! 🙂
I appreciate your help, without you I would be nothing, I’m very grateful 🙂
What did you think of the fish hook scene? Perfect right?!
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theipc
/ November 3, 2012It’s been a while since I’ve seen it (I just remember cracking up at that line) (and that scene you reference in that picture of yours) so I’ve been wanting to watch it again – which is why i was trying to remember the name of it again. I don’t totally remember the fish hook scene really clearly but I remember liking this thing.
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Tyson Carter
/ November 3, 2012Hope you catch it again soon, I loved it even second time round after forgetting some things from my first viewing years ago. Definitely some dark humour in there, and whilst I wasnt sold totally on the ‘logistics??’ of the scene I put the image from, I did like the way it was done.
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theipc
/ November 3, 2012Me too – i thought that could be a pretty risky plan she thought up…O_o.
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Tyson Carter
/ November 3, 2012Hmmm…….I mean it’s not the smallest bottle……still I liked the direction this ending up going, and the end result was perfect.
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theipc
/ November 3, 2012I… know… that seemed like she might have considered the other end…. maybe…
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Tyson Carter
/ November 3, 2012True…….but hell, it worked 🙂
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jmount43
/ November 3, 2012I’ll be looking for this one!
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Tyson Carter
/ November 3, 2012Cool! Hope you like it buddy, look forward to your thoughts if you do catch it. 🙂
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Ben H
/ November 3, 2012Nice review.
I think I’ll also give this a chance.
Australia is producing some pretty good horror/thrillers at the moment. The Loved Ones, Lake Mungo, Wolf Creek, it’s like a new wave of horror.
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Tyson Carter
/ November 3, 2012Thanks Ben, hope you like it as much as I did.
Yeah some of my favourites recently have come from Australia. Although everyone keeps recommending Lake Mungo to me and I still havent seen it! I really need to.
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Critical Dave
/ November 4, 2012I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t even heard of this – patriotic film going clearly not pulling me through!
Sounds very interesting though – I’ll have to check it out!
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Tyson Carter
/ November 4, 2012Nice! I found a film you haven’t heard of, I just hope you like it then I have served my purpose! Look forward to your thoughts if you do manage to see it buddy 🙂
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Dead Dean
/ November 4, 2012Never heard of this; will add this to my DVD shopping list 🙂
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Tyson Carter
/ November 4, 2012Nice one!! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did 🙂
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Victor De Leon
/ November 4, 2012Never heard of this one bro. Thanks for the head’s up!
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Tyson Carter
/ November 4, 2012No worries, hope you get to see it one day. 🙂
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Ryan McNeely
/ November 4, 2012Sounds like a winner. I really enjoyed The Loved Ones, and this looks like more proof that the Aussies are doing some fine horror these days.
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Tyson Carter
/ November 4, 2012Damn right, the Aussies know their horror! Glad you enjoyed The Loved Ones too, that is equally great 🙂
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Dan
/ November 4, 2012Will definitely be adding this to my Netflix queue even though my stomach for the torture brand of horror is not the greatest. It sounds like a pretty solid horror film. And who can resist a movie where the female lead isn’t reduced to a screaming, crying mess at the 50% mark in the movie? Hurrah!
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Tyson Carter
/ November 5, 2012There are a few gory moments but its suspense filled and threats for the most part. Yeah it’s great that the female lead is so different to what horror films usually showcase. She really is excellent!
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mistylayne
/ November 9, 2012Teeth was AWESOME. I also liked Urban Legend but not so much Valentine. Will have to give this one a go!
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Tyson Carter
/ November 9, 2012Urban Legend was amazing because Jared Leto was in it! Hope you like it if you ever catch it 🙂
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mistylayne
/ November 9, 2012Jared Leto was in that?? I totally don’t remember him being in it!
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Tyson Carter
/ November 10, 2012Yeah he was the best part about it 🙂
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