My review of Road Kill—starring Xavier

Road Kill (formerly Road Train), directed by Dean Francis from a story by Clive Hopkins, is a supernatural thriller about a group of teenagers menaced by a driver-less double-tractor-trailer in the Australian outback. The film was shot in the spring of 2009 in Adelaide, South Australia, where these monster big rigs -- "Road Trains" -- are a familiar sight to the locals. But these trucks aren't as familiar to others, hence the name change to Road Kill which, as the viewer will discover, may be much more appropriate after all.

Four teens are on an excursion to the Outback -- a traditional rite of passage for young Aussies and a challenge for even the hardiest. The two boys, Craig (Bob Morley) and Marcus (Xavier Samuel), are close and share a tight bond with secrets left unsaid. The girls, Nina (Sophie Lowe) and Liz (Georgina Haig) appear subservient to their men and beholden to confusing loyalties. The approach of a frighteningly imposing road train fuels the guys' adrenaline and sends the women into a frenzy. What at first appears predictable is anything but, and the group's ensuing confrontation with the truck and its driver becomes multi-layered. Road Kill turns into a haunted adventure that leaves much to the imagination, filled with puzzling and unsettling visions.


When the groundbreaking made-for-television movie Duel was first shown in 1971, nobody was aware that its director would go on to become one of the great icons of cinema. After all, it was Steven Spielberg's directorial debut and few knew who he was at the time. The premise of the film was simple -- a tractor-trailer menaces a lonely driver (Dennis Weaver) on the barren, open roads of the American West. The themes in that movie were used in his later films as well -- Jaws simply substituted a shark for a truck. Many others have paid homage to Duel as well -- the opening scene in Victor Salva's Jeepers Creepers duplicates it almost precisely. John Carpenter played with the idea of a vehicle with a mind of its own in the film based on the Stephen King novel Christine.

Elements of these classic thrillers are used in Road Kill to some extent. The vehicle's introduction in the movie echoes both Duel as well as Jeepers Creepers -- a truck barreling down the road, looming large in the car's rearview mirror. There are other homages to the above films in Road Kill along with the requisite Hitchcockian horror tropes. But this story veers off in another direction, literally, and that's where the similarities end and the originality of Road Kill overtakes the viewer.

Liz (the angelic Georgina Haig) is the perky girl whose cherubic face and perfectly flowing blond locks are the stuff of makeup cover girl ads. She's never roughed it in her life and it shows. She's the perfect companion to Marcus -- they are the soft, sweet, cotton candy couple. Haig shines, literally, and is a radiant screen presence. Marcus (Xavier Samuel) is the mischievous boy who's not quite ready to be a man. His puppy-dog vulnerability is a perfect match for rising young star Samuel, whose youthful persona is the very epitome of innocence. His classical training and extensive experience shine through in what could have been a one-dimensional performance in the hands of a lesser actor. Instead, he fills it with color and nuance.

Nina (Sophie Lowe) is the enigmatic girl who appears kind and gentle, yet runs with bad boy Craig and has an inner strength that can be unleashed in a moment's notice. It's a challenging role and Lowe is up to the task. Her character arc is filled with twists and turns, demanding a performance that teeters between incredulity and authenticity. Lowe does it with ease. And Bob Morley is commanding as Craig, the one actor with a potentially menacing presence even in dead calm. His moods are able to turn on a dime, raising the level of tension every time he's onscreen. Morley keeps the viewer constantly guessing. Much of the story rests on his shoulders and he delivers admirably.

This may be a low budget film but the production values certainly don't reflect that. One reason the filmmakers were able to stretch their dollars is because most of the story takes place outdoors. Exterior shots are much less labor-intensive and costly in time and money. Natural light was used in most scenes, although warm colors were enhanced to impart a golden glow. This emphasizes both the abundance of sunlight as well as the lack of water. It is on this dry, parched landscape that the action unfolds.

Road Kill's carefully crafted soundtrack helps achieve the desired results required in any genre film. The music and sound effects are like cast members unto themselves and play pivotal roles in the film. Rafael May's score cuts to the bone from the moment the opening title appears and is ever-present -- never obtrusive but always lurking in the shadows, ready to ride roughshod over the characters like the vehicle at the heart of the story.

The landscape is absolutely stunning, and Carl Robertson's cinematography makes full use of it. Shot in widescreen, the camera loves the breathtaking vistas and sweeping majesty of the South Australian setting. The surprisingly chilling visual effects were also a treat. They're essential to the story yet are used sparingly and effectively. Since Road Kill is a character-driven psychological thriller more than anything, it doesn't need an overabundance of cutting-edge technology to hit its target.

This was actor Xavier Samuel's final motion picture prior to becoming a household name after being cast as newborn vampire Riley in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. For some, that alone may be all that needs to be said. For everyone else, though, there are so many other good reasons why this film is worthy of your time.

Duel, Jaws, Christine, and Jeepers Creepers all relied primarily on one "monster" to tell their stories -- a truck, a shark, a car, a creature. They all had terrifically talented casts and wouldn't have succeeded without brilliant acting. But although a monster -- a truck, in this case -- is at the heart of the plot, Road Kill is ultimately about these four young people and the transformations which take place within them in the presence of the beast.

Lightning Media has secured a unique distribution deal via Fangoria Frightfest. Road Kill is one of eight titles which will be released on DVD, Video On Demand (VOD), and as a digital download. In addition, one film will be selected through online fan voting to win a late July theatrical release.

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~Robstenfan