The Horseman (film)

The Horseman
Theatrical film poster
Directed bySteven Kastrissios
Written bySteven Kastrissios
Produced byRebecca Dakin
Steven Kastrissios
StarringPeter Marshall
Caroline Marohasy
Evert McQueen
CinematographyMark Broadbent
Edited bySteven Kastrissios
Music byRyan Potter
Production
company
Kastle Films
Distributed byUmbrella Entertainment
Screen Media Ventures
Release date
  • 29 June 2008 (2008-06-29)
Running time
96 minutes
CountryAustralia
LanguagesEnglish
Gaelic

The Horseman is a 2008 Australian vigilante action psychological thriller film directed and written by Steven Kastrissios[1] and starring Peter Marshall, Evert McQueen and introducing Caroline Marohasy.[2]

Plot

After the drug-induced death of his teenaged daughter, Christian (Peter Marshall) is sent a video tape, a "snuff film" involving his daughter and several men. Christian then decides to avenge his daughter by killing all those linked to the sex tape. Along the way he meets a teenage runaway named Alice (Caroline Marohasy) and a fragile friendship begins to unfold.

Cast

  • Peter Marshall as Christian
  • Caroline Marohasy as Alice
  • Brad McMurray as Derek
  • Jack Henry as Finn
  • Evert McQueen as Jim
  • Christopher Sommers as Pauly
  • Bryan Probets as Walters
  • Steve Tandy as Devlin
  • Chris Betts as Hilton
  • Damon Gibson as Chuck
  • Hannah Levien as Jesse
  • Ron Kelly as Det. Adams
  • Robyn Moore as Irene
  • Warren Meacham as Richards
  • Greg Quinn as Kenneth
  • Rhye Copeman as Eddie

Production

The Horseman was conceived as a short film.[3] It was filmed in Burpengary, Queensland.[4]

Release

The film came out on DVD and Blu-ray on 1 March 2010 in the UK.[5] The film was part of the Sitges Film Festival,[6] Fantasia Festival,[7] the Film4 FrightFest[8] and South by Southwest 2009.[9] Screen Media Ventures set the limited theatrical run for the United States on 15 June 2010.[10]

Critical reception

While it has been criticised for the brutal violence and content matter, receiving an R rating,[11] writer and director Steven Kastrissios has mentioned he believes that the brutality is essential to the story.[12] It currently has a rating of 60% on the movie review site Rotten Tomatoes based on 30 reviews, with an average score of 5.9/10.[13]

Accolades

Award Category Subject Result
Melbourne Underground Film Festival Best Film Steven Kastrissios Won
Best Director Won

References

  1. ^ projectcyclops (4 November 2009). "Grimmupnorth 09: Review of The Horseman". Quiet Earth. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  2. ^ "The Horseman Gets Limited Theatrical Release". Dread Central. 18 March 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  3. ^ The Horseman: Director Steven Kastrissios Archived 11 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Mallinder, Terry (12 January 2015). "Queensland's horror filled history". Sunshine Coast Daily. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  5. ^ "The Horseman Wreaks Vengeance on the UK". Dread Central. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  6. ^ "Sitges 2009 Complete Lineup". Sound on Sight. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  7. ^ Fantasia 2009: Steven Kastrissios' The Horseman
  8. ^ "Incredible Film4 Frightfest lineup announced!". Quiet Earth. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  9. ^ Weinberg, Scott (19 March 2009). "SXSW Review: 'The Horseman'". Fear Net. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  10. ^ "'The Horseman' Gets Limited Theatrical Run This June". Bloody Disgusting. 18 March 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  11. ^ "The Horseman". Kastlefilms. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  12. ^ Interview with 'Horseman' Director Steven Kastrissios, Creature Feature Next?
  13. ^ The Horseman (2008), http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_horseman_2008. Retrieved 13 November 2022