Wrecker

Wrecker is an adrenaline-pumping action and horror movie catapulting the viewers into a heart-racing journey of survival and suspense.

Directed by Micheal Bafaro in 2016, starring Anna Hutchison ("The Cabin in the Woods" & "Power Rangers Jungle Fury"), Andrea Whitburn ("Lost Solace") and Jennifer Koenig, the movie explores the themes of road rage and extreme sports. Wrecker weaves an engaging and terrifying narrative, honing in on suspenseful high-speed chases and thrilling atmosphere, provoking sheer terror for both the characters and the audience.

The story revolves around Emily (Anna Hutchison) and her best friend Lesley (Andrea Whitburn), who decide to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, set off for a weekend of fun and adventure. Their specifics: idyllic desert landscapes and freedom on the open road, the perfect setting for an escapade, meant to strengthen the bonds of their friendship and invoke enthralling experiences. Equipped with a vintage red mustang convertible, oozed with youthful enthusiasm and girly frivolity, Emily and Lesley embark on a journey, unbeknownst to the horrors that lurk ahead.

Their trip takes an unexpected turn when they are diverted onto a ‘Scenic Route’, a deviation to their original course. Unknown to them, this scenic route would lead to a seemingly never-ending game of cat and mouse that quickly escalates into a life and death situation. Their plans to have a fun-filled adventure are shattered when a monstrous, relentless truck labelled 'Wrecker' starts to stalk them on this isolated road.

Wrecker does a fantastic job turning an ordinary, hulking tow truck into a terrifying villain, a symbol of escalating road rage. There are several high-speed chases, near-misses, and sudden incidents of terrifying aggression from the truck driver who remains an unseen and relentless imposing figure throughout the film.

Anna Hutchison's performance as the sassy and strong Emily is commendable. She truly embodies a modern woman, who is independent, lively and equally equipped to handle the dire circumstances confronted. Andrea Whitburn excellently brings to life the fun-loving Lesley's character, who despite her fear, balances bravery and vulnerability splendidly.

The cinematography brilliantly captures the picturesque desert scenery, the vast, barren, and sunbaked landscapes serve as an ironic backdrop to the girls' escalating turmoil and fear. The atmospheric sound design adds another layer of suspense and unease to the overall narrative, making the movie an intense watch.

Director Micheal Bafaro introduces an interesting symbiosis between action and horror genre, creating an atmosphere of imminent danger and high tension that audiences will find hard to escape. With nail-biting action sequences and suspenseful storytelling, Wrecker manages to overcome the limitations of its minimalistic location and cast, delivering a tense and horror-filled cinematic experience.

The film draws heavily on the glory days of road movies and B-movies of the 1970s and serves as a tribute to the genre. It reminds the viewers of cult classics like Steven Spielberg's "Duel" (1971) and brings in a sense of nostalgia with its spectacular vehicular stunts and simple yet effective narrative.

Even though Wrecker may principally appeal to lovers of action-packed thrillers, it has much to offer other viewers as well. Themes of friendship, courage, survival and determination underpinning the storyline make Wrecker more than just a typical cat-and-mouse chase, engaging the audience on deeper emotional levels.

In conclusion, Wrecker gives a fresh injection of thrills and terror into familiar genre tropes, creating an unpredictable, tense and entertaining film. Its masterful usage of an unassuming vehicle as a source of terror and the implications of road rage are thought-provoking and horrifying at the same time. Recommended for its performances, suspenseful storytelling and well-directed action sequences, Wrecker is a film experience that will have you gripping your seats and thinking twice before embarking on a lonely road trip.