This instant horror mini-classic is by turns poignant, funny, grotesque, alarming, and finally very, very satisfying. Dennis Harvey, San Francisco Bay Guardian

Director: Sean Byrne Year: 2009 Running time: 84 mins Censor Rating: R18 - Sadistic violence, drug use, offensive language, sex scenes Screenplay: Sean Byrne Producers: Mark Lazarus, Michael Boughen Photography: Simon Chapman Editor: Andy Canny Production designer: Robert Webb Music: Ollie Olsen

CinemaScope

With: Xavier Samuel (Brent), Robin McLeavy (Princess), John Brumpton (Daddy), Richard Wilson (Jamie), Victoria Thaine (Holly), Jessica McNamee (Mia)

Festivals: Melbourne, Toronto 2009; SXSW, San Francisco 2010

Sean Byrne macabre kidnapping tale is a demented blend of Misery and an 80s high school prom flick, as an angsty school stud muffin finds himself in a psychosexual scenario far worse than not finding a date for the big dance. Future Twilight heart-throb Xavier Samuel stars as Brent, a James Deanesque brooder who politely declines the invitation of classmate Princess to the school dance, and sets in motion a series of events that amplify the term bad date to horrific new levels. At first Princess appears to be your typical rejected wallflower but when her bung Dad and sharp implements make their unwelcome appearance you realise that this twisted prom tale has other plans. Featuring an uber-cool soundtrack, haunting visuals, striking production design, jaw-dropping violence and a young director who deftly handles the tricky tonal shifts from black comedy to high-octane horror. - AT

Session Times

Fri 16 Jul | 8:45pm | SKYCITY Theatre |

Tue 20 Jul | 4:15pm | SKYCITY Theatre |