User Reviews

Even for a low budget film, it could have done a lot better. The ending was kind of lame. With a little more thought in advance, a more realistic scenario could have unfolded that brought the pieces together. So this is my take on how it should have ended...

After the creature killed off all the other characters except for Ian and Austin, the two would have tried to escape together. Austin would have stumbled upon something strange in the woods and wanted to investigate what it was.

It turns out to be a hidden entrance to an underground facility. Austin wants to go inside as it might provide a safe shelter but Ian wants to keep moving on - but eventually gives in and follows Austin.

Once inside, they realize it's an abandoned research facility that appeared to be involved in some biology research. Austin then comes across a photo of a group of scientists and immediately recognizes Ian in the photo. Austin now knows that Ian knows all about the research facility and confronts him about it and what it has to do with the creature that had been following them.

Eventually Ian breaks and tells Austin that he was part of a covert research team that was performing the illegal development of creating genetic lifeforms from ancient DNA. Ian tells Austin that the group of researchers decided to set up their lab deep in a forest away from government authorities and try to resurrect an ancient dinosaur bird.

The group was eventually caught and imprisoned for several years althought whereabouts of their hidden facility was never uncovered. Before being apprehended, they had managed to create the prehistoric bird and let it loose with its mate in forest.

After getting out of prison, Ian decided he had to go back to the forest to retrieve the research they had worked on. His erratic behavior wasn't because he was having a nervous breakdown, but because he knew that there was a good chance that the creature still existed and could potentially be deadly.

Anyway, that's my 5 cents. Hell of a lot better than just running out on to the road and stopping the first car that comes by to ask for help.

I was puzzled by the horror/comedy label of this movie until I got to the last 30 minutes. Despite being a low-budget production, the movie does a good job of introducing the characters and developing their backstories, but nothing horrific or funny happens in the first 90 minutes of this movie, which just show a group of quirky personalities randomly hiking on a loop trail in NZ. There is some humor in the contrast between the main character Ian (Thomas Sainsbury) and Nicky (Hayden J. Weal), but we wait to see how the tension grows as the movie moves along.

The majority of the film kept me engaged and interested throughout, which is a great achievement for this kind of low-budget production. The actors and the cinematographer do a decent job of keeping the audience invested and avoiding visual fatigue from seeing forest scenery for most of the time, mostly through interesting events and good level of dialogue. But then the movie fell apart right at the end.

I understand that there is some NZ cultural thing with the big black bird, maybe it is some folklore or private joke, but from a movie perspective, I think the writer/producer made the wrong choice here. First, the bird is not scary, its long beak is designed for eating fish and not for piercing through resilient large-bodied creatures. The beak going through heads and bodies of people is kind of ridiculous to the point where I started wondering if this whole thing was a private joke by the writers. Were they all sitting and laughing while filming this?

The second shortcoming of this movie is the character of Ian. Although the idea that he says "I am weak, just look at me" and shows he is the most out-of-shape and least successful in both professional life (failed business) and personal life (failed marriage) is a great setup for him to be the most stable and survivalist person at the end, his triumph is still anti-climactic. I would love to see his acting change from the begging to the end, leading to a fierce fighting scene rather then the poorly executed one we are presented with at the end.

Overall, "Loop Track" is a nice and watchable creation, but I still wish for a better monster and a better ending. I think this movie had the potential of getting two thumbs up from me if those two issues were fixed. But as it stands it falls short to hiking/disaster movies, try watching "The Ruins" of an example of a thriller done well. However I would like to see this production team next project, maybe taking my comments into account 🙏 Guide: Some blood and gore, sexual innuendos, no nudity. Ok for teens. Exact Score: 53 / 100.

Well, this one is actually pretty clear. The main character Ian seeks retreat from mankind obviously for his social anxiety he must have developed in the wake of events happened to him in the course of his life - which is cut briefly e.g. A divorce and failed (?) freelanceship. But the plot doesn't dig deeper than that, same as with the other characters who remain rather bland.

The only question left unanswered is why there's a breeding pair of prehistoric terror birds nesting in the bushes of NZ, but I guess that's just the pivotal point of horror fiction we're invited to marvel at. I can't say it was an awful film, but it sure lacks a lot of depth and some ingredients. And up until the revelation of the terror bird, even enjoyably disturbing on a psychological level, when the viewer still thinks Ian has actually gone mad.

It doesn't solve a single question it poses other than what is stalking Ian; why is Ian there? He is obviously unprepared for tramping, so what brings him out there? Why is he afraid from before he even gets in the bush? What does he think it is? We know it's a bird, but what kind? Why is it there?

The setting is fantastic, as someone who lives in NZ i feel too often that I can wave the fear in horror movies off as unable to apply to me; this, if done well, would have been able to inspire a fear that could stick with me. Unfortunately, there isn't enough to the story for this to work.

Sainsbury's character is awful, a right pain in the arse. There isn't much fear created throughout the movie and it soon turns from "what's out there?" To "what the hell is wrong with this prick". It's ineffective at keeping up the fear and suspense as it turns into frustration.

I wasn't expecting much, I don't tend to with NZ films, but it didn't satisfy anything.

This movie could be 70-90mins top. Storyline is predictable but the mysterious creature didn't make any sense at all. The bird squawking at the end of the movie but not during the movie. We know birds like to make noise, but they ended up making nonsense birds as a monster that know how to kill it prey. I wished it would be something else and the story could've been more interesting. I was sleeping in the beginning and middle of the movie. Not many people was in the movie theatre as well. I was hoping for a high expectations but chicken, really?

2 hours is way too long. Even if you want to make chicken as the monster don't make the beak as the only weapon, what bout their claws? Sharp claws.

Yes, I'm a sucker. I saw this movie in iTunes and came here to get an idea of audience feedback. I saw many of them contained spoilers so I didn't read much and went by the higher ratings.

Who's reviewing this movie, everyone who took part in it? The lead character is massively annoying, whiney, over reactionary, a real sad sack. Then comes the guy who just pushes himself onto the lead character as some sort of unwanted new best friend who doesn't shut up.

But I thought it was a joke when the predator was an oversized bird. I started wondering if this was supposed to be a comedy/horror because a large black bird doesn't really instill fear more so than a chuckle. I kept waiting for some sort of twist to swoop in (pun intended) to offer a better explanation, but it never came.

If your idea of a great movie is an hour of watching random interactions of hikers with different personality types, only to spend the last thirty minutes being stalked by an unrealistic looking oversized tweety then this is for you. Can I have a refund?

Don't listen to the silly 2 star review, you don't need any questions answered you just need to go along for the ride.

A ride which takes you from main character Ian's obvious nervous exhaustion, stress at work?stress in his relationship?

You do not need to be Richard Dawkins or Einstein to know Ian has been through the mill.

He goes on this nature wildreness trail to escape from people.

There though he meets Nicky who we discover is well meaning but a bit in your face for hapless Ian.

These two also meet Austin and Monica who again have gone hiking in the wilderness. Later still we meet hikers Lulu and Danielle I won't go too far into the story and characters, I will leave you to find those things out.

But then we see Ian feel that these hikers are not alone, something is in the wilderness, something is watching them and it is not good, it does not mean them well.

Suffice to say what transpires really tests Ian's courage and strength, a strength that he calls upon and maybe never thought he had.

You also feel his frustration that no one believes him that they are being followed and watched by what turns out to be creatures that want them for food!!

Well acted by all ( especially Thomas Sainsbury as the on the edge of a breakdown Ian) well paced and with a feel of menacing claustrophobia this is well worth seeing.

I have seen a few movie turkeys recently but this was a pleasant surprise to be sure.

If you're looking for a big budget horror movie with crazy plot twists, this movie will not be your cup of tea. However, if you want to watch an intriguing suspense, watch Loop Track.

The movie does well with what it has to work with. The actor who plays the main character does a phenomenal job of someone with social anxiety - someone who goes out of their way to NOT interact or pass others by.

The creature reveal is a lot of fun, as again, this is not a big budget film, so they needed to be a bit creative.

Lower your expectations and watch the film blind like I did. It won't be on your top ten list, but it is captivating nonetheless.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Is it a little slow? Possibly a tad at first, BUT when it takes off.... DUDE! This is definitely a new concept in horror. Original AF. Suspenseful, dramatic, exciting, funny...10/10 WOULD RECOMMEND to creature feature fans. Also would let my 11 year old watch with us. It's not too gory considering the other content out there. It is a creature movie so keep that in mind. Keep in mind it's a VERY small cast and budget. I think it was very well done. If you want a fun, horror movie creature situation this is an awesome choice. Please be sure to let me know what you think. I love the creature.

Well it keeps you wondering this film. Starts off with Ian a guy with a failed business escaping to the wild countryside of New Zealand on a hike with a few overnight stays. Ian is paranoid avoiding other hikers and doesnt trust others but meets a fellow hiker Nicky. Ian and Nicky become acquainted and trek through the forest trail to an overnight cabin. There they meet Austin and Monica a couple also walking the same trail. A series of events unfold and gets paranoid with those on the trail with him. Two backpacks left in a cabin makes Ian even more paranoid about those he is with. He also thinks somebody or indeed SOMETHING is following them.

I had no idea what to expect with this movie but I was somewhat pleasantly surprised.

ACTING 8/10

The acting and cast seriously blew me away. All the characters were a breath of fresh air from the irrational & useless horror movie tropes. I never got tired of any certain characters and the dialog was funny and realistic Another thing worth noting is Thomas Sainsbury's performance (Ian) throughout the film, dude really sells the paranoid, anti-socialite running from his problems

SCARES 6/10

There's like one fakeout jumpscare at the start of the movie but overall its a slowburn till near to the end when things somewhat ramp up.

MONSTER/KILLER 7/10

At first I really thought the killer would be Nicky from his constant "I always catch them" catchphrase and at the end Ian would be like "I told you so" or some crap. But this was much much better.

As for the monster itself I really enjoyed the creature being a large prehistoric bird of prey. I had my first hints as to the monster being an animal early on when Monica says they saw a dead goat in a tree, a common practice among large predators to store food from scavengers.

Realism is another thing to note as a creature like this could really exist in New Zealand's vast lush forests and parks, lots of so called "extinct" creatures are constantly being found very much not extinct (eg. Takahe bird native to NZ) Also thank god they didnt use CGI or somecrap the prop/makeup team seriously sold it.

PROBLEMS 6/10

Fight scene in the cabin was mid. Wish we got to see more bird stuff like its hunting skills and habits or its chicks instead of just a kinda lifeless prop head being choked out by a 5 foot dude, but tbf the prop and sfx team did an amazing job for such a modest budget. Also the ending could've been way better, I know what they were going for but I think it would've been cool to see Ian's character arc from a weak paranoid "loser" who loses peoples $300 flashlight's (seriously who spends $300 on a flashlight?) to a hardened blood stained Dino killer at the end.

OVERALL 8/10

Mad props to the creators for making such a thrilling and realistic film with such a modest budget. Me and my friends never got bored throughout the whole film, the acting and atmosphere kept us all on the edge of our seats.

Horror film directors take note, you DON'T actually need a $100M dollars and like 4 jumpscares every 60 seconds to make a memorable and thrilling film for audiences. Sometimes less is more.

As the film opens with an atmospheric, chilling soundtrack and cinematography that suggests this could be 2023's answer to Coming Home in the Dark, we watch Sainsbury's Ian make a long drive, while studiously ignoring a succession of missed calls.

As he arrives at the car park of the Eyre Forest Loop Track, the size of his pack suggests he's there for more than just a day walk.

However, just 10 minutes in to a potential nine-hour hike to Kiwi Hut, he's already puffed and sporting a nasty looking blister on the back of his right heel. Even worse, his solitude is shattered by a loud couple more interested in selfies than silently contemplating the local flora and fauna.

Doesn't solve a single question it poses other than what is stalking Ian; why is Ian there? He is obviously unprepared for tramping, so what brings him out there? Why is he afraid from before he even gets in the bush? What does he think it is? We know it's a bird, but what kind? Why is it there?

Doesn't solve a single question it poses other than what is stalking Ian; why is Ian there? He is obviously unprepared for tramping, so what brings him out there? Why is he afraid from before he even gets in the bush? What does he think it is? We know it's a bird, but what kind? Why is it there?

Best movie.

So, the monster birds do not exist. They are extensions of the main character's anxiety, the anti-social psychosis he brings to the track, and the bloody secret interior that haunts his mind. The entire first act sets this up, slowly revealing a deeply troubled state of mind. The unknown forest is the schizophrenic break, and his final line, "help," signals a return to the more human state and world of people. The murderous prehistoric birds are merely a literary device, inhabiting the landscape in his mind. They are fairly well done for a low budget movie, and their presence does form a kind of horror. But when we see them as metaphysical and imaginary, it is Ian who has blood on his hands (and ripped up shirt). Ian, quiet and awkward within the forest, is the monster we are watching.