31 Days of Horror: Day Three - Rogue

Rogue is the third film to feature in this year's 31 Days of Horror and it's about a group of tourists who find their river cruise under threat from a giant crocodile.

About a year ago I went on an alligator swamp tour near New Orleans, whilst I enjoyed the tour I didn't really get to see any alligators except for little baby alligators but I am certainly glad I didn't come across anything remotely similar to the size of the beast found in this 2007 Australian horror film. Naturally with any animal horror film Jaws is a strong reference point, many underwater shots looking upwards at characters swimming on the surface are greatly similar to the shots found in Jaws and like Jaws the film tries to keep the most of the animal hidden for the majority of the film.

Rogue is very much a b movie and the ok at best special effects (but they're not bad to the extent it takes you out the film) showcase exactly that and makes the film's final battle less effective than the scenes before it. It's a very different film to Wolf Creek (also directed by Greg McLean) and certainly lacks less bite (it has more bite a literal sense), but it's a fun film with a very B movie feel. There are also some good performances from a recognisable cast that includes Sam Worthington and Mia Wasikowska.

3/5