Killing Ground
Killing Ground (2017), the debut feature from Australian writer-director Damien Power, is a harrowing and tightly constructed survival thriller set in the remote Australian bush. It combines elements of horror, suspense, and psychological drama to deliver a grim and grounded story that lingers long after the credits roll.
The film follows a young couple, Sam and Ian, who arrive at a secluded campsite to celebrate New Year’s Eve. They soon discover an abandoned tent and a toddler wandering alone nearby. As they try to understand what happened, the film cuts between their story and flashbacks of another family who had previously camped at the same location. This non-linear structure creates a slow-building sense of dread as the horrifying truth behind the child’s abandonment begins to surface.
Parallel to Sam and Ian’s story are two men—German and Chook—locals whose presence in the wilderness soon reveals a terrifying connection to the events that unfolded before the couple’s arrival. As the timelines intersect, the tension escalates into a brutal, suspenseful fight for survival.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its minimalistic realism. Unlike many horror films that rely on supernatural elements or stylized violence, Killing Ground is rooted in chilling plausibility. The violence is not gratuitous, but it is deeply unsettling, often shown in a raw, matter-of-fact way that makes it feel all the more disturbing. The use of natural lighting, silence, and the unflinching camera heightens the sense of realism, grounding the horror in the everyday.
The performances are strong across the board. Harriet Dyer delivers a standout performance as Sam, portraying a woman forced to summon inner strength in the face of unimaginable trauma. Ian Meadows, who also co-wrote the film, plays her partner with understated vulnerability. The antagonists, portrayed by Aaron Pedersen and Aaron Glenane, are terrifying precisely because of their ordinariness. They are not monsters, but men—deeply flawed, terrifyingly unpredictable, and disturbingly human.
The cinematography emphasizes the vast, isolating beauty of the Australian wilderness, turning the landscape into a silent antagonist. The bush becomes a space where no help can reach, where nature is indifferent, and where violence can unfold without consequence. This setting adds a layer of existential fear, reinforcing the vulnerability of the characters.
While the film has been praised for its suspenseful direction and realistic tone, it has also been criticized by some viewers for its bleakness and emotional intensity. It is not an easy watch, especially due to scenes involving children, and some audiences may find its unrelenting grimness overwhelming. However, for those who appreciate survival horror that feels grounded and uncomfortably plausible, Killing Ground is a powerful and effective film.
In summary, Killing Ground stands out in the horror genre for its raw, minimalist style and its refusal to offer easy catharsis. It presents a chilling portrait of human cruelty and endurance, set against the backdrop of an unforgiving wilderness. It’s a film that challenges its audience and refuses to look away from the darkest corners of human behavior.
