10 Great Horror Movies Turning 20 In 2025
2. Wolf Creek
You need mention only four words to encapsulate the PTSD-inducing trauma of watching Greg McLean’s Ozploitation classic Wolf Creek: “head on a stick.”
Undoubtedly, the moment in question (which sees serial killer Mick – who’s based on real-life murderer Ivan Milat – sever the spinal cord of backpacker Liz after he’s cut off three of her fingers) is among the most infamous scenes in 2000s horror. Yet, it’s definitely not the only reason why Wolf Creek is shockingly savage.
You see, Liz is traveling across Australia with two friends (Kristy and Ben), and eventually, Mick sexually assaults Kristy and guns her down on the road. He tortures Ben, too, and thanks to some footage that Liz finds, it’s clear that this is far from the first time Mick’s murdered unsuspecting tourists.
The film is doubly disconcerting and successful because Mick is played by the intrinsically likable John Jarratt, whose disarming friendliness and sadistic sarcasm add insult to injury once he exposes his barbaric intentions.
If not for his evil ways, he’d be the perfect person to hang out with on a rowdy Saturday night, and it’s certainly a good thing Jarratt returned for Wolf Creek’s worthwhile 2013 sequel and subsequent TV series.