The Loved Ones is a tricky one in that it lulls you into a false sense of security by giving you an actual plotline. In most horror films the main character is like, some girl and like, she's in college or whatever? Maybe she's taking a road trip? She only ever wears shorts though, and she's hot! Yeah, she's hot!...and so the audience rarely connects with them emotionally. The Loved Ones gives its audience a solid character with an actual backstory, and actual relationships with - dare I say it - loved ones. When it first starts it doesn't feel like a horror film. It's hilarious, it's silly, and it's emotional. And then it comes up from behind and stabs you in the ear. The Loved Ones tells the tale of Brent, a fairly typical high school guy who has spiraled into an apathetic world of pot and self-harm after the death of his father. His girlfriend, Holly, is a lifeline to him and looks after him in a very touching and believable way. The film follows the events that occur after Brent refuses a girl who invites him to prom (but come on, love, you know he has a girlfriend) and how she takes him to a unique prom night of their own. I cannot tell a lie. I spent the latter half of this film with my hands over my face and one finger on the mute button for when the screaming got too much. That's not to say I did not enjoy the film. Robin McLeavy as Lola was absolutely, gob-smackingly incredible. She is without a doubt one of the most terrifying and commanding villains this side of, well, anybody really. The film had wonderful acting all-round, but McLeavy made this film hers. Just make sure you're ready to pause when it all gets a bit too much...
