Crush and Intensity: A Movie Review

Crush DVD Artwork
Directors: John Soto and Jeffrey Gerritsen.

Writer: John Soto.

John Soto's (Needle, Prey) Crush is a thriller film from Australia that puts Christopher Egan in the central role of an isolated housesitter. The film pays homage to Fatal Attraction with the tagline "Attraction Can Be Fatal," and the film offers a unique twist on the love affair gone very wrong angle. As well, the soundtrack enhances a visually appealing film from cinematographer Richard Malins (Stump, Crush).

The film's storyline centrally involves Julian (Egan), a prize winning martial arts champion. Egan is a multi-faceted character with a love for the drink and an occasional beautiful woman. These very human weaknesses land Julian in hot waters with his girlfriend, employer, teacher, and coach when Julian turns to the sexy Anna (Emma Lung) for intimacy and excitement.

Christopher Egan as Julian and Christian Clark as Wesley - Movie Still

Andrew L. Urban, from the Australian website Urban Cinephile, says of the film's soundtrack "it features a soundtrack that resonates with its market, with the likes of Silverchair, Papa Roach, Something for Kate and Pacificer." The musical choices heighten the intesnity of the film early as Julian punches and kicks his way through martial arts contenders. The soundtrack loses a little steam by the midpoint of the film, but is enhanced by a musical score that is often chilling and thoroughly haunting. This "privately financed" project puts the money in to the aural sphere and the results are rewarding for the viewer (Urban).

A second review of the film from Urban Cinephile is written by Louise Keller and she states of the film's plot "Crush is a taut and eerie psychological thriller that makes a startling U-turn just when you think you know where it’s heading." This turn near the mid-point of the film puts Crush in a very supernatural element where a seductress is a little more aged than she lets on. This is not your average man gets caught cheating on his girlfriend storyline. Instead, this is one character's battle with himself, those he has hurt along the way, and one unnatural Delilah.

There are few failings in Crush outside of the overuse of an interior set, a somewhat inconclusive ending, and a short runtime. However, each of these flaws are outdone by some excellent, natural acting from Egan, Lung, and minor characterizations performed by Brooke Harmon, Christian Clark, Jenna Lind, and Kane Manera as Julian's friends and peers. The climax is especially well-done with character Julian fighting to save his life from an eternal afterlife full of future hauntings. This battle and the intensity throughout make this film stand out in a sea of thrillers and horror features releasing this year on DVD.

Crush will be available for horror fans July 13th on DVD through Phase 4 Films. This is a sexy thriller with a twist and the film is recommended for those interested in the supernatural. John Soto seems to have the market cornered on Australia produced horror features and Crush offers a creative tale on a love triangle gone wrong with the addition of deceit and murder.

Overall: 7.5 out of 10.

Crush on Facebook:

Crush on FB

The Crush homesite:

Crush Homepage

Crush on Twitter:

Crush on Twitter

Two separate reviews of Crush at Urban Cinefile here:

Crush Reviewed at Urban

Crush at Phase 4 Films (distributor):

Crush at Phase 4 Films

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