Manhunt (Rovdyr) (2008)

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'If you go down to the woods today you're sure for a nasty surprise' - Movie Tagline

Directed by Patrik Syversen

Starring: Kristina Leganger Aaserud, Janne Beate Bones, Henriette Bruusgaard, Jorn Bjorn Fuller Gee

Released: 2008

Concept

The year is 1974, Camilla, Roger, Mia and Jorgen are going on holiday in the woods. They rest at an inn where they invite another girl to join their group who requires their help, there is a slight altercation with the locals and they soon leave. The mysterious girl leads them driving into the woods.

Without warning the group is attacked. They are chased into the forest by a group of hunters who only have the motive of bloodsport. They are prey, lost inside countless miles of forests with traps at every turn and death awaiting each individual. Will they work as a team to survive or will it be every prey for themselves? 

Review

First off this film came out in 2008, and it is Norwegian. Now in the noughties Norway was pushing its way into its own brand of mainstream horror, founding itself its own foundations in horror. It was never anything new or fresh but it did manage to bring in non-fans of horror in its native country. Films at this time were well respected but once again, weren't anything new. 

Manhunt is known as Rovdyr in Norway, which means Predator. Rovdyr was a success but nothing horror fans hadn't seen before, in fact it takes a homage to the classic 70's movies by being similar to Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the violence of the video nasties except multiplied. 

Do not take this as the usual ditzy teenage murder fest, these teenagers are thrown into a situation and will do what it takes to survive. instincts kick in, do they save the injured slowing them down or leave and try to find escape elsewhere? Do they sneak or fight back? There's no sex in the dorms with this flick it's pure brutality.

Make no mistake this film is gory, Descent style kind of gory. Where you can here the teeth move and shatter and feel the sound of bullet meeting flesh, the sound in this film is gutwrenchingly satisfying. The style of the mid-70's is spot on in this flick, the movie opens with a song called waiting for the rain, the original song for the Last House on the Left.

The film is traditional but the gore is not, if you like the classic 70's horror I recommend you check this film out. There is not much dialogue in this film either so don't expect character development this is a mere computer generated thesis on 'what will this person be like in this situation?' It is a slasher film and that is that. Check it out.