Watch The Loved Ones

The Loved Ones is a dark horror movie released in 2009 that tells the story of a troubled teenager, Lola Stone (played by Robin McLeavy), who, after being rejected by the boy she loves, decides to take matters into her own hands and kidnaps him. The movie was directed by Australian filmmaker Sean Byrne and stars Xavier Samuel as the male lead, Brent Mitchell, and John Brumpton as the girl's father.

The plot of the movie takes an interesting twist on the classic horror formula, as it is not a stranger, a ghost, or a monster who terrorizes the main character, but rather an ordinary teenager with a dark and disturbing past. Lola is a lonely, introverted girl who lives with her father in a secluded house in the woods. Her father, Eric, is a deeply disturbed man who is also her accomplice in her twisted crimes.

Brent is a typical teenage boy with a troubled past. He has lost his father in a car accident, and he is struggling to cope with the guilt and pain. To deal with his feelings, he turns to drugs and self-harm, which only make things worse. When Lola asks him to be her date for the upcoming dance, Brent declines, he has already promised his girlfriend Holly. This triggers Lola's obsession with Brent, and she takes matters into her own hands.

The rest of the movie takes place in Lola's house, where she has set up a makeshift prom for Brent. Her father is the DJ, and her other victims, who are all kept in cages, act as the chaperones. What follows is a horrifying descent into madness and torture as Lola and her father subject Brent to unspeakable acts of violence and humiliation.

The Loved Ones is an incredibly disturbing and dark film that explores the darker aspects of the human psyche. The performances by the cast are top-notch, with Robin McLeavy delivering an outstanding portrayal of the manipulative and sadistic Lola. Xavier Samuel also shines as Brent, portraying him as a vulnerable and sympathetic character who is put through an unimaginable ordeal. John Brumpton is equally convincing as Lola's unhinged father.

The movie excels in creating a tense and claustrophobic atmosphere that keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat. The scenes of violence are graphic and brutal, but they never feel gratuitous or exploitative. Instead, they serve to create a sense of horror and dread that permeates the entire movie.

One of the most impressive aspects of the film is the way it subverts the traditional horror formula. Instead of relying on jump scares and gore, it creates its horror by focusing on the psychological and emotional torment of the characters. The result is a movie that is both terrifying and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impression on the viewer.

Overall, The Loved Ones is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys horror movies that push the boundaries of what is considered acceptable. It is a movie that is not afraid to take risks and challenge the viewer, and it will leave you shaken and disturbed long after the credits have rolled.

The Loved Ones is a 2012 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 73.