The survival instincts of a road-tripping family are put to the test when they have no other choice but to stay the night at a remote homestead.
Lowlifes takes a bold detour from standard horror fare as it kicks off with a tense chase through the woods, where a man frantically tries to flee from an unseen threat, but before long, he's swiftly taken out, and we’re introduced to a family on a camping trip in those very same woods.
This seemingly typical family includes Keith, the organized and diligent dad who’s manning the barbecue; Kathleen, the caring mom; Amy, the rebellious teen; and Jeffrey, the energetic younger son looking for his father's approval.
Just as we get comfortable with this family setup and anticipate the usual horror movie clichés, we meet two local characters, Vern and Billy who are out looking for their missing brother, Melior.
Lowlifes breaks away from typical expectations, turning a story that seems to be about city people terrorized by country folk into something entirely different and this shift in the narrative adds a welcome layer of unpredictability.
I won’t spoil too much, but the twist comes early on, changing the game and making the story even more unpredictable and from this point on, the movie evolves into a gritty and intense experience, with every character pushed to their limits and the gore is substantial and pretty well-executed, adding to the overall impact without overwhelming the plot.
The cast of Lowlifes put in some strong performances. Matthew Macaull stands out with a powerful performance, transitioning seamlessly from calm to chaos and Amanda Fix’s portrayal of Amy is particularly gripping, as she navigates the film’s twists with emotional precision.
Brenna Llewellyn is notable for her role as one of the locals, showing impressive resilience in a physically demanding part, while Richard Harmon, though in a smaller role, leaves a memorable mark with his distinctive presence.
Lowlifes surprised me a lot, I wasn't expecting too much but it is well worth a watch! [Lowlifes on IMDB]
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