As a father of two young girls, I know what it is like to be an overprotective father. When I’m with my girls in public, I need to know where they are at all times. My eyes are always on them.  Films that involve the deaths of children always send fear into my mind and chills up my spine. Then, anger sets in, and, as with most revenge tales where one’s family is taken from them, there is no stopping the vengeance of a father or mother who’s child has been taken.

    The Punisher,  Taken and Law Abiding Citizen are some of the latest films that all have told this tale. The Horseman is no different.  Although we can say that the latter films had big budgets, The Horseman is a gritty, independent film that does not hold back.

   The story is about Christian (Peter Marshall) whose daughter recently has died. Christian is unsure of  how until a video arrives of her, intoxicated and being mistreated by the people in the video. Enraged, Christian goes on a vengeful killing spree across Australia, hunting down the people responsible.  Along the way, he meets a young runaway, Alison (Caroline Marohasy). She reminds him a bit of his daughter and the two form a friendship. Alison has no clue what Christian's ambitions are and why he is looking for certain people, but as the truth unfolds, Alison find herself into the drama and the horror that Christian is enforcing upon those who did his daughter wrong.

  The Horseman has a great script, with a powerful story and excellent character development. At times, the story can be slow moving, however it all comes together as the film moves along.  The film has a gritty look, and it’s far from having that polished Hollywood look. The acting in the film is good, and the effects even better. It is not a film that you can really get deep about. It’s your basic revenge flick, with a brutal, violent edge to it that does not hold back. It is a film that is just as much a horror film as an action thriller.

   The DVD does not have a lot of special features, but does include commentary with Producer, Director and Writer of The Horseman Steven Kastrissos.  There is also Cast and Crew commentary on the disc as well. The film is presented in 1.78 letterbox format with 5.1 surround sound.

   The Horseman is your basic tale of vengeance when a loved one and all you have ever known has been taken away from you by the forces of evil. In tale of revenge, we are once again along for the ride as a father who has lost his daughter sets off to kill and torture those who are responsible for her death. The Horseman is a good film, one where as the viewer you feel the pain that the character of Christian is going through, yet you cheer for him for bringing those responsible to their knees begging for their own lives. The Horseman is a film for those who enjoy a little revenge flick, with a little bit more blood and guts that reflect that of a horror film. It’s well worth checking out. 

- Horror Bob

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