Based on a true story, this scary horror movie makes effective use of one striking location and one strong idea. In a remote Australian swamp, three terrified holidaymakers confront a primeval predator. Trapped up a flimsy tree, the three bicker, shiver and weigh their options, while a crocodile that has capsized their boat and eaten their guide prowls below.

There are obvious, but not unflattering, similarities with another low-budget ‘survival horror’ movie, ‘Open Water’, which fashioned a meaty and involving storyline using only two drifting sub-aqua divers, the open sea and a circling shark. Rather than create an expensive CGI croc, writer-directors Andrew Traucki and David Nerlich used cheap digital technology to stitch together footage of real crocodiles with the dramatic scenes. Tapping into the primeval fear generated by these perfectly evolved killing machines, the filmmakers ratchet up the tension, while sustaining our interest in the fate of the trio.

Director: Andrew Traucki, David Nerlich

Time Out rating: 3/6

Source: Time Out London Issue 1957: Feb 20 - 26 2008