Prey is a 2009 Australian supernatural horror film directed by George T. Miller (though credited to Oscar D'Roccster),[1] written by Miller and starring former Neighbours actress and Rogue Traders lead singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte,[2] and American Jesse Johnson.[3]
| Prey | |
|---|---|
 Official Australian Poster | |
| Directed by | George T. Miller (as Oscar D'Roccster) |
| Written by | George T. Miller Andrew Topp |
| Produced by | Robert Lewis Galinsky Elizabeth Howatt-Jackman |
| Starring | Natalie Bassingthwaighte Jesse Johnson Ben Kermode Natalie Walker Christian Clark Kristin Sargent Nicholas Bell Stephen Beck Jacqueline Steward Zachary Schaefer Taylor Johnson |
| Cinematography | Andrew Topp |
| Music by | Dale Cornelius |
| Distributed by | Top Cat Films |
Release date |
|
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
The film is the last directed by Miller before his death in February 2023.
Plot summary
editIn April 1987, two North Americans disappeared in the West Australian desert on a 4WD holiday. They were never seen alive again. Their abandoned vehicles and unused supplies were found in sand dunes near an Aboriginal sacred site less than an hour away from the closest town. Two years later, in May 1989, the two men were both found dead of natural causes, on the same day, 1,000 miles apart back in North America.
Twenty years after the original incident, 3 couples who set out on a surfing trip are lured into the same desert area, by a strange local whose master needs fresh victims to consume. Preconceived assumptions about friendship, undiscovered sexual liaisons, and false leadership come apart as the three couples realize that the vacation is over.
Cast
edit- Natalie Bassingthwaighte as Kate[4]
- Jesse Johnson as Gus[3]
- Natalie Walker as Ling[5]
- Ben Kermode as Matt[3]
- Christian Clark as Jason[3]
- Kristin Sargent as Annika[3]
- Nicholas Bell[3]
- Pamela Shaw as Morgan Weismann
- Joe Hachem as Motel Operator[3]
- Geire Kami as Patient[3]
- Jennifer Hansen as Waitress[3]
- Suhayb Lahdo as The Man
- Dawn Klingberg as Kora
- Stephen Beck as Pianist[3]
- Jacqueline Steward as Confused Girl[3]
- Zachary Schaefer as Bemused Pedestrian[3]
- Taylor Johnson as Internet Enthusiast[3]
Production
editThe outback had to be re-created in a Melbourne warehouse to save filming costs.[6] In addition to a perforated eardrum which caused filming dates to be rescheduled, lead star Natalie Bassingthwaighte injured her ankle twice during filming, causing hassles regarding the physicality of her role.[7] There was friction between the producers and director George T. Miller due to last minute script changes by Miller.[8] Also, investor issues plagued the shoot and at one point the line-producers were hinting they were ready to walk. Bassingthwaighte was used in a lesbian shower that raised great controversy, but eventually made it to the final release.[3][9][10]
Release
editThe film premiered on 5 May 2009 in Sydney and Melbourne,[11] and was given a theatrical release on 9 May 2009 in Australia.[12]
DVD release
editThe film was scheduled to have a U.S. DVD release on 13 July 2010 from Xenon Pictures under the new title "The Outback" or "Dreamtime's Over."[13]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ theage.com.au, Business Day, 6 February 2008, Profile of George T. Miller. Retrieved 10 December 2008
- ^ securesentinel.org Archived 14 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Secure Sentinel, "Natalie Bassingthwaighte reaches the pinnacle of her art". Retrieved 10 December 2008
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n by Mike Catalano, Joblo.com, 2 October 2008, "Prey for shower". Retrieved 10 December 2008
- ^ "Prey at NatBassingthwaighte.com". Archived from the original on 3 January 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2008.
- ^ nat-bas.com Archived 15 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Natalie Bassingthwaighte website. Retrieved 10 December 2008
- ^ The Latest Trailer for Prey
- ^ Prey That You Make It Archived 8 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "The Outback" at Xenon Pictures.com Archived 13 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ news.com.au, Daily Telegraph, 1 October 2008, "Natalie Bassingthwaighte comes clean on lesbian shower scene". Retrieved 10 December 2008
- ^ by Mr. Disgusting, Bloody-disgusting.com, 1 October 2008, "'Prey's' Controversial Lesbian Shower Scene Remains Intact". Retrieved 10 December 2008
- ^ Prey at Mediasearch
- ^ Official Australian One-Sheet for Prey
- ^ Dorian Gray and The Outback Hitting DVD / The Prowler Hitting Blu-ray!