Watch Long Weekend

Long Weekend is a 1978 Australian horror-thriller movie directed by Colin Eggleston. It stars John Hargreaves and Briony Behets in lead roles. The movie revolves around a couple, Peter and Marcia, who decide to take a holiday in the Australian outback. Despite warnings from locals about the dangers of the area, Peter and Marcia start their journey towards the isolated beach. Along the way, they encounter various forms of wildlife and nature. Peter, an insensitive and selfish person, repeatedly ignores Marcia's requests to leave the area, and instead, settles in a remote spot.

As the couple begins their stay, things start to take a strange turn. Their confrontational personality traits begin to come to the surface, culminating in frustration and anger, both with each other and their surroundings. The beach and the surrounding area, once thought to be a paradise, begins to be filled with dark and ominous feelings.

As days pass by, the couple experiences inexplicable events, from their canned food's packaging swelling up to even their fishing gear failing to function as each behaves erratically. Slowly and steadily, nature begins to turn on them when the very things they ignored, the environment, and the animals begin to take their revenge on them.

As the days go by, Peter and Marcia realise that they are facing an unknown and mysterious force, which is slowly devouring them. Their lack of respect for nature, for each other, and their arrogance finally dawns on them as they become more and more desperate to leave the area. However, their attempts to flee the area become more violent and dangerous. It is only when they are faced with near-certain death do they finally seem to understand the gravity of their situation.

The movie captures a realistic portrayal of the Australian outback, presenting both the beauty of the landscape and the implicit dangers. The strength of the movie lies in its narrative, which takes the viewers through a gamut of emotions, ranging from anxiety and fear to frustration and anger.

In the context of the horror genre, Long Weekend stands out for its unique approach to storytelling. The scare tactics used are relatively subtle, relying more on the natural beauty of the Australian landscape and the tension created among the characters. It is more of a psychological thriller than a horror movie, as the movie focuses on the couple's journey and the realization that there are forces beyond their control.

The performances of John Hargreaves and Briony Behets are exceptional, with both delivering nuanced performances. Hargreaves, in particular, showcases the vulnerability of his character alongside his arrogance and selfishness. Behets, on the other hand, brings a natural grace to her performance conveying emotion in a subdued manner.

Colin Eggleston has created timeless horror movie, which presents a fresh perspective on traditional horror tropes. By mixing natural elements with horror elements, the movie stands out as a unique piece of storytelling, which keeps the viewer engaged throughout.

In conclusion, Long Weekend is a must-watch for any movie buff or horror fan. Its unique storytelling and captivating character development make it the benchmark for horror-thriller genre. The movie offers a masterclass in minimalistic, subtle horror and keeps the audience hooked until the end.

Long Weekend is a 1979 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes.