In doing so, the groans and blood-curdling screams of Vicki are amplified significantly. Although there are disturbing scenes of abuse, the assault scenes are filmed either from a distance, out of focus, or just out of frame. Young never falters from this minimalist approach.

A few images of bloody clothes, signs of struggle, the couple’s hounds chewing on alarmingly large bones, and the digging of what one can only assume is the grave of an unfortunate victim, sets the tone for the slow-burning buildup to the film’s intense climax.

source: Gunpowder & Skyįrom the film’s opening shots of uniformed schoolgirls playing volleyball, to various filler shots of increasingly younger children playing in sprinklers, at parks, and on lawns as the murderous duo stalk the town, Young uses hyper-slow-motion, dragging out the otherwise harmless images outside the context of this film to unsettle the viewer. Young establishes a quiet community that keeps to itself, including members of the inadequate and aloof law enforcement, making it prime territory for our Bonnie and Clyde-esque sexual assailants, Evelyn ( Booth) and John ( Curry), to wreak havoc as they please.

The film takes place on the rural outskirts of Perth, the most isolated city in the world, in 1987. With Hounds of Love, Young utilizes the setting to maximum effect. If you can brave the storm, there is sunshine on the horizon, though it barely shines through in this grisly tale of suffering and survival. However, there is an unusual depth to and surprising payoff at the end of Hounds of Love that elevates its subject matter. I’ve seen every entry into the horror genre, from The Last House On The Left (1972), to Cannibal Holocaust, Ichi The Killer, Irreversible, and everything in-between, and viewing Hounds of Love is a truly emotionally trying experience on par with some of the most disturbing horror films out there. This is a warning: this film does not contain explicit images, but it may shock and disturb viewers to their limits. Stephen Curry, Emma Booth, and Ashleigh Cummings give committed performances, disappearing in their characters and the secluded setting that Young creates. Young’s awareness of the horror genre, nauseating building of suspense, and ability to keep the viewer guessing until the film’s final moments are remarkable for a feature film debut. Writer and director Ben Young, a Perth, Australia native, understands nuance, leaving most of the events that take place throughout the film implied. Brace yourselves, for Hounds of Love is the most terrifying torture porn film since the genre’s inception.

Hounds of love sex scene