It is always exciting when the Australian film industry dares to make a genre film, particularly so when it's captivating cinema. The most recent example is Jennifer Kent's unique, masterful horror film The Babadook. The latest genre entry is the psychological thriller/horror Backtrack.
The film focuses on Peter Bower (Adrien Brody) a disturbed psychotherapist who suffers from nightmares and creepy visions following the death of his daughter a year earlier. Upon receiving a series of strange patients on the recommendation of Duncan Stewart (Sam Neill), he is thrust into a mystery concerning his past and the supernatural.
While competently made, with nice camerawork and an atmospheric tone, it is ultimately very cliched and extremely predictable — from the haunted doctor, a dead child, to ghostly messages with standard jump scares littered throughout, eventually ending in a contrived manner. It's unfortunate, as this genre fare refreshingly utilises Australian locations, such as the University Of Sydney, Central Station and country areas effectively.
Adrien Brody gamely adopts an Australian accent and manages to feel like an authentic local while elevating his role from the material with his natural emotive depth. There is also strong, local talent in support such as Robin McLeavy, though the likes of Bruce Spence and Sam Neill are shamefully underutilised.
Backtrack does entertain, with a strong performance from Brody, but ultimately is formulaic.
