Review: Hounds of Love
Blu-ray & DVD: Hounds of Love (2016)
Loosely based on real life events, Hounds of Love is a nail biting psychological thriller by Australian writer/director Ben Young.
Set in 1980’s Perth, Australia, John and Evelyn White (Stephen Curry and Emma Booth) are a depraved couple who abduct and murder young girls. Evelyn begrudgingly concedes to Stephen’s ever more vile demands, as she is under the impression that if she continues to help him, she can get her 2 kids back into their lives.
One fateful evening, Vicky (Ashleigh Cummings) defies her mothers wishes and sneaks out to go to a party. On the way there a car pulls alongside her and asks if she’d like any drugs. Wanting to make an impression at the party, Vicky agrees to get into the car and go to the house with the couple where the drugs are stored. Little does she know that the drink she is offered while at the house is laced with a substance that affects her senses. Now at the mercy of John and Evelyn, she is chained to a bed and used as a sexual plaything by them both. Her only hope is that her mother and boyfriend can somehow piece together pieces of a puzzle that will lead them to her location before her ultimate demise.
Hounds of Love will have you biting your nails, gripping the seat and sweating profusely as the events unfold before you. Slivers of hope appear for Vicky to escape, only to be dashed in some of the most heartbreaking ways. Your hatred for John progressively builds up with every passing minute and act of cruelty that he does to Vicky, to Evelyn, and culminating with a gut wrenching scene with their dog.
Stephen Curry gives a fantastic performance as a sleazy, psychopathic control freak, whose every move makes you feel dirty just watching him. The mere act of giving a wink to Evelyn as he passes by her doorway sent shivers down my spine.
Emma Booth is unrecognisable as Evelyn, and her subtle transformation using a wig, false teeth and freckles changes her completely, and is also shown in one of the special features on the disc. Despite the horrific acts that she is compliant with, she exudes a sense of hopelessness that you can’t help but feel for.
Ashleigh Cummings has you rooting for Vicky, and the constant state of fear and panic that she is in must have been completely exhausting during filming.
Hounds of Love is a hard watch and definitely not a movie to unwind with on a weekend evening. However, if you want to see stellar performances across the entire cast, and a story that will have you hooked from beginning to end, then this definitely must go onto your ‘to buy’ list. Just be prepared for a manicure after watching to fix those gnawed nails!
SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
• Original 5.1 audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Interviews with actors Stephen Curry, Emma Booth and Ashleigh Cummings
• Behind-the-Scenes
• Two short films from Hounds of Love director Ben Young: ‘Something Fishy’ (2010) and ‘Bush Basher’ (2011)
• John Butler Trio “Only One” music video, directed by Ben Young
• Trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring two artwork options
Hounds of Love is released on 29th January 2018 and you can buy it by clicking HERE. ALL money raised by purchasing from Amazon via our website is given back to our listeners and followers in upcoming competition prizes. The more people buy, the bigger our prizes.
Review by Dave (host of 60 Minutes With) from a disc kindly supplied by Arrow Films.
