Written and Directed by Greg Page

Along the way, they end up taking a dirt road that will supposedly lead them to the beach. Before they can even start driving down the road, a car pulls up with two attractive young women (Aidee Walker and Kate Elliott) who ask them if they are headed to the party? The guys naturally say they are and then must try to keep up with the women, who drive insanely fast down the dirt road.

The guys nearly crash into another car as they follow the girls and end up in a ditch. Suddenly stranded out in the middle of nowhere with the girls nowhere in sight, the guys go searching for a house with a phone to call for help. It’s here the movie changes gears as transient people start following them, leading to the dark truth of the area and those who reside there.

THE LOCALS reminds me of a cross between THE FRIGHTENERS and THE HILLS HAVE EYES. Director Greg Page creates unpredictable film that is somewhat tense but tries to use humor to separate the film from a slew of other films with a similar setting. It isn’t as violent or as raw as THE HILLS HAVE EYES but it’s similar in the way that there is a group of people "living" out in a deserted area.

The actors bring enthusiasm and match Page’s energy in this supernatural horror film.

John Barker plays the tall calm everyman character Grant. He comes across likable and you care about him. Dwayne Cameron is zany and lends his talent to the comedic aspects of the film. Peter McCauley is a real threatening presence as Bill the leader of THE LOCALS. Kate Elliott was somewhat over the top at times but I really liked Aidee Walker. Walker has a very fresh face and has natural charisma on the screen. I must also mention Paul Glover who brings a tense stillness to the character Martin. I recognized Glover immediately as he played similar quiet intensity as one of the mental hospital security guards in Scott Reynolds masterpiece THE UGLY.

Speaking of THE UGLY, it was nice to hear Victoria Kelly music again. Her creepy score really helped make THE LOCALS feel scary. Also THE UGLY Editor Wayne Cook does another super job piecing together this film and giving it editorial power.

Greg Page brings his incredible enthusiasm to the audio commentary. Page keeps things lively speaking about how the cast and crew worked in cold dark conditions out in the middle of the countryside. He says the film was shot in the similar area LORD OF THE RINGS was shot and admitted he couldn’t help but mention the film within his movie because it is so big in New Zealand. Page also says that many of the jokes within the film are directly aimed at New Zealanders because that is where the cast and crew came from.

The behind the scenes featurette is quick and to the point. The trailer is included also.

This film certainly has something different to say than most of the copycat remakes, lame sequels and other monotonous crap out there. Visit THE LOCALS.