Gone (2006)

50% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
23% of users liked it
(3,151 ratings)

The Ringan Ledwidge-directed, Andrew Upton and James Watkins-scripted psychological thriller Gone (a U.S.-British-Australian co-production) follows in the footsteps of such shockers as The Company of Strangers and Kalifornia, as several innocent, unwitting young travelers inadvertently find… More The Ringan Ledwidge-directed, Andrew Upton and James Watkins-scripted psychological thriller Gone (a U.S.-British-Australian co-production) follows in the footsteps of such shockers as The Company of Strangers and Kalifornia, as several innocent, unwitting young travelers inadvertently find themselves at the mercy of a psychotic outsider who poses as a Good Samaritan. The story unfolds in the Australian outback, with Alex (Shaun Evans) en route to visit his girlfriend Sophie (Amelia Warner) in Byron. His intended plans take an unexpected left turn, however, when he misses his bus and accepts the offered assistance of another traveler, the seemingly benign American Taylor (Scott Mechlowicz). The men agree to spend the evening together and partake in a night of drunken excess with several women, but the next morning, Taylor takes a potentially incriminating Polaroid of Alex in bed with one of the girls. He nonetheless assures Alex that he has destroyed it, which assuages Alex's fears temporarily. When the men decide to remain together and travel across the outback with Sophie and her friend Ingrid, however, signs of duplicitous and shady behavior emerge from Taylor - including his overt sexual interest in Sophie, the threatening resurgence of the Polaroid, and Ingrid's sudden, inexplicable disappearance. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Ringan Ledwidge
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Horror

In Theaters: Mar 9, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Jan 25, 2005
Studio: United International

Critic Reviews

Megan Lehmann, Hollywood Reporter
First-time director Ringan Ledwidge conjures up an effectively creepy mood to accompany three young backpackers on an ill-fated road trip across the Aussie desert.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...suffers from an egregiously laid-back pace that ultimately negates its few positive attributes...
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
Debut feature for tv commercials director Ringan Ledwidge shows he has an innate sense of cinema, and handles the genre well and the outback looks gritty but great
Garth Franklin, Dark Horizons
Solid direction and well shot visuals cannot overcome the inherent problems from the mixed performances, thin script, off-putting characterizations, and languished pacing
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
In the end, the script lets the film down with its obvious twists, its naggingly illogical narrative and a general pointlessness.
Jamie Russell, Total Film
A final reel of arterial spray splatter empties itself in record time and when Gone finally gets going, it's gone too soon.
Wendy Ide, Times [UK]
You may be able to work out where it's going, but it's an enjoyable ride nonetheless.
Anton Bitel, Film4
You will be kept waiting for the twist that never comes in Ringan Ledwidge's derivative psycho-thriller, whose by-the-numbers plotting is as inevitable as roadkill.
Matthew Leyland, BBC
If only it had taken the characters' lead and strayed further from the beaten track...
Nigel Floyd, Time Out
Gone but not forgotten.
Alan Morrison, Empire Magazine
A potentially menacing first half is let down by a few cliches in the home stretch.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

This thriller story set against the searing skies of Australia's brutally beautiful outback is familiar between the true story of British's Joanna Lees and Australia's Wolf Creek. But it's different on about a friendly stranger who was trying to… More
This thriller story set against the searing skies of Australia's brutally beautiful outback is familiar between the true story of British's Joanna Lees and Australia's Wolf Creek. But it's different on about a friendly stranger who was trying to take over the British backpacker's girlfriend.
Gordon A

Very average psychological drama with no surprises but acceptable performances.
Steve B

"In the tradition of WOLF CREEK" it says, but it's really more like THE HITCHER... if you took all the thrills from that movie and stuffed them into the last five minutes. Largely unimpressed by this one.
Luke B

Your average run of the mill psycho psychological thriller. Although it follows all the regular plot patterns it does have some nice visuals of the vast dry landscapes of Australia. Mechlowicz also proves his worth by creating a chilled but eerie character despite a real motivation.… More
Your average run of the mill psycho psychological thriller. Although it follows all the regular plot patterns it does have some nice visuals of the vast dry landscapes of Australia. Mechlowicz also proves his worth by creating a chilled but eerie character despite a real motivation. Evans is also good but lacks a character that demonstrates any real need, and he comes off as unsympathetic. It builds up nice and slow. with some unsettling mystery thrown in, but not much happens until the end where everything is wrapped up very quickly. Watch it for the acting and cinematography and try not to expect too much from the plot, especially if you've seen The Hitcher (although this is better than the remake). The final shot, with the wailing vocals is very emotive and the rest of the film should have felt as powerful.
Chris M

Reminded me of a softened version of Wolf Creek. As for Gone, it was a film I just couldn't get into it.
John A

'Gone' attempts an opening set-up with some offbeat originality, but along the route cashes in the ending for generic convention, rendering nearly everything that preceded the finale all the more unsatisfying. It has been labelled a "contemporary psychological… More
'Gone' attempts an opening set-up with some offbeat originality, but along the route cashes in the ending for generic convention, rendering nearly everything that preceded the finale all the more unsatisfying. It has been labelled a "contemporary psychological thriller", but both psychology and thrills take a back seat to a formula stricken ride of uneasiness and later, gore. Alex is a British kid backpacking in Australia, and on his journey meets the charismatic, confident Taylor. They spend a drunken night with some girls before picking up Alex's girlfriend, Sophie who joins them on a road trip into the wilderness of the outback. It's far too obvious where the film is going from here. The plot bears some resemblance to that of 'The Hitcher', but it's focus is suspense rather than action. Fortunately, Scott Mechlowicz delivers a riveting performance. He embodies his sinister and psychologically disturbing character perfectly and makes him an imposing and striking force on a couple's relationship. Alex catches on to Taylor's mind games quicker than Sophie, who is one dim-witted character, and whose ridiculous decisions are a major cause of audience frustration. Both Shaun Evans and Amelia Warner, as Alex and Sophie respectively give unremarkable performances. 'Gone' certainly holds an eerie and spine-tingling atmosphere, but it's potential for genuinely chilling moments are replaced for a cliched chase-out between two of the characters. I needn't say who survives and how, really. The tension is built well, simmering for over an hour, but it boils over into a predictable, and utterly disappointing mess. 'Gone' makes an attempt to be a smart horror flick, but despite some genuine shocks and a character more interesting than those regular films of the genre, it only just reaches mediocrity.
Barry L

Quite a poor effort only getting going near the end....watchable enough though.