The Horseman (2008)

61% of critics liked it
(28 reviews)
57% of users liked it
(2,060 ratings)

A seemingly ordinary man turns to violence in this independent thriller from Australia. Christian Forteski (Peter Marshall) is a businessman whose teenage daughter Jesse (Hannah Levien) has been living on the edge since her parents divorced. Jesse runs away from home, and several weeks later… More A seemingly ordinary man turns to violence in this independent thriller from Australia. Christian Forteski (Peter Marshall) is a businessman whose teenage daughter Jesse (Hannah Levien) has been living on the edge since her parents divorced. Jesse runs away from home, and several weeks later Christian's anxiety about his missing daughter turns into rage when he receives a video in the mail of Jesse being brutally raped. Normally level headed, Christian jumps into his car and sets out to find whoever is responsible for making the video, starting with the people who mailed it to him. While heading north to Queensland, Christian picks up Alice (Caroline Marohasy), a teenage hitchhiker who reminds him a bit of Jesse. Christian and Alice strike up a friendship, and she begins to see the older man as someone she can trust, without knowing that Christian was turned into a deranged killing machine, leaving a trail of victims as he drives across the country to avenge his daughter. The Horseman was the first feature film from writer and director Steven Kastrissios; it was expanded from a short film by Kastrissios which was a prizewinner at the 2006 Queensland New Filmmaker Awards. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Steven Kastrissios
Written By: Steven Kastrissios
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Aug 3, 2008 Wide
On DVD: Mar 1, 2010
Studio: Screen Media Ventures

Critic Reviews

David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
A gritty, uncompromising thriller...
Anton Bitel, Little White Lies
a hard-hitting, sympathy-confounding thriller that painfully interrogates our own muddled feelings about the sex industry, retribution, and the limits of love, fatherly or otherwise - with an electrifying performance from Marshall.
Simon Miraudo, Quickflix
It offers better performances than you usually find in a bloodthirsty flick such as this, and heralds the debut of an exciting new filmmaker. The Horseman is for those who like their revenge films unburdened by emotional complexity.
Steve "Uncle Creepy" Barton, Dread Central
The Horseman is a thought-provoking and harrowing experience that you'll probably end up talking about long after the credits have rolled. Straight horror or not, this one is well worth the watch!
Jason Di Rosso, The Age (Australia)
For all the rough edges, and perhaps because of them, The Horseman is compelling voyeurism, and the two leads are near on perfect.
Philippa Hawker, The Age (Australia)
Marshall's performance, as the desperate, driven father, is striking; it gives the film an emotional centre without ever diminishing the horror of his character's actions.
Margaret Pomeranz, At the Movies (Australia)
Certainly The Horseman is a calling card for Kastrissios' skills as a filmmaker; one just hopes he doesn't make The Horseman 2.
Lachlan Huddy, Empire Magazine Australasia
Steve Kastrissios announces himself as one to watch with this very good thriller, which is smart, relentless and makes the most of it's limitations.
Sophie Watson, FILMINK (Australia)
The Horseman is utterly repulsive and beautiful at the same time, shot skillfully with varying degrees of shutter-speed adding to the hazy depth of Christian's mental fracture.
Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile
A riveting revenge thriller, this debut by Steven Kastrissios seems certain to set him on a career path similar to one started by Greg McLean after his debut, Wolf Creek, as a calling card to attract international attention
Thomas Caldwell, Cinema Autopsy
The Horseman is a gripping revenge film with an incredible kinetic energy.
Edward Porter, Times [UK]
For such a film, The Horseman is too short of flair - there's not enough of it to distract us from the nastiness.
Philip French, Observer [UK]
A disgusting, repetitive, badly scripted movie, lacking any redeeming feature.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
This unflinchingly horrific revenge thriller has a whiff of Death Wish in its story of a father exacting retribution far beyond reason. But this ultra-violent bloodlust makes it hard to find a character to identify with.
, Empire Magazine
Unless you're a fan of the whole 'torture porn' genre, you'd be hard-pressed to actually enjoy it.
Trevor Johnston, Time Out
It's mean and upsetting, but though the cruelty may undermine the message of vengeance breeding vengeance, it's never presented as slickly enjoyable or a facile solution.
Ali Catterall, Film4
Despite some good performances and technical flair, The Horseman remains stuck in the paddock.
Toby Young, Times [UK]
For a revenge thriller, The Horseman strays dangerously close to "torture porn" territory, but it's so well made that you're almost willing to excuse the gratuitous close-ups.
Catherine Shoard, Guardian [UK]
Biblical parallels are laid on with crowbar delicacy.

Read all 19 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lady D

To call this mindless violence would be inaccurate. Whilst incredibly violent in a very gritty way, the acting is of high standard and the storyline realistic, the violence is the outcome of a man pushed to his limits and is destroyed by events. The main character was really… More
To call this mindless violence would be inaccurate. Whilst incredibly violent in a very gritty way, the acting is of high standard and the storyline realistic, the violence is the outcome of a man pushed to his limits and is destroyed by events. The main character was really impressive, a great revenge flick, with a dark character that you can empathise with.
Lee ?

Violent Aussie revenge film about a father on the hunt for the men who were responsible for the death of his daughter after they fuelled her with drink and drugs during a porn shoot. It's gritty and brutal with some scenes of torture but it's shies away from showing anything… More
Violent Aussie revenge film about a father on the hunt for the men who were responsible for the death of his daughter after they fuelled her with drink and drugs during a porn shoot. It's gritty and brutal with some scenes of torture but it's shies away from showing anything in graphic detail. The film does get a little slow during the middle parts and it isn't as strong as other revenge films out there. A real good attempt for its budget.
Steve K

A revenge flick done right. No big surprises, but a consistent tone and potent violence keep this on track.
♥˩ƳИИ &

Peter Marshall, Caroline Marohasy, Brad McMurray, Hannah Levien, Evert McQueen, Jack Henry, Christopher Sommers DIRECTED BY: Steven Kastrissios A tender drama unfolds between a grieving father and a troubled teenage girl as they drive northbound along the quiet outback roads of… More
Peter Marshall, Caroline Marohasy, Brad McMurray, Hannah Levien, Evert McQueen, Jack Henry, Christopher Sommers DIRECTED BY: Steven Kastrissios A tender drama unfolds between a grieving father and a troubled teenage girl as they drive northbound along the quiet outback roads of Australia. What she doesn't know is that between stops, he is leaving behind a bloody trail of bodies in a revenge motivated killing spree. Wow... Peter Marshall gave such an amazing performance as the grief stricken father out for revenge and answers. I have yet to see such a fantastic revenge thriller. This blew me away at what this man did to those sick individuals. I mean there are some pretty gruesome parts that are sometimes camera shy in some movies. Meaning they never really show whats happening on screen. But that's not the case with this film. It has a good paste to, no slow moments here. It's action packed from beginning to end. It keeps your attention throughout, and definitely keeps you entertained. You can't help but care for the main character to the point you even root him on in his quest. There are no surprises or big twists, and truthfully this film didn't need any. To simplify it: This is a film that shows you what lengths a parent will go to when they have lost everything they lived for.
Fascade F

If angst and frustration could ever be used to keep your eyes and attention riveted to a movie, this is undeniably that choice.A father bent on finding out who was responsible for his daughter's untimely demise. goes on a road trip fueled with gaining revenge for those… More
If angst and frustration could ever be used to keep your eyes and attention riveted to a movie, this is undeniably that choice.A father bent on finding out who was responsible for his daughter's untimely demise. goes on a road trip fueled with gaining revenge for those responsible for that crime.Throw in a teen aged run away girl in to assist him sustain his already thin level of compassion...and you have an adventure too dangerous but remorseful for the father in search of retribution, See this...it is intense!
Jason R

Mix the intensity of TAKEN, with every revenge film you have ever seen. And it probably won't even come close to being as brutal, or good as this movie. Peter Marshall is a phenomenal talent and much in the same way as Liam Neeson did in TAKEN. It is a complete shock and welcome… More
Mix the intensity of TAKEN, with every revenge film you have ever seen. And it probably won't even come close to being as brutal, or good as this movie. Peter Marshall is a phenomenal talent and much in the same way as Liam Neeson did in TAKEN. It is a complete shock and welcome change to see an actor that looks like a normal person to be in this type of highly technical and action packed revenge film. The minute he stuck an air pump into the guys dick, I said to myself. BEST MOVIE EVER! And to be honest it really is a pretty damn good movie.
Christopher B

Much like a combination of Princess and Dead Man?s Shoes. For those who like vigilante films this should be a must see, but I can see where some people may find it uninspired.
Barry L

Please please please see this film. The subject matter is extremely unpleasant but the film deals with it brilliantly. The acting by the father Brad McMurray was just superb and so realistic. The violence was realistic and genuine and the plot was brilliant. A wise man once said that… More
Please please please see this film. The subject matter is extremely unpleasant but the film deals with it brilliantly. The acting by the father Brad McMurray was just superb and so realistic. The violence was realistic and genuine and the plot was brilliant. A wise man once said that to take the path of revenge you must first dig two graves...its true but you just would I I would go about it the same way if I had too..