Loop Track (2023)

 Loop Track is a surprising film, and what that surprise is can not be stated without ruining it so that will not happen here. It plays as a psychological thriller about Ian a timid man weary of the world and needing to get away from society. He decides to take to the backpacking trails of the New Zealand bush. Ill prepared and inexperienced at backpacking his adventure proves difficult but his design for solitude pushes him forward. He is obviously suffering anxiety and at least while alone he can escape the part of it involving other people. Unfortunately he finds avoiding people on the trail just as hard as in life at home and is forced to take strange maneuvers and paths to avoid interactions with other hikers. Anyone who has spent time in the woods like I have understands how hard this can become. Besides casual interaction when different walking paces initiate introductions and at least pleasant good days. There are people who seem to adopt other hikers because there are only so many shelters on the trails and people often come together at them by the end of the day.

In the early part of the film we see this in an exaggerated way first with Ian avoiding people and when he can no longer do that get glommed onto by a fellow hiker , Nicky who is super unaware of his impact on Ian and can not shut his trap. Two other people Austin and Monica are at the shelter when they arrive and the four people fall into travelling together as that can happen. Ian's anxiety increases during interactions even though relationships form.

The film plays out leaving us to wonder about Ian's state of mind, is he hallucinating shapes in the forest? When the foursome find gear left at there next hut he start's to wonder if something nefarious has taken place, or is he just a bit paranoid. The writing does a nice job at pulling the viewer back and forth in Ian's struggle with his thoughts. While still leaving the idea that something more dangerous could be looming in the story.

When the turn in the story takes place it really is sort of cool, at this point Ian's character is properly setup to not be believed. The trail mates that adopted him start trying to think of strategies to deal with a very scared and paranoid fellow hiker. The movie then becomes something else as everyone learns the truth about what is going on.

I found this film rather enjoyable and think you should give it a chance and of course wait for the turn.