Backwater arrives on DVD and Digital this November from Osiris Entertainment.

Director: Christopher Schrack

Cast: Thomas Daniel, Andrew Roth, Justin Tully, Liana Werner-Gray.

A couple goes camping in the middle of nowhere. Things go wrong, people try and kill them. This is far from an original story, and has been the base plot to a wide variety of films, both horror and non-horror. Although from the outset Backwater is exactly the same, it transforms itself into something completely different and much more original as the film progresses.

Backwater starts with young and beautiful couple Cass and Mark who are on a secluded getaway in the American countryside. Whilst they enjoy the solitude their peace is broken by a distant scream. As they go and investigate they encounter two strangers in the same woods as them. Whilst they initially seem to be harmless, things soon go awry and although this may still sound like a typical plot, things take a turn for the unexpected and the film moves up a gear.

The first act is slow, and although it is there to build a relationship and a bond with the two leads it doesn’t offer much in terms of character development other than provide a glimpse into their seemingly happy relationship. The actors themselves give fairly solid performances, though it is difficult to believe the relationship at points.

As the film slides into the second third and we are introduced to two new and mysterious characters the pace begins to quicken and the film hits its stride. We begin to see much more character depth and a plot that is much more developed than we initially give it credit for. There are aspects of muddle within the plot, and towards the end it does lose its way slightly, however the fact Schrack even attempts to develop the narrative to the extent he does given the independent nature of the production is credit worthy.

Whilst it may be said that the film utilises too many different aspects it does make a welcome change from the usual Eden Lake style indie backwoods slasher horrors that have become so popular since Deliverance. It is refreshing to see a director and writer develop the plot beyond ‘couple get split up out in the woods and are surrounded by maniacs’ as has been done to death by the Wrong Turn ilk. Despite Backwater veering slightly of course at points it remains an intriguing foray into the sub-genre.

Backwater has a definite indie feel to it, and there is the atmosphere of found footage/handheld camera stylings which add an almost Blair Witchesque feel to the film. The environment is used well to add to the tension and the stripped back nature of the production. The practical effects provide a satisfying level of gore that ensure the film sticks to its slasher motif without slipping too far into the realms of psychological thriller. When you consider the films meagre $40,000 budget what it achieves visually is impressive, if not completely encompassing.

Backwater may present as an all too typical backwoods slasher however some perseverance will reward viewers with something much more thought out. Although the film has its downsides and occasionally feels like it loses its way, this can be mostly forgiven when you consider the indie production and the limitations that can bring with it. Backwater may not be ground breaking, but it is an interesting indie horror in its own right, and deserving of some of your time.

Rating: 3/5