Directed by Steffen Haars and written by leading actor Nick Frost, a family’s vacation to a remote getaway takes an unexpected turn when they discover the island they’re on is inhabited by a serial killer. Also starring: Aisling Bea, Maisie Ayres, Sebastian Croft, Jouko Ahola, Eero Milonoff, Ville Virtanen, Anitta Suikkari and Petteri Hiltunen.
Whatever has inspired Nick Frost’s most recent horror sojourn, fans can be grateful because he’s clearly both a great fit and a fan of the genre. Get Away is pretty much the perfect example with Frost serving both as a lead and writer, it proves just how good he is at mixing horror and comedy and creating a genuine piece of entertainment. This is a fantastic film for people who like a bit of violence that doesn’t take itself too seriously, that acknowledges its ridiculous nature and has fun with it.
The dark sense of humour is out in full force right from the start, there’s so many nods to classic formulas of horror and the core quartet of Frost, Aisling Bea, Maisie Ayres and Sebastian Croft perfectly form that family dynamic. There’s a tonne of The Wicker Man vibes, a little bit of Drag Me to Hell and so much more, Steffen Haars does a wonderful job of creating that creepy, foreboding atmosphere. Especially when it’s paired with such a scenic background, they really picked the perfect setting for this one.
It’s very British and very violent, you perhaps won’t be expecting things to be quite as bloodthirsty as the end result but it’s hugely entertaining. There’s something so satisfying when horror films just let loose and get nicely creative with their carnage. It’s a factor that all horror fans can appreciate, Get Away ticks that box perfectly. The way that the plot progresses is perfectly timed, the pacing is excellent, and it comes in at a strong eighty-six minutes, right in the sweet spot.
All of which is great on its own but is brought to life so terrifically by the cast. It’s a no-brainer that coupling up Frost and Bea was a recipe for success, those two know how to hit the comedic timing and add in darkness. Maisie Ayres and Sebastian Croft bring in the younger dynamic, they’re nicely sarcastic, and competitive yet co-operative. The four of them together are excellent, the tone is so very natural and they’re effortless to watch.
There’s then also the other side of that coin, our Swedish quota who fill out the ensemble perfectly. Starting with Eero Milonoff who is a superb choice to bring in when you want to up your creepy quota, he has a strong and disturbing presence. Anitta Suikkari is also an undeniable highlight, the energy and fervour she brings to this role are everything you could want.
Get Away is a brilliant blend of horror and comedy, making for one very bloody and very entertaining outing. It’s shot so well to make use of the hugely aesthetic setting which feeds perfectly into the creepy atmosphere. Steffen Haars creates that strong air of fun, which is then filled out by an excellent piece of casting as this ensemble are without a single weakness. To top it all off, they complete their scenes of mass violence with a perfect needle drop. A must watch for any horror fan.
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