Wolf Creek: Origin (2014)

Thanks for the book review, Sian. I haven’t read this but it sounds like it stays within the world of WOLF CREEK!!

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WARNING: Contains graphic scenes of animal cruelty and bestiality.

Oh sweet Jesus, where do I begin? I brought this book for one reason and one reason only, because I loved WOLF CREEK, and personally think Mick Taylor is the creepiest Australian movie character since that ferret child from Mad Max, and as a result I know have a soft squishy spot in my heart for Jeff Jarratt right next to Robert Englund and Malcolm McDowell. This was an unusual event for me because I long ago learnt my lesson when it comes to reading a book based on a movie. It is usually much like watching a movie based on a book, only reversed. BUT, I am a proud Aussie gal, and I do love Mr. Taylor.

Have you seen WOLF CREEK? It was a wonderful little slasher movie that seemed to take the world by storm and ended with John Jarratt landing a cameo in Django because Tarantino loved it so much . (Oh and some bonus info for you here, the wonderful Jarratt is best known to us Aussies as a TV handy man who at one point married a children’s TV  presenter. I think that just makes his performance all the more creepy). In fact, there is a nice little quote from him on the front of this book: ‘one of the great horror film heavies of the last 25 years’. Now, there is WOLF CREEK 2, and apparently a series of prequel novels, of which WOLF CREEK: ORIGINS is the first. These books are designed to give the history of the wonderfully insane Mick Taylor, but, I’m starting with criticisms. There is too much of an attempt to fill this book with Aussie-isms, if that is even a thing. Yes we have a rich dictionary of odd slang terms, and yes there are certain areas of the “outback” where you are more likely to hear these terms used, but that doesn’t mean you have to try and stuff as many in as possible. And I am so over G’day, though, I was quite happy to see “fuck stick” finally used in a narrative, that has been long overdue. Added to this is the constant use of New Zealand phonetics when it comes to Cutter. Now, the wider world may not know of the strange rivalry between Australia and New Zealand, and in particular may not appreciate that the main way we express this friendly little competition is to mock their accent. Even though I get this, the clever use of “cun’t” instead of “can’t” ceases to amuse after the second time (and I think I am even being generous here).

co-author & director, Greg McLean

The other issue I have is the animal stuff. I know serial killers often practice on animals, and then have no qualms with that kind of thing once they graduate to two legged prey, but that doesn’t make it any easier to read. Now…obviously I have no problem with the torture and slaughter of fictional humans, but the animal thing bothers me. A lot. I also do not like reading about people having sex with animals, much for the same reasons. Particularly not in the nostril. Enough said.

Now that’s out of the way, I’ll clue you in on the story. Mick is a young man in his late teens, and he has just started working as a jackaroo on a Western Australian sheep station – jackaroo being a term for basic farm hand that gets shit work, usually with sheep. He’s been sent here after a series of unfortunate events, which includes Mick beating a guy so hard with a stick his eye fell out. The narrative switches between Mick as a nineteen year old and Mick as a nine year old. Nine year old Mick is having a day at the water hole with his sister when a strange man in a strange car pulls up and starts acting all….odd. Trying to hand out candy, and staring just a little too long at his sister. Mick doesn’t like it, and manages to fend off the odd ball. This doesn’t save his sister, however, and a bloody, mute Mick returns home alone to abusive alcoholic father and immobile alcoholic mother. The past narratives continue along this vein, detailing the after math of his sister’s death, the abusive nature of his father, the squalid conditions of his childhood, and his eventual forced flight from the family home when, at nine, Mick is chased out and is forced to go bush by his father, almost leading to his death from starvation, dehydration and some funky virus. After a while he returns home. Things happen…..fucked up, gruesome, horrible things.

I think you all know this man!!

The present narrative begins when Mick is dropped off outside the sheep station. This is literally Mick’s last chance at staying straight, and strings have been pulled to get him this position. As a jackaroo he is classed as a shit kicker, and the first mate he makes is a slightly slow bloke they like to call Opey, as in Opium, because “he is a slow-moving dope”. He also seems to immediately make himself some enemies. One is a New Zealander (Kiwi) called Cutter, the head shooter on the station, who immediately takes a dislike to Mick, particularly after he pats the man’s horse. His other enemy, Jock, is also a shooter. Their dislike of Mick is instantaneous, and it leads to much trouble.

Now then…..in a Dexter Morgan like twist, it turns out Mick isn’t the only psychopath on the station, and her certainly isn’t the only psychopath in the area. One night, after one of his psychopathic rage attacks, he loses his station knife, which is quite the hassle. He used it to kill a city man, so it is covered in his blood. It also has his initials engraved on the hilt, and he is pretty sure it has been picked up by whoever has been observing him on his last two kills. In order to regain his knife. One thing leads to another and Mick has to search out the remaining four psychopaths who he is sharing turf with, one of which has been unwittingly supplied with his knife.

co-author, Aaron Sterns

While all this is going on, Mick manages to find a form of love with a masochistic prostitute. Of course, these things tend to not end well for psychotics with homicidal tendencies, and things get a little messy. This all comes to a nice little head together, and ends in a somewhat unexpected way, leading onto the second instalment of the prequels. Along the way there is plenty of murder and mayhem, and some unexpectedly amusing exchanges. There are also a couple of surprises thrown in for good measure.

There is a definite Aussie quality to the writing, and it paints a pretty vivid picture of a rural community, however I do feel like too much effort has been put into being shocking in unexpected ways. All in all though, I would recommend this for a slasher fan, and those of you who like the psychological aspect to slashers /serial killers will appreciate it as well. I am taking points off for the animal stuff though. It left a bad taste in my mouth.

Extract:

     ‘You’re a psycho,’ Jock slurs. “You killed me fucken dog.’
‘You deserved it. But I never put it in the stew. So now I gotta get you back for what you did.’
Jock blinks at him. ‘You reckon this is a game?’
‘No, Jocky. Just what’s right.’ Then he drags the dirt-covered bag behind him out into view and cracks open its ties. The smell of rotting flesh escapes and Jock gags. Prepared, Mick merely turns away and wrinkles his nose. ‘Phewy. She’s ripe. Don’t think age has done old Bullet too kindly.’
Jock stares into the maw if the bag and tries to skitter away. From the street there’s the sound of voices, a car starting up, and Jock draws in breath to yell. Mick boots him in the chest.
‘This is between the two of us. Man to man.’ He Waits for the car to pull away, the pub’s lights to turn off inside as the publican calls it for the night. Jock looks up with bugging eyes. “What are you -?’

     Mick empties the bag into his lap, slips in behind and grabs the back of his neck as Jock stares down in horror. ‘Ya already accused me of it. So y’might as well do it now. And then you’ll always know.’
The grinning half-decayed skull of the greyhound rests against Jock’s crotch, looking up at its owner. The rabbiter tries to scream but is too terrified. Mick holds him tight and takes out his knife, reaches around and cuts off a sliver of green flesh from its muzzle.

Sian’s Summary:

Authors: Greg McLean & Aaron Sterns

Plot: 7.5/10

Horror Elements: 8/10

Zombie Mayhem: 0/10

Reviewed by Sian

Stay Bloody!!!