Red Billabong, An Australian Creature Feature With A Killer Bunyip

Luke Sparke (“Occupation” 2018) is the writer and director for Red Billabong. It’s a film about two brothers discovering that the house they inherited might not be the windfall they were looking for. Although the movie definitely has a few issues, I was impressed by quite a few things while watching. Yowie movies are generally sought by film lovers looking for a creature feature, but there aren’t many good ones in most cases. This movie is a great example of a creative way to get more bang for your buck. It’s also one heck of a story. 

The legend of the Bunyip is widespread throughout Australian culture. Like an American Sasquatch or Barghest in the United Kingdom, the Bunyip could very well be a terrifying creature. This is a story about two brothers. They always knew about the legends and the terrifying things that had happened in their quiet outback homestead. But now it feels like they are all coming true. Old friends are turning up dead.

Bunyip Horror Films in the Billabong

Firstly, Red Billabong isn’t a film that will get your blood pumping because it’s a bit slow at times. Simply put though, it’s a pretty cool folk-lore-filled creature feature. I’ve turned off a few flicks this week, and this has enough story and intrigue to see it out. The narrative especially gives way to some fairly original concepts about what the bunyip is up to.

Mother of Movies has watched a few films using the humble Bunyip, Yeti, Big Foot, or whatever name you wish to give these mythical creatures as a backdrop in their cinematic landscape. There’s the cult hit Troll Hunter (2010) which would have to be my favorite. A new release Primal Rage (2018)was filled with hits and misses and old-school There’s Something in the Pilliga (2014) is a found footage attempt that didn’t quite reach the heights it could have. 

I didn’t think the Red Billabong movie was half bad. Performances from the small cast ranged from completely solid to one or two feeling a touch forced.

Yowie Movies

The creature itself isn’t terrible. If this was made on a low budget, it’s a low-budget film filled with finesse. In the middle when the Bunyip is making more of a nuisance of itself, there is a genuine feeling of tension. There is an excellent use of lighting to make this work and some clever glimpses of something lurking about. The crew who worked on this knew a lil’ somethin’ somethin’.

Some of the CGI towards the latter end was a bit shaky but I’ve certainly seen worse (I’m looking at you The Asylum.)  The Bunyip’s massive stature isn’t accounted for in scenes where there is an attempted capture. This thing is huge and a couple of guys and a net just won’t do guys. I bet there was a lot of discussion surrounding how big to make him too. Too small, he’s laughable, and any bigger and we’d have Jurassic Bunyip.

B-Grade Cheesy Fun in Red Billabong

This creature isn’t just your smash-and-bash type monster. He has plans and he’s mythical. Furthermore, there are lots of comedic elements that take the edge off the B-grade cheese which makes it fun. I loved a particular reference given by Mr. Garvey (Gregory J. Fryer) to him asking where the ‘final girl is.’

If only the runtime was tighter and some earlier scenes of yap-yap reduced. I felt there was irrelevant chatter and it didn’t add a lot to the story. The characters weren’t fleshed out enough to create strong enough connections with some. Relationships that got built up by taking up a good chunk of time didn’t make me barrack any harder for their survival.

Lastly, one final thing because I have to mention the dog. The dog was particularly good in this and I hope he went on to do further roles. I can’t believe he’s not listed in the bill because I wanted to see if he’d acted before.

I give Red Billabong

3 pump-action boomerangs out of 5

Where to Watch Red Billabong

• Watch Red Billabong Bunyip film in Australia — Rent this on Ozflix.com for cheap

Release Date for Red Billabong 2016

• Studio: SparkeFilms History Design with Pinnacle Films.
• Writer and Director: Luke Sparke.
• Release: August 2016 with DVD premiere in February 2017.
• Starring: Dan Ewing (Home & Away TV Series), Tim Pocock (X-Men: Origins 2009), Jessica Green (Ash vs Evil Dead 2018), Sophie Don (Home & Away TV series), and Ben Chisholm (Occupation 2018.)