Melissa George not only has lips, but as this movie proves, she also has legs. Movies are more than just opportunities to get up in the grill of really hot people right? Yes, but it takes about half an hour to get over the cast in this American/Australian/British/tri-citizenship film. In the Peter’s ice cream freezer, Liam Hemsworth is a Maxibon because he’s meaty and manly (this point is really drummed home in his flano and wife beater combo). Melissa George is the lemonade ice block; pale to the eye but an old favourite. Emma Lung is the limited edition ice cream of the moment because she never fails to be fresh and exciting. ‘Triangle’ is gripping and the trailer really does nothing except set low expectations by setting you up to think it’s going to be more corny than it is.

All the American touches including the accents are very distracting. As an Aussie it’s hard to believe that our local heroes from ‘McLeod’s Daughters’ and ‘Suburban Mayhem’ are really fun loving Americans. It does make the whole thing feel even more bizarre though, which arguably works for the vibe and could help with this movie’s international reception, especially since it’s bound to develop a cult following on DVD.

Melissa George plays downright spooked from the get go, the reason for which is revealed later as the multi-layered plot unfolds at just the right pace. Director Chris Smith is clearly no stranger to the psychological horror genre, with the interior of the ocean liner where much of the action takes place, evoking the hallways of the Overlook hotel; movements half caught in mirrors and of course the room 237 is where the real bloodcurdling moments happen.

Following the genre tradition of drilling home, or in this case, shooting, axing and nailing, a prevailing morality, ‘Triangle’ has its roots in the more realistic and off-beat rather than the blaring obvious. It’s a slasher film that distinguishes itself from the Scream pack with an inventive plot, propelled along by some heart stopping moments of highly realistic action and clever editing. The dialogue is plausible enough to avoid being a cliché, like so many horror film opening acts. The only thing more mysterious than the mood of the film is why isn’t it getting a wider release? A film for ‘thrill seekers with brains’. Actually, maybe that’s your answer.

National Release Date: 29 April 2010
Running Time: 99 minutes
Rating: MA 15+

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