Loop Track is an original, at points subtly awkward humour-lined New Zealand psychological thriller from 2022. It’s a decidedly paranoid-fed affair, which finds a very nervous/on-edge man going for a hike convinced that someone or something is following him. The film manages to make the most of both its simple concept & clearly small budget- to create an engaging, tense, at times lightly amusing thriller which blends in subtle action & horror tropes. Here from Arrrow Video is a new Blu Ray release of the film- taking a commentary track, and a good selection of other extras.

Loop Track was written, directed, and started in by Matamata, Auckland-born Thomas Sainsbury.  He’s both a prolific writer, director & actor- from the early 2010’s he has fifty-five writing credits,  eighteen director credits, and fifty-six acting credits. Loop Track is his first feature- with his other director credits being shorts and TV episodes- and I must say he has done a most impressive job with this first film, coming up with something rather original & distinctive in the thriller genre, with creative use of action and horror elements.

The film kicks off with Ian (Sainsbury) driving into the car park of Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, Auckland, New Zealand. From the off it’s clear he’s a very nervy/ jumpy fellow as he peers around the car park in a fearful manner from his car. His eyes settle down on a dark figure in one of the cars- giving a nervous gulp- then a bang comes on his car window, finding a woman chatting about traps near the path…she walks away, and he glances back to the car- now finding the dark figure has disappeared.

Ian- with his short lank hair, twitchy demeanour, and awkwardly sitting rackshack heads off into the bush following the marked-out trail. From the off he keeps checking behind himself- staring back down the shadowy daytime path he’s walked. He stops for a break- noticing in front of him are a couple- he panics, making a detour through the lower woods beneath the pair.  A little while on he stops again- wiping his sweaty face, and starting to eat a sandwich hurriedly - when he hears a voice say hello.

Stood in front of him is Nicky(Hayden J Weal) a breaded,  highly chatty, and rather pushy hiker. He insists on walking with Ian- though clearly, he is non too keen on his company. As the just over one-and-a-half-hour film unfolds Ian & Nicky meet a handful of other hikers- like bubble, blond and flower-picking Monica( Kate Simmonds)  and her short dreadlocked Australian boyfriend Austin(Tawanda Manyimo).

The deeper into the bush they get, the seemingly paranoid Ian becomes more and more on edge- this is impacted by his lack of sleep. His nervous glancing back increases, he starts accusing people of things, and on a few occasions he tries to runway- due to both shame and fear.

The small cast is all good- though Sainsbury is the highlight/ centre of the film with his on-edge, sweaty, and nervous-wreak performance. The resolve of what really is going on is well done, and rather unexpected- and I guess with a certain reading of the film, it could be taken as all going on in his head.

The one thing that may put some people off is the subtly awkward humour to some of the characters/ encounters- but stay with it, and you do get a well-made & original film with Loop Track.

Extra wise on the disc we get a good/ worthy selection of things. First off we have a commentary with director, writer and lead actor Tom Sainsbury alongside producer and editor Gabriel Lunte. This is a most informative/interesting track. They begin by talking about the opening car shots that were captured in forest land to the east of Auckland. We find out the film was originally going to be called The Quite, but got changed due to The Quite Place films. They discuss the double meaning behind the film's title- looping thoughts of panic in the lead's mind, and walking tracks. They discuss how they both first met, and how the film came about. We find out the film was partly funded by money they won for two short film competitions.  They talk about how the small cast got picked/ got in place.  Sainsbury says the film came out a lot more comic than he expected. And we find out that around forty-five minutes were cut from the film before it was released. Later on, they chat about the shifting locations & how they were cleverly cut together. We find out many of the paths /trails used were on private land, and it was filmed during a drought. So a worthwhile track.

Otherwise, we get a selection of short featurettes: The Story Of Looptrack(1.13) director and writer Tom Sainsbury introduces the story behind Loop Track. Tom’s Vision ( 1.57) Sainsbury discusses where the idea behind the film came from. Origins of Looptrack (1.33) the producers of the film discuss the origins of the film following their short film (Time) Travel Centre. Characters and the Cast( 1.57) Sainsbury introduces the cast. The Creature( 5.01). Cinematography( 2.01) producer and director of photography Milon Tesiram discusses the look of the film. Original Score(4.50) composer Mike Newport discusses the score. The Hut (2.06) on the construction and design of the film's cabin.

And Eyers Forest Park Promo(1.52) promotional video for the Eyers Forest Park trails. (Time) Travel Centre (5.01) Tom Sainsbury’s 2016 short film, winner of the 48 Hours Film Festival, and Image gallery.

The finished release comes with a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Dare Creative. A double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Dare Creative, and an Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by film critic and author Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, director’s notes and project background.

Loop Track is both an excellent debut feature & an original blend of thriller and comedy- I very much look forward to seeing what Mr Sainsbury does next. Another excellent Arrow release of a great modern genre film