Long Weekend Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bickering couple goes camping, annoys all the wildlife, and then gets nature-d to death in a particularly Australian fashion.

🍿 Long Weekend: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Troubled Couple’s Getaway

Peter and Marcia, a couple on the brink of separation, embark on a camping trip to a secluded beach in Australia. Their relationship is strained, marked by infidelity and a past abortion, leading to constant arguments and resentment. Marcia is reluctant, preferring a hotel to the rugged outdoors, while Peter hopes the trip will rekindle their failing romance. They bring along their dog, Cricket.

Disrespect for Nature

As they settle into their campsite, Peter and Marcia display a blatant disregard for the environment. Peter carelessly litters, shoots at animals, and chops down trees. Marcia sprays insecticide and destroys an eagle’s egg. These acts of disrespect set the stage for the film’s central conflict, with nature seemingly responding to their destructive behavior.

Escalating Strange Occurrences

Strange and unsettling events begin to plague the couple. They hear eerie noises, their equipment malfunctions, and they encounter aggressive wildlife. Peter shoots a dugong in the ocean, believing it to be attacking him, further escalating the tension. The couple’s paranoia grows as they become increasingly isolated and disoriented, seemingly unable to escape the wilderness.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Peter (John Hargreaves): The arrogant and destructive husband who mistreats nature and alienates his wife.
• Marcia (Briony Behets): The selfish and unhappy wife whose past trauma and resentment fuel the couple’s discord.
• Cricket (N/A): The couple’s dog, who is a witness to the unfolding horror and tension.
• Nature (N/A): The vengeful force that punishes Peter and Marcia for their disrespect and abuse of the environment.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Marcia: “Love, I wasn’t kidding. Let’s get out of here.” – Marcia expresses her growing unease and desire to leave the camping trip.
• Peter: “Ah, come on…” – Peter brushes off Marcia’s concerns, wanting to continue the weekend getaway despite her discomfort.
• Marcia: “I don’t like it.” – Marcia repeats her concerns, emphasizing her negative feelings about the situation.
• Peter: “It’s a little bit of mould on the chicken!” – Peter downplays the severity of the situation and nature’s strange attacks.
• Marcia: “I’m not talking about a fucking chook!” – Marcia expresses her frustration, implying that the nature sounds are spooky.

💰Box Office

• Budget: A$270,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $365

💥 Long Weekend Reviews

Personal Review

I first watched ‘Long Weekend’ late at night, and it completely creeped me out. The way the movie slowly builds the tension, with just the sounds of the bush and the couple’s constant arguing, is incredibly effective. The feeling of isolation and the sense that nature itself is turning against them is palpable. I will say that while this movie is rather slow paced, it is a masterpiece and something that fans of atmospheric horror would appreciate. The scene with the eagle egg still gives me chills!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of slow-burn horror and suspense”
  • “Those interested in environmental themes in film”
  • “Viewers who appreciate Australian cinema”
  • “Fans of films like ‘The Blair Witch Project’ and ‘Deliverance'”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Animal harm/death”
  • “Violence”
  • “Mature themes (infidelity, abortion)”
  • “Disturbing imagery”

Professional Reviews

• JoBlo.com: “A disturbing examination of a marriage on the rocks, ‘Long Weekend’ uses the unforgiving Australian wilderness as a backdrop for a slow-burn horror where nature itself becomes the antagonist. The film’s unsettling atmosphere and the couple’s destructive behavior make for a truly memorable cinematic experience.
• Synapse Films Review: “With a striking visual style and disturbing sound design, Colin Eggleston’s ‘Long Weekend’ is a masterclass in building tension. The film explores themes of environmental responsibility and marital discord in a subtle yet terrifying way, creating a truly unique and haunting horror experience. The transfer from Synapse Films is immaculate.
• AllHorror.com: “A slow burn nature-strikes-back masterpiece. Long Weekend (1978) is not a film for those seeking jump scares, but rather a creeping sense of dread as nature turns against a couple. The leads are unsympathetic, which is fine as it makes you want nature to serve them their just desserts. Also, you get a killer bunyip, what more do you want?

Audience Reactions

The eeriness of the natural setting made them feel genuinely uneasy and dread-filled.: Atmospheric tension and slow-burn suspense were praised the most among general viewers.

The ambiguous ending left viewers disturbed and pondering the couple’s fate.: The unsettling climax and ambiguous symbolism resonated deeply with many viewers.

Overall Consensus: A slow-burn, atmospheric horror film that explores the consequences of disrespecting nature, featuring strong performances and a haunting atmosphere.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The rainy weather in the early driving scenes was created to disguise that the interior shots of Peter’s Jeep were filmed inside a darkened garage. Grips ran past with flashlights to simulate passing car lights.”
• “The film is set on mainland Australia, but it depicts a Tasmanian devil, which at the time of filming were only found on the island of Tasmania.”

🖥️ How to Watch Long Weekend?

As a classic Australian film, “Long Weekend” (1978) might be available on various streaming platforms depending on your region. Check services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Shudder, or Tubi. You may find it available for rent or purchase. Keep an eye out for special editions from distributors like Second Sight Films or Synapse Films, which often include bonus content.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Long Weekend, you might like these similar films:

• The Blair Witch Project (1999): Both films feature a sense of mounting dread and unseen forces terrorizing the protagonists in a wilderness setting.
• Deliverance (1972): Explores the dangers of venturing into the wilderness and the conflict between urbanites and nature.
• Frogs (1972): Another eco-horror film from the same era where nature takes revenge on humans.
• Annihilation (2018): Modern movie which shares a theme on nature’s revenge on humans.

🛒 Long Weekend Related Products

• Long Weekend [Blu-ray]: Synapse Films Blu-ray edition featuring a high-definition transfer, original theatrical trailer, interviews, and collector’s booklet with essay by film scholar Lee Gambin. Perfect for collectors and fans of the film.
• The Nature Strikers: Revenge Horror 4-Movie Collection: An exciting collection of Man Vs Nature movies including; Day of the Animals, Frogs, Blood Beach, and Food of the Gods. You also get a cool poster book with over 45 posters from the movies.
• Nature-Themed Camping Gear: Camping equipment with nature-inspired themes, such as animal prints, natural colors, and durable materials for outdoor adventures. Perfect for camping enthusiasts and outdoor lovers.
• Horror Movie Tarot Deck: A unique tarot deck featuring iconic horror movie characters and imagery, designed for fans of horror films and tarot enthusiasts. Perfect for adding a spooky twist to your tarot readings.

🎧 Soundtrack

Long Weekend features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic” – performed by John W. Bratton, Lyrics by Jimmy Kennedy, Performed by John Hargreaves
• “Long Weekend Theme” – performed by Michael Carlos

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Long Weekend (1978) Story Explained + Facts | Hindi | Psychological Thriller !!

Ever wondered what was *really* going on in Long Weekend? This video breaks down the whole story and throws in some cool facts you probably didn’t know. Even if you don’t speak Hindi, the visuals are super helpful!

✨ Rate