Razorback Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A giant pig eats a baby, then a journalist, and her incredibly bland husband teams up with a crazy old man to exact revenge on the hogzilla, but the real villains are two kangaroo-killing rednecks.

🍿 Razorback: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Grandson Lost, a Hunter Created

The film opens with Jake Cullen, an outback local, babysitting his grandson. Their quiet evening is shattered when a colossal razorback boar tears through the house, dragging the boy away. Suspicion immediately falls on Jake, and although acquitted due to lack of evidence, he’s ostracized and consumed by a thirst for revenge against the beast.

An Activist’s Disappearance

Two years later, Beth Winters, an American animal rights activist, arrives in the Australian outback to investigate kangaroo poaching for pet food. Her presence stirs resentment among the locals. After a run-in with the Baker brothers, notorious kangaroo hunters, Beth disappears, presumed to have fallen down a mine shaft.

A Husband’s Search for the Truth

Carl Winters, Beth’s husband, arrives in Australia determined to uncover the truth behind her disappearance. He encounters Jake Cullen, who believes the razorback is responsible. Carl also meets Sarah Cameron, a wildlife biologist studying the local boar population. The trio find themselves caught between the monstrous razorback and the menacing Baker brothers, as they search for clues to Beth’s fate.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Carl Winters (Gregory Harrison): A determined husband who travels to the Australian Outback to investigate the mysterious disappearance of his wife.
• Jake Cullen (Bill Kerr): An outcast grandfather obsessed with hunting the giant razorback that he believes killed his grandson.
• Sarah Cameron (Arkie Whiteley): A dedicated ecologist studying wild boar populations who assists Carl in his search and becomes a romantic interest.
• Benny Baker (Chris Haywood): One of the depraved Baker brothers who works at a kangaroo meat-packing plant and embodies the violent underbelly of the outback.
• Dicko Baker (David Argue): The younger, more unstable of the Baker brothers, known for his maniacal behavior and cruelty.
• Razorback (N/A): The monstrous wild boar terrorizing the outback, serving as a symbol of the untamed and deadly Australian wilderness.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jake Cullen: “There’s something about blasting the shit out of a razorback that brightens up my whole day.” – Jake expresses his vengeful obsession with hunting the razorback to Beth, showcasing his hardened persona.
• Dicko Baker: “*maniacal laughter*” – The insane laughter of the younger brother Dicko is a disturbing sign of the malevolence and derangement.

💰Box Office

• Budget: A$5,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $150,140
• Worldwide Gross: $150,463

💥 Razorback Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so a giant killer pig sounds totally absurd, right? But honestly, Razorback is a blast. The Australian outback is like another planet in this movie. I jumped out of my seat a couple of times, especially during the windmill scene. I love all killer animal flicks, so this one is pretty good. Overall, a weird and wild ride that I’ll definitely watch again!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Australian horror films”
  • “Viewers who enjoy creature features”
  • “Those interested in visually striking cinematography”
  • “People looking for a unique take on the ‘nature strikes back’ genre”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Animal cruelty”
  • “Mild gore”
  • “Threat of sexual assault”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “A masterclass in suspenseful atmosphere. Mulcahy’s direction is dazzling, and Semler’s cinematography captures the outback’s beauty. The story of a giant boar terrorizing the Australian outback might sound ridiculous, but the filmmaking elevates it into something special. Highly recommended for those who appreciate well-crafted horror.
• Love Horror: “Razorback is one of the best Australian horror/action movies ever made. The direction is dazzling, the cinematography is truly remarkable and the cast is brimming with quality actors. The effects hold up reasonalby well too
• Reviewer3: “Mulcahy’s dizzying direction combines brilliantly with Dean Semler’s superb cinematography. Semler seems to thrive on barren landscapes and he captures the harsh beauty of the Australian outback magnificently.

Audience Reactions

The cinematography is hauntingly beautiful, turning the outback into a character itself.: Viewers praise the stunning visuals and atmospheric tension.

The redneck kangaroo poachers steal the show with their over-the-top villainy.: Fans appreciated the crazy villains and tension in this movie.

Overall Consensus: Razorback is a divisive but ultimately entertaining creature feature known for its striking visuals and suspenseful atmosphere, though some find the premise silly. Viewers generally enjoy this movie, and it is pretty well-known to fans of Ozploitation

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Russell Mulcahy was primarily known for directing music videos before Razorback, including iconic videos for Duran Duran, Culture Club, and Elton John.”
• “The film’s surreal visuals and atmospheric cinematography, particularly the use of mist and vivid colors, were heavily influenced by Mulcahy’s background in music videos.”
• “The mechanical razorback boar was created by special effects artist Bob McCarron, who later worked on films like ‘Braindead’ and ‘The Matrix’.”
• “Filming took place in the harsh Australian outback around Broken Hill, New South Wales, adding to the film’s sense of isolation and desolation.”
• “Steven Spielberg called Russell Mulcahy after seeing the film to ask about how he achieved some of the visual effects in the dream sequence, particularly the two moons shot. Mulcahy initially hung up, thinking it was a prank.”

🖥️ How to Watch Razorback?

As of today, there is no information on where Razorback is available to stream. Check services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Tubi and Shudder for rental or purchase options. Physical media, such as Blu-ray and DVD, can also be purchased online.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Razorback, you might like these similar films:

• Jaws (1975): A classic creature feature where a menacing animal terrorizes a community, inspiring a hunt for the beast.
• Long Weekend (1978): Australian horror where nature turns hostile against humans, creating a similar sense of isolation and dread.
• Rogue (2007): A more recent Australian creature feature about a giant crocodile terrorizing a group of tourists.
• Black Sheep (2006): A New Zealand horror-comedy where genetically engineered sheep become bloodthirsty killers, offering a similar blend of horror and dark humor.

🛒 Razorback Related Products

• Razorback [Blu-ray]: Umbrella Entertainment Blu-ray release features bonus content: deleted scenes and interviews.
• Outback Survival Kit: Comprehensive survival kit for navigating the Australian outback, with essential supplies for dealing with wildlife encounters and harsh conditions.
• Wild Boar Hunting Knife: A high-quality hunting knife designed for confronting wild boars and other dangerous game.
• Australian Outback Map: Broken Hill and Environs: Detailed map of Broken Hill and surrounding areas featured in the film, perfect for exploration.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Blue Eyes” – performed by Elton John
• “New Moon on Monday” – performed by Duran Duran

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Exploring Razorback – The Best Looking Movie About a Killer Pig

Ever wondered why ‘Razorback’ looks so darn good? This video breaks down the film’s visuals and explores what makes it stand out as a truly unique, albeit terrifying, pig movie. Seriously, you won’t believe how much thought went into this one!

Top 20 Terrifying Horror Movie Animals

Think you’ve seen all the scariest movie animals? ‘Razorback’ makes the list in this countdown of terrifying creatures! It’s a great watch if you’re looking for some intense animal-based horror flicks… and to see where Razorback ranks!

✨ Rate