The year 2000 was a transitional time for horror—Scream (1996) had revitalised the slasher genre with its meta approach, but by the turn of the millennium, the self-aware horror trend was starting to wear thin. Enter Cut, an Australian entry into the post-Scream wave that embraces the familiar tropes while injecting a uniquely local flavour. With a modest budget, a playful premise, and some surprising casting choices—including pop icon Kylie Minogue and ’80s teen queen Molly Ringwald—Cut is far from a forgotten classic, but it does offer a fun, schlocky ride for slasher fans willing to embrace its rough edges.

At its core, Cut plays with the idea of a cursed film. The story follows a group of eager film students who attempt to complete an abandoned horror movie, Hot Blooded, which was left unfinished after its director was brutally murdered on set. As the students begin filming, they quickly realise that the film itself might be haunted—and that the masked killer from Hot Blooded may be more than just a character. What starts as a low-budget student project soon becomes a real-life bloodbath.

It’s a fun concept, riffing on the idea of cursed productions and the dangers of meddling with unfinished works. However, Cut never quite manages to go beyond the surface of its premise, leaning into standard slasher formula rather than fully exploring the more interesting implications of a film-within-a-film.

One of Cut’s biggest draws is its unexpected cast. Kylie Minogue appears in a brief but memorable role as the original film’s ill-fated director, giving the film a dose of star power in its early moments. However, it’s Molly Ringwald who truly stands out, playing Vanessa Turnbill, an actress from Hot Blooded who reluctantly returns to the set decades later. Ringwald brings some much-needed charisma and experience to the film, leaning into the role of a washed-up star who’s equal parts bitter and self-aware.

While the supporting cast is mostly filled with lesser-known Australian actors, there’s a sense that everyone involved is having a good time, even when the script doesn’t quite rise to the occasion.

Director Kimble Rendall (who would later work on Bait 3D) keeps things moving at a brisk pace, making the most of the limited resources. The film’s kills are gory enough to satisfy slasher fans, and while the special effects sometimes show their budgetary constraints, they add to the film’s scrappy charm.

The masked killer, known as “Scarman,” is a solid if unremarkable addition to the slasher villain roster. His design—a grotesque, stitched-up face—has potential, but the film never quite gives him a distinct enough personality or mythology to elevate him above the typical masked killers of the era.

Looking back, Cut is an interesting relic of its time. It leans heavily on Scream-inspired self-awareness but lacks the sharp writing or wit that made its American counterparts so memorable. Instead, it works best when embraced as a low-budget, locally made slasher that delivers enough fun moments to warrant a late-night viewing.

It may not have the legacy of Wolf Creek or other standout Australian horror films, but for those looking for a lesser-known slasher with an early-2000s vibe, Cut offers a nostalgic, if slightly uneven, experience.

The Prognosis:

Flawed but fun, Cut is a slasher oddity that benefits from its unique Australian setting, some unexpected casting choices, and a decent dose of bloody mayhem. It won’t be remembered as an essential entry in the genre, but it’s an entertaining curiosity for those who enjoy their horror with a bit of low-budget charm.

• Saul Muerte