Freak Me Out delivers another bold, bruising genre gem.

The Freak Me Out program at Sydney Film Festival 2025 has always been a haven for horror misfits, and Straight On Till Morning is a welcome addition to its blood-splattered roster. Directed by Craig Ouellette, this road trip romance-turned-nightmare pits love against extremism, identity against tradition, and outsiders against a force of cruel conformity.

At its heart are Dani and Kaitlin, two queer lovers caught in the euphoric haze of newfound intimacy. Their chemistry is charming, unforced, and grounded in quiet authenticity—a refreshing portrayal that sidesteps overused tropes and instead paints their connection as real and lived-in. But their dreamy road trip through America’s underbelly soon turns into a brutal descent, as they collide with a seemingly God-fearing family whose values are warped by delusion and control.

The film takes its time to find traction, and its deliberate pacing may test some viewers. The first act drifts on the wind of romantic indie minimalism, until a mid-point collision throws everything off the rails and into pure survival horror. From there, it delivers raw tension, visceral violence, and a grim dissection of how love—queer or otherwise—threatens rigid systems built on fear and false righteousness.

What elevates Straight On Till Morning beyond standard genre fare is its refusal to paint anyone with a single brushstroke. The villains are monstrous, yes, but they are never cartoons. Likewise, our protagonists are flawed, unsure, and deeply human. Ouellette doesn’t go for clean lines—this is a film about grey areas. About how outcasts, be they queer lovers or zealots hiding from the modern world, can collide in catastrophic ways.

The Prognosis:

It’s a challenging, sometimes uneven ride, but when it hits its stride, it’s gripping and unrelenting. In a landscape still learning how to do queer horror without pandering or punishing, Straight On Till Morning is a welcome entry—messy, brave, and full of heart.

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🎟 Screening Times – Freak Me Out @ Sydney Film Festival 2025

• Tuesday 10 June, 8:20pm – Dendy Newtown, Cinema 1
• Friday 13 June, 8:30pm – Event Cinemas George Street, Cinema 9

Dare to fall in love. Stay for the fear.

• Saul Muerte