The upcoming horror-comedy Rippy (originally titled The Red) is a highly anticipated film that blends the classic creature feature genre with a uniquely Australian twist. Directed by Ryan Coonan and starring the legendary Michael Biehn alongside an ensemble of talented Australian actors, this movie takes the concept of “killer kangaroos” to a whole new level. The first trailer promises audiences a thrilling mix of blood, humor, and outback action.
What Makes the Rippy Trailer Stand Out?
The trailer for Rippy immediately grabs your attention with its mix of absurdity and terror. A zombie kangaroo running rampant through the Australian outback might sound bizarre, but this is what makes the film so compelling. The creators have leaned into the ridiculousness of the concept, combining it with classic horror elements to create something that feels both fresh and familiar.
At the core of Rippy is a small-town sheriff named Maddy, played by Tess Haubrich. She’s determined to live up to her deceased father’s heroic legacy while grappling with the impossible task of hunting down a monstrous kangaroo. The trailer perfectly sets the tone with suspenseful scenes, ominous music, and quick flashes of gore, giving viewers a taste of the chaos that’s about to unfold.
Watch the trailer for Rippy here:
The Cast of Rippy (2024)
One of the film’s strengths is its talented cast, featuring a blend of Hollywood veterans and Australian talent. Here’s a look at some of the standout actors in Rippy:
- Tess Haubrich: Known for her roles in Alien: Covenant and Spiderhead, Haubrich plays the protagonist Maddy. Her character is a young sheriff obsessed with living up to her late father’s legacy and must take down the killer kangaroo before it destroys her town.
- Michael Biehn: A sci-fi icon famous for his roles in The Terminator and Aliens, Biehn plays Maddy’s eccentric Vietnam veteran uncle, Schmitty. His role in Rippy promises to bring both humor and gravitas to the story, as he helps Maddy face her deepest fears.
- Aaron Pedersen: One of Australia’s finest actors, Pedersen is well-known for his roles in Mystery Road and Goldstone. In Rippy, Pedersen adds depth to the supporting cast, contributing to the film’s distinctly Australian atmosphere.
- Angie Milliken: Another prominent Australian actress, Milliken plays Donna, Maddy’s resilient aunt who joins the battle against the undead beast terrorizing the town.
The cast, alongside the outlandish premise, ensures Rippy will deliver more than just cheap thrills. It promises character-driven performances that will keep viewers invested in the story, even as the gore and mayhem unfold.
Critique of the Trailer: Strengths and Weaknesses
The trailer for Rippy is undoubtedly a strong introduction to the film, but like any trailer, it comes with its strengths and areas for improvement.
Strengths:
- Tone and Atmosphere: The trailer captures a perfect blend of horror and comedy, making it clear that Rippy doesn’t take itself too seriously. This balance is crucial for a film that revolves around a zombie kangaroo, and the trailer manages to build tension while still embracing its absurdity.
- Visual Effects: For an independent film, the CGI and practical effects in the trailer are impressive. The quick glimpses of the zombie kangaroo show that the creature design is grotesque and intimidating, which is essential for any successful monster movie.
- Humor: The dark, tongue-in-cheek humor is one of the trailer’s highlights. Lines like “I’m going to blow the F his brains out!” make it clear that this is not your typical horror film. It’s self-aware, playful, and doesn’t shy away from being outlandish.
Weaknesses:
- Limited Plot Details: While the trailer gives a good sense of the movie’s tone and style, it doesn’t provide much insight into the plot. For those unfamiliar with the premise, the trailer might feel a bit too chaotic. More exposition could help viewers understand the stakes of the story and why they should care about the characters.
- Risk of Overshadowing the Horror: While the comedy in the trailer is enjoyable, there’s a risk that the film may lean too heavily into the humor, overshadowing the horror elements. Balancing comedy and horror is a delicate task, and it remains to be seen whether Rippy can maintain that balance throughout its runtime.
Enthusiasm for Rippy‘s Release
There’s a lot to be excited about with Rippy. The film’s premise alone is enough to pique interest, especially for fans of horror-comedies like Shaun of the Dead, Tremors, or Zombeavers. The unique setting in the Australian outback adds an extra layer of intrigue, as the barren landscape lends itself to a heightened sense of isolation and dread.
The trailer leaves plenty of room for anticipation. The filmmakers wisely chose not to reveal too much about the zombie kangaroo itself, keeping audiences curious about what this undead creature is truly capable of. The combination of suspense, gore, and ridiculous humor suggests that Rippy could become a cult favorite.
Moreover, Ryan Coonan’s directorial debut offers promise. Drawing on his success with short films like Waterborne, Coonan is well-versed in creature features, and his ability to craft tension and humor is evident in the trailer.
Hopes for Rippy‘s Success
As with any trailer, the goal is to generate buzz and excitement—and Rippy does just that. Horror-comedy fans are likely to be eager for its release, but the film will need to follow through on its promises to become a standout in the genre.
The biggest hope for Rippy is that it can maintain the balance between comedy and horror throughout the film. If Coonan can pull this off, the movie could be a fresh and unique entry into the creature feature genre. It also has the potential to introduce a new iconic horror figure in Rippy the zombie kangaroo, much like Tremors did with its giant worms or Piranha with its killer fish.
Another hope is that Rippy will fully embrace its Australian roots. The trailer offers glimpses of Aussie slang, and the film would benefit from leaning heavily into this cultural identity to stand out from more generic horror-comedies.
For now, we can only wait and hope that Rippy lives up to the zany, blood-soaked fun the trailer promises.
Conclusion
Rippy (2024) is shaping up to be one of the most original horror-comedies of the year. With a talented cast, an outrageous premise, and a strong directorial vision, this Australian indie film has the potential to make waves in the cult film scene.
For more horror-comedy reviews, check out Best-Rated Horror Movies and explore other Australian films at Australian Movie Section.
