Four thrill-seeking friends venture deep into the California desert to attend a rave. Things go dangerously awry after the quartet run afoul of a gang of lethal bikers called the Scorpions led by the vicious Dom (a frightening portrayal by Dash Mihok).
Writers/directors Rudi Liden and David Kebo keep the taut and gripping story moving along at a zippy pace, build a considerable amount of nerve-shredding suspense, ably craft and sustain an uncompromisingly harsh'n'gritty tone, make fine use of the isolated desolate landscape, and stage the rousing action with flair and skill. Moreover, the hard-hitting script warrants praise for its startling insights into how people can easily devolve into outright savagery if taken away from civilization and placed in a desperate situation where the only thing that matters is survival at any cost. The excellent acting from the tip-top cast keeps this picture humming: Rider Strong as the brash and carefree Daniel, Bumper Robinson as the tough Anthony, Eric Christian Olsen as the amiable, yet frustrated John, and Wayne Young as the soulful and reflective Brick make for sympathetic protagonists, Genevieve Padalecki impresses as vulnerable teenager Amber, and Vince Vieluf has a lip-smacking nasty field day as the sadistic Reno. The moments of brutal violence pack a ferocious punch. Thomas Harting's glossy cinematography provides lots of snazzy flashy flourishes. Nathan Barr's rattling score hits the stirring spot. A real nail-biter.
Writers/directors Rudi Liden and David Kebo keep the taut and gripping story moving along at a zippy pace, build a considerable amount of nerve-shredding suspense, ably craft and sustain an uncompromisingly harsh'n'gritty tone, make fine use of the isolated desolate landscape, and stage the rousing action with flair and skill. Moreover, the hard-hitting script warrants praise for its startling insights into how people can easily devolve into outright savagery if taken away from civilization and placed in a desperate situation where the only thing that matters is survival at any cost. The excellent acting from the tip-top cast keeps this picture humming: Rider Strong as the brash and carefree Daniel, Bumper Robinson as the tough Anthony, Eric Christian Olsen as the amiable, yet frustrated John, and Wayne Young as the soulful and reflective Brick make for sympathetic protagonists, Genevieve Padalecki impresses as vulnerable teenager Amber, and Vince Vieluf has a lip-smacking nasty field day as the sadistic Reno. The moments of brutal violence pack a ferocious punch. Thomas Harting's glossy cinematography provides lots of snazzy flashy flourishes. Nathan Barr's rattling score hits the stirring spot. A real nail-biter.