Lola Star is a love rat. When she gets those butterflies in her belly there is little she can do to ignore them. She becomes impulsive, almost reckless in her passion. Sadly, by not being what those her age would typically call “pretty” she’s had to make friends with rejection. Thankfully Lola Star has developed a unique coping mechanism.
Little known 2011 Australian horror THE LOVED ONES introduced us to the most terrifying animal to be spat out of the Outback since RAZORBACK. When knocked back by regulation high school hotty Brent (Xavier Samuels) Lola isn’t willing to give up on her dreams of being his prom queen quite so quickly. Having enlisted her doting daddy to kidnap Brent, she embarks on a demonstration of exactly what happens when you turn “Princess” down.
Played by newcomer Robin McLeavy, Lola is one of the most domineering female antagonists in a horror film in a long time. Almost impossible to dislike, Lola revels in inflicting wonderfully intense bubblegum sadism. She gives perhaps the most joyously maniacal laugh ever committed to celluloid, while flinging stones at poor Xavier Samuels as he clings to a tree.
The romantic mechanics of THE LOVED ONES could not be more wonderfully warped…
When we get a chance to look at her pink, sparkly scrapbook, it’s clear Lola hasn’t ever had much luck with boys. As she lovingly turns the pages we’re treated to pictures of her previous failed conquests, tied to chairs in various states of horrendous torture while an eight year old Lola stands beside them grinning. This brief glimpse at her past lends an insight into the nightmarish world that she has clearly lived in her whole life.
The romantic mechanics of THE LOVED ONES could not be more wonderfully warped and they make for superbly dark and funny moments of comedy. Lola has taken on the role of surrogate mother in her household ever since her mum, affectionately named Bright Eyes, became the victim of some nasty DIY brain surgery. With his wife sidelined, John Brumpton’s “Daddy” has developed intense paternal feelings for his daughter. His moment of blushing arousal as Lola changes into a new dress he’s bought her is as strangely touching as it is distressing. His feelings for his daughter could have been portrayed to us in an uncomfortable, leery way but the truth is that Daddy’s love for his daughter transcends a carnal lust, though it doesn’t neglect it. He worries for her, is her slow dance at their impromptu school dance and is annoyed at her when her power drill skills falter at the critical moment.
THE LOVED ONES takes the idea of obsessive teenage love to wonderfully depraved places. The horror of rejection by someone you fancy at high school is one of the scariest things you’re likely to experience at that point in your life, so let’s just be thankful that girl/boy you said no to (if you were lucky enough to be picky) wasn’t as proactive as Lola Star.
httpvh://youtu.be/Cb5BFm4qIow