The Cull

An undead bloodied man being dragged across a forest floor, edits to a man, Niall (Craig Russell) discussing with parole officer Hope (Kate Edney) his time in prison, a time he’s convinced he should never have served.

Somewhat fortuitously he has inherited a cabin in a forest from his mother. It appears the ideal place to get his life back together. That isn’t the view of some of the patrons at the local pub who are being thrown off the property that comes with the cabin. Joseph (Richard Hainsworth), and siblings Maia (Sally Geake) and the drug Jim (Rory Wilton) are vociferous in their opposition.

Niall however does home some support from the landlord Doug (Tim Cartwright) and the enigmatic, rifle tooting Donny (Ollie McFarlane). The dispute doesn’t calm with Jim being shot after an altercation and Joseph and Maia claiming squatters’ rights.

For a time Niall remains calm avoiding booze and confrontation. Yet strange signs start to appear on the trees in the forest, he begins to get nightmares and his past begins to catch up with him.

Writer and director JP Davidson packs a lot into The Cull with a criminal looking for redemption, local property rights, family issues, drugs and booze and some folk horror. At times it’s an uncomfortable jumble. The welcome the locals party at the cabin looks clumsy and some of the performances are over torqued. Others are more nuanced as Niall’s past begins to come to light so his demeanour changes (or reverts) with Russell taking these in his stride.

The Cull is a moody film with everything about the locations and people appearing drab, grubby and murky. And for all the allusions to something in the forest, there’s little sense of tension or dread and efforts to build those drag the film, at times.

That said it’s not dull with the various developments maintaining interest. And it pays off with a very effective ending.

The Cull had its world premiere at Tubi Halloween FrighFest 2026.