Arriving at Hampden stadium on the morning of Saturday 9^th January,  later than planned due to hideous road conditions, I joined the back of the (thankfully rather short and indoors) queue.

I’d dragged my dad along for moral support. Well, really he had volunteered because he didn’t trust me to drive in that weather. I don’t blame him.

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At the weekend I had the opportunity to preview what was described to me as “a horror film”. Below is a summarised version of a review which will be published in the next issue of Re:Union magazine.

The Horseman
Written/Directed/Produced by: Steven Kastrissios
Producer: Rebecca Dakin

Firstly, this film is not what I would describe as a horror. No sections have you jumping three feet in the air; the soundtrack gives no clues as to what is coming next and the pretty girl isn’t killed first…at least, not by the serial killer.

The Horseman is best described as a revenge thriller and leaves a lot to the viewer’s imagination by conveniently fading to black and cutting to another scene at just the right moment.

It had me shout at the screen, say a few swear words, cover my eyes, stare in disbelief, squirm in my seat and yet still feel warmth and sympathy for the main character.

The Horseman tells the story of Christian Forteski, a father who has recently lost his daughter in tragic circumstances. These circumstances become clear soon enough but the film is not in chronological order for the majority – reminiscent of the Kill Bill movies.

Whilst grieving over the death of his daughter, Christian anonymously receives a horrifying pornographic video featuring her, by post.

The video sparks rage in Christian when he views the violence his drugged-up daughter was subjected to and makes it his mission to find out what really happened on the night of her death.

Visiting the men involved in the production of the video one by one; he uses his own methods of interrogation to get the information he requires before killing them.

Penis fixation is a theme which runs throughout The Horseman as Christian likely sees it as the best way to torture the men who drugged, sexually violated and, in effect, killed his daughter. This may have men with daughters empathising but will no doubt have most men protectively grabbing their crotch.

Various tools of torture are used in the movie including crowbars, blowtorches, hammers, guns, fishhooks, bicycle pumps and petrol. However – I won’t divulge how these tools were implemented – you can either imagine that for yourself or even better – watch the film!

The Horseman is released in UK cinemas just in time for Halloween on Friday 30th October.

More information can be found at The Horseman website.