A bare-boned tween nightmare, director Julian Richards’ (The Last Horror Movie) rough-hewn latest will likely be branded a Stand By Me/Eden Lake mash-up. But it’s more of a trim, chavvy Deliverance, if it’s comparisons you’re after.
Kevin Howarth takes the lead as a greasy, potentially disturbed drifter who collars a group of kids in the woods and forces them to participate in a series of mindfuck games.
Despite the snappy running time, Scars is occasionally unfocused – until its fiercely sadistic final 20 minutes, which coil the uneasy mood into something unexpectedly distressing.
Prepare to squirm in your seat.
