Under the bridge backwoods is where I drew some blood

"Bridge to Nowhere" is a title of which I didn't knew it existed, but apparently it marks New Zealand's contribution to the hugely popular (during the 70's, 80's and still today!) sub genre of backwoods/survival horror. I can't give a proper reason why this movie ended up in total obscurity whereas other and similar contemporary movies easily obtained a cult following or classic status. It's not better than most backwoods horror movies, but it certainly isn't much worse, so I guess it's just a matter of bad luck, not enough word of mouth and/or saturation of the market. The concept and opening sequences are very formulaic, with five completely obnoxious and stereotypical eighties kids heading off in their ugly Jeep for a camping trip near the legendary "bridge to nowhere"; an actual unfinished building project in the middle of the wilderness. The group of kids is extremely loud and irritating – especially the self-acclaimed leader Leon – and their trip turns sour when they bump into the eerie redneck couple Mac and Lise. Mac doesn't tolerate Leon's lustful staring at Lise, even though she provokes it, and soon the group finds itself relentlessly pursued by a maniac with a shotgun. "Bridge to Nowhere" is somewhat disappointing in the blood & gore department but does feature a handful of suspenseful moments and an efficient use of marvelous filming locations. The three girls in the cast are quite yummy (that is: if you dig typical 80's chicks) and the always reliable Bruno Lawrence is a menacing backwoods-brute. "Bridge to Nowhere" is hardly fundamental viewing, but interesting enough if you're an admirer of the genre and/or Down Under exploitation.

*note: review title refers to Red Hot Chili Peppers song "Under the Bridge".

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

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The horror genre features stories that aim to elicit fear, suspense, and a sense of dread in its audience. Horror stories often explore themes related to the unknown, the supernatural, and the macabre, and they frequently evoke strong emotional reactions such as anxiety, terror, and unease.

The thriller genre features suspense, tension, and excitement. These stories are known for keeping audiences on the edge of their seats and delivering intense emotional experiences by revolving around high-stakes situations, dangerous conflicts, and the constant anticipation of unexpected events.

Kids on an outing in the forest come up against a mysterious hermit who lives on the other side of a bridge, and he is definitely not happy to see them.

Bruno Lawrence in Bridge to Nowhere (1986)

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