Sissy ★★★½

OVER the past decade or so the best Australian horror films have tended to feature either thrill-killing or creature attack.

There are exceptions of course, e.g. The Babadook and The Nightingale, but you know what I mean.

New independent effort Sissy is just a fun experience in a vein that I probably haven’t enjoyed as much since 2009’s The Loved Ones.

Sissy shares some of the same story and theme DNA. It’s about Cecilia, a 20-something successful lifestyle vlogger on the internet who bumps into her former best friend at school, Emma.

Despite swearing to be best friends forever back then, the two have obviously not seen or spoken to each other for several years. Why is never really explained and is one of the small failings of the script.

Anyway, that aside, Emma invites Cecilia, who used to be known as Sissy, to her hen’s party and then a hen’s weekend with just a few close friends.

Unfortunately for Cecilia, Emma neglects to inform her (again, a bit of a script failing) that Cecilia’s nemesis from school, Alex, is hosting the weekend at her parents’ house.

Awkwardness eventually turns into verbal jousting and ultimately far worse for all concerned.

Co-directors Hannah Barlow and Kane Senes build the tension very well, throw in some good call-backs and gore and deliver a terrific ending.

Aisha Dee is excellent in the lead role and is ably supported by Barlow as Emma and Emily De Margheriti as Alex.

Watched on Prime