Carnifex (2022) is an Australian creature-feature that brings primal terror to the ravaged post-bushfire outback. Directed by Sean Lahiff, the film follows aspiring documentary filmmaker Bailey (Alexandra Park) and two conservationists, Grace (Sisi Stringer) and Ben (Harry Greenwood), as they venture deep into the wilderness.

Their mission is to record wildlife displaced by the devastating fires, but they soon find themselves being tracked by something far more dangerous than any known animal.

The movie’s strength lies in its slow, atmospheric buildup. Lahiff, an experienced editor, masterfully uses sound and shadows, keeping the titular monster—a terrifying new species descended from the supposedly extinct Thylacoleo carnifex (the Marsupial Lion)—mostly off-screen.

This “less is more” approach cultivates a sense of growing dread, reminiscent of classic man-vs-beast thrillers. The isolation and the vast, beautiful-yet-menacing Australian bush act as potent antagonists, making you feel the characters’ vulnerability.

Beyond the jump scares and suspense, Carnifex attempts to ground its horror in eco-critical themes. It suggests that the recent environmental upheaval has forced this ancient predator out of hiding, making it a natural consequence of human-caused disruption.

While some critics found the final reveal of the creature a little underwhelming compared to the terrifying build-up, the film successfully delivers a gripping, tension-filled survival horror experience.

Overall, Carnifex (2022) is a solid, serviceable horror entry. It earns points for its use of atmosphere, location, and a patient, suspenseful pace. If you appreciate a film where the environment is as terrifying as the monster and prefer creeping tension over immediate gore, this Aussie thriller is definitely worth a watch. It’s a stark reminder that in the wild, sometimes, the things that were meant to be extinct find a way back.