Wolf Creek is a horror that follows three young backpackers who set off on an adventure across the Australian Outback, but things turn very bad when they meet a serial killer who dislikes tourists.

Wolf Creek is a 2005 Australian horror film directed by Greg McLean and stars John Jarratt, Nathan Phillips, Cassandra Magrath and Kestie Morassi.

While the film was marketed as being “based on true events”, McLean simply used two different incidents from the 1990s and 2001 as inspiration.

True or not, Wolf Creek is a horror that was huge at the box office and has since gained cult status with plenty of fans around the world.

But what is it all about, and is it worth watching?

What Is Wolf Creek About?

The movie tells the story of three young tourists, Ben (Phillips), Liz (Magrath), and Kristy (Morassi), who set out on a road trip through the Australian Outback.

They plan to visit the Wolf Creek crater, a popular tourist attraction, but things take a sinister turn when they find their car won't start after arriving at the site.

As night falls, a seemingly friendly local named Mick Taylor (John Jarratt) arrives and offers to tow their car to his campsite, where he promises to fix it the next day.

The trio reluctantly agrees and follows Mick into the wilderness. However, they soon realize that Mick is not who he appears to be when he attacks and incapacitates them.

Ben wakes up to find himself tied up in a shed, with Liz and Kristy nowhere to be found. After a failed attempt to escape, Ben is brutally tortured by Mick, who reveals that he is a sadistic killer who preys on unsuspecting tourists.

Meanwhile, Liz and Kristy are being held captive by Mick in a separate location, where they also endure horrific torture and abuse.

So can Ben, Liz and Kristy escape the hellish nightmare and free themselves from the notorious serial killer? Watch Wolf Creek to find out!

Wolf Creek Official Trailer

Is Wolf Creek Worth Watching?

The movie is a terrifying portrayal of the dangers of the Australian Outback and the evil that can lurk in the most unexpected places.

The characters are well-developed, and the tension builds steadily throughout the film, culminating in a shocking and memorable conclusion.

Wolf Creek is not for the faint of heart, but for fans of horror movies, it's a must-watch.

John Jarratt's portrayal of Mick Taylor is nothing short of chilling, and he brings a sense of palpable danger to every scene he appears in.

The movie's cinematography is also worth noting, as it captures the vast, desolate beauty of the Australian Outback while also conveying a sense of isolation and foreboding.

As the story unfolds, you are drawn deeper into the character's horrifying situation, but be warned, the violence and gore are extreme and may be too much for some viewers.

For those who can stomach it, Wolf Creek delivers a visceral and unforgettable horror experience.

Is Wolf Creek A True Story?

The movie was promoted with the claim that it was “based on true events,” but Greg McLean later clarified that real-life murder committed by Ivan Milat in the 1990s and Bradley Murdoch in 2001, only inspired Wolf Creek.

So while the plot is both terrifying and disturbingly plausible, the events depicted did not actually happen, as is generally the case with horror films.