Rust Creek Image

Rust Creek

By Alan Ng | December 9, 2020

NEW ON NETFLIX! 2019 AWARD THIS! BEST DIRECTRESS WINNER! Not only should you see Rust Creek because it’s a decent action thriller that doesn’t rely on any big-name celebrities, but you should also see it because it’s an independent film made on an independent budget. And yet, it still delivers the same thrills as compared to a big studio movie. Your brain may tip-off that certain moments are low budget and that there are a few minor plot holes, but your heart won’t care.

From director Jen McGowan, Rust Creek follows college student Sawyer (Hermione Corfield) driving home to Kentucky from college for Thanksgiving, but makes the detour of a lifetime to apply for a job in Washington D.C. Soon, Sawyer finds herself lost in the middle of the Kentucky forest, and her GPS keeps sending her down roads that don’t exist (never rely on one map app).

“…a game of cat-and-mouse between Sawyer and the boys. The injured Sawyer has to survive in the cold Kentucky forest…”

Out of frustration, Sawyer pulls over to find directions using this ancient piece of parchment known as a road map. With said map spread out on the hood, two cousins, both locals, Hollister (Micah Hauptman) and Buck (Daniel R. Hill), pull up and offer their unsolicited help. Sawyer instantly realizes she’s in danger and attempts to escape. During the scuffle, she is stabbed in the leg but manages to escape none-the-less.

The rest of Rust Creek is a game of cat-and-mouse between Sawyer and the boys. The injured Sawyer has to survive in the cold Kentucky forest on the cusp of winter. Hollister and Buck must find Sawyer before she draws attention to what the boys are really up to.

Survival in the cold overnight is not easy for Sawyer, but she stumbles on a desolate mobile home, where she comes into contact with Lowell (Jay Paulson), the third cousin. But unlike the other two, he is not a killer or a thug, and he is a meth chemist working feverishly to finish an essential batch of Ecstasy. Lowell decides to hide Sawyer from his brothers until it’s safe to get her to town.

Rust Creek (2018)

Directed: Jen McGowan

Written: Julie Lipson

Starring: Hermione Corfield, Jay Paulson, Micah Hauptman, Sean O’Bryan, Jeremy Glazer, etc.

Movie score: 8/10

Rust Creek Image

"…delivers the same thrills as compared to a big studio movie."

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  1. Linda brown says:

    This is one. Of my favorite movies ever I have watched it 9 times already it is brilliant in every way acting movie plot realism I just loved this movie so many things that are just so real not your average girl run down the middle of the road get run down and caught the writer took her time and thought of every detail this movie is a must see

  2. Ash Paladium says:

    Good movie. I especially liked Jay’s performance as Sawyer. As in most good movies, we care about what happens to some of the characters. This was the case when we watch Sawyer’s character. Good screenplay/story.

  3. Mya says:

    Did you actually watch the movie? Lowell and the other two are cousins not brothers. He’s cooking meth not ecstasy. Sawyer didn’t stumble upon the trailer, but she collapses nearby. Lowell stumbles upon her and brings her inside. Sawyer didn’t lose reception while she was talking to her mother. She couldn’t get a signal, so she leaves a voice recording on her phone as a message for her mother. Then her battery dies mid-sentence. The mother hadn’t filed a missing persons report because until the deputy called her (the registered owner of the vehicle), she thought her daughter was staying on campus over the holiday.

  4. Kim MacDonald says:

    I think it was a good thriller. I think Julie Lipsen wrote survival must see for young women.

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