Lucky McKee is no stranger to the works of author Jack Ketchum. He directed adaptations of Red (2008) and The Woman (2011). He also served as producer on the lesser-known adaptation of The Lost (2006) from writer/director Chris Sivertson, a long-time friend of McKee.
Ketchum’s work isn’t the easiest to adapt, but both filmmakers were able to capture the essence of the author with their adaptations while still being able to make films that are distinctly theirs. Sivertson’s film tends to get overlooked, and thankfully, Ronin Flix has stepped in to bring the film to Special Edition Blu-ray.
Ray Pye (Marc Senter) is a disturbed young man who decides he’s going to take the lives of two girls out camping. Four years later, his taste for sex, drugs, and violence has grown, but he’s never been caught for the crimes he committed. That doesn’t mean the police don’t suspect him. In fact, they knew it was him but just didn’t have enough evidence to bring him in. His personality doesn’t allow people to tell him no. If they do, he makes sure he gets what he wants.
When a new girl, Katherine (Robin Sydney), comes to town, he has met his match. Her eventual rejection sends him on a downward spiral, and no one is safe from his wrath.
The character of Ray Pye is so despicable you can’t wait to see if he gets what he deserves. What you don’t want to see, or it will at least make you uncomfortable watching, is the fallout of his actions. Marc Senter plays him with a certain amount of charm that you almost like him, even though you know you shouldn’t. The entire cast brings believability to what you’re viewing, and it is very much an ensemble piece as it is a character study.
RELATED: ‘August Underground’s Penance’ (2007) Blu-ray Review: A Mentally Exhausting Ride
I saw it upon its initial release and was worried it would hit too hard, like Gregory Wilson’s 2007 adaptation of Jack Ketchum’s The Girl Next Door. That one may have gone too far and is so emotionally draining I felt sick after it was over. It’s not a bad film; it’s just too powerful if there is such a thing. The Lost never goes too far. It plays with the audience by pushing their limits, reeling it in before going over the edge. The final act builds itself into a frenzy, leaving the audience shocked, breathless, and in a state of confusion (in a good way).
Senter is joined by Shay Astar, Alex Frost, Megan Henning, Robin Sydney, Michael Bowen, and Ed Lauter, all giving strong, layered performances. There are also cameos from B-movie queen Erin Brown and the legendary Dee Wallace.
Sivertson has a style all his own, using music video-like sequences to show different facets of Ray’s personality and how it differs depending on who he’s with. It’s a shame he and even Senter haven’t been given larger projects to work on. They’re very deserving, as are the rest of the team behind The Lost.
The disc is packed with features, many brought over from the original DVD release but features a brand-new commentary track with Sivertson and Lucky McKee, as well as new interviews with Marc Senter, Robin Sydney, and Shay Astar. The disc also sports a brand new 2K re-master produced from a 4K scan of the original camera negative, making this release a must-have.
If you’ve never seen The Lost, then buckle up because it’s one hell of a ride, and a very dark one at that.
We’re hardworking geeks who love to geek out, but we can’t do it without you! If you enjoyed this article and want to see more like it, please consider tipping our writers. Also, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
