Toad Road

Worth a watch if you can look past the low production value (it's shot on a nonprofessional camera without lighting; I suspect the director was going for a found footage aesthetic); it has several elements to recommend it: there are some interesting performances given by nonprofessional actors, including by model Sara Anne Jones, who died of a heroin overdose after the film was released (google her name, her story is haunting in its own right). It alternately reminds me in parts of better films, such as Jacob's Ladder (as James processes what might have been his and/or her death), and Romper Stomper or Green Room, which introduce you to kids living in a subculture (this one is centered around drug usage). But I can appreciate films that attempt something different, even if, in the end, it proves just slightly out of reach. Jones is captivating initially and the documentary film shots of the "actors" doing drugs is arresting, while the absent Jones haunts the final scenes of the film.

I'd say it's worth experiencing, but it's not a "horror" movie per se, there's little direct story line ... but it's a fascinating view of characters in drug-fixated limbo. Sadly, the beautiful actress/model Sara Anne Jones in TOAD ROAD died from a heroin overdose just after the film was released ... so how much of the movie is a tragic reflection of the actors' real lives, we're only left to guess.Sara Anne Jones and her tragic death, her future life cut short ... will haunt you about this movie. The movie itself was both less and far more than I expected.

TOAD ROAD is quite a bit more ambitious than one might think. Far removed from your typical horror film, this is a thoughtful, introspective journey into ruined lives, failed ambitions and uncertainty. Think Harmony Korine crossed with Andrei Tarkovsky and you're on the right track. Unexpectedly engrossing.

Simple edition of a greatmovie i watched in the first Nocturna Film Festival of Madrid in 2013. I recomend this movie to everyone, specially genere fans who like experimental indie movies like this one.

First off it's not horror. It's a bunch of kids getting high. The last 30 mins get a creepy and weird. But there is no closure. What ever happened to the girl?

A dark and disturbing look at today's youth culture also in the format of a horror story. The unfortunate death of the young female lead adds validity to the movie's viewpoint. All the young non-professional actors turn in solid performances, but the star, James Davidson shows real talent as he spirals out of control. Not a movie to watch with your kids, unless you are making a statement about the dangers and despair of a drug-fueled life!

I like slow burn horror. For instance, I love the first "Paranormal Activity" movie, and "The House of the Devil." I also liked Willow Creek quite a bit, so let's admit folks, I have patience. But there was a payoff -- all of those have a steadily building sense of dread, and that's really lacking from Toad Road. Toad Road is more Mumblecore about drug-using kids in flyover country, and the whole "gates of hell" thing is just an ill-fitting detour from that aimless and not terribly interesting story. If you want to see it as a straight-up mumblecore with some paranormal elements, be my guest. But if you're looking for the horror experience, and I mean just about any element of it, suggest you look elsewhere.

Outstanding movie. A rare take in a genre full of cutting room switches to tongue in cheek horror comedies in that it stays true to its goal of portraying realistic characters following a realistic trajectory through extreme circumstances.

Loved this unique vision from Jason Banks, a film that is indescribable. It starts off in one place, a verite fly on the wall stare at a group of young nihilist would be artists, and then takes you to another unsuspecting surreal, poetic place. His follow-up Felt is equally haunting, perhaps moreso.

Great movie... loved it