简介：AserialkillerstalkssexybackpackersinthisOzploitationclassic.'Ifyoubelievethetaglineforthe1976TimBurstallthrillerEndPlay,itappearstoholdallthetrappingsofamostlyforgettable-andprobablyregrettable-B-gradeguiltypleasure.Inactuality,thefilmisawell-scripted,suspense-filledmurdermystery,boastingoutstandingperformancesbyitsco-leads(JohnWatersandlocallyadoptedGeorgeMallaby)andaplotthatthickenswitheachscene,demandingnothinglessthanfullaudienceattention. WatersandMallabyplaydysfunctionalsiblingsMarkandRobbie,whoseshaky-at-bestrelationshipisexacerbatedbyMark'ssecretivebloodlustforpetiteblondhitchhikers.AsparaplegicRobbiebeginstosuspecthisbrother,heistornbetweenbailingouttheonlyfamilyhehasleftandassistingthepoliceforcehedespisessointensely(headedbyKenGoodletastheinquisitiveSupt.Cheadle). EndPlayliberallyincorporatesmanyfacetsoftheconventionalwhodunitintoitsplot,includingasecludedsetting,piercingscoreandrazor-sharpdialogue,butwithanaddedlevelofintriguethatisdifficulttoquantify.Thefilmneverregressesintoaself-designed'comfortzone'wherebytheviewercansafelypredictwhatcomesnext.TherelentlesspsychologicalwarfareemployedbetweenMark,RobbieandCheadlefacilitatesathrillingsecondhalf,punctuatedbyadénouementthatlendsitselffarmoretoclassicHitchcockthanOzploitation.Ifevertherewasafilmtodefine'pleasantsurprise'initspurestform,EndPlaymayjustbeit.…