Review: Salvage 2006

Okay, here we have a film that has been in my head for over a decade. I’m not gonna gush about how awesome it is but I do think a movie that stuck with me so long is worth exploring. First of all, when I first saw this I was sixteen and it was actually under the title “Gruesome”. This movie actually has 3 names but is most popularly known for its worst title (yes, “Salvage”), in fact I think one reason it stuck with me was that I had the hardest time tracking it down…then again, it must already have been in my head for me to look for it..! But I do vastly prefer the title, “Gruesome”. Anyway, I won’t say this is the best movie ever, far from it, but I also can’t deny I love the premise and, after tracking the film down and buying it I finally got to rewatch it, and I must say, despite not having a great script.. or the best actors, there’s still something to be said for the story, and of course the end reveal. The end is the one thing I never forgot. Is “Salvage” aka “Gruesome” worth watching? I can’t speak for you, all I can say is I have seen nearly a thousand horror movies but I have never seen this idea tackled this way, plus I clearly enjoyed the film regardless of its imperfections.

“Gruesome” is pretty simply, on the surface. The movie follows a young woman who finds herself stuck in a loop, dying the same horrible death over and over.. now, while this concept will, no doubt, sound very familiar to us all, ultimately, the execution and, especially, the ending, make for a surprisingly clever resolution. (..at least, I think so)

So there you have it, a movie that has been in the back of my mind for over a decade. Far from brilliant, okay acting, and a miniscule budget of $200,000…yet there’s undeniably something to be said for the story.. and, most of all, the ending. Why not give it a chance…if you find yourself intrigued?