This low-budget thriller has good pacing and a fascinating character dynamic, but it's so riddled with lapses of logic and frustrating behavior that it comes totally undone before it gets going.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | May 18, 2024

A delightfully harrowing thriller from director Jen McGowan.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 25, 2022

Rust Creek is a genre film, aiming just to entertain, and there is no reason women directors can't make those kinds of films too rather than ones with social commentary.

Full Review | Oct 26, 2021

Special praise goes to cinematographer Michelle Lawler, whose stunning camerawork consistently sets us on edge.

Full Review | Oct 26, 2021

Director Jen McGowan has a genuine feel for place and she gives us a heroine who does not have to be a superhero to be fearless, tough, and determined.

Full Review | Oct 26, 2021

McGowan, working from a script by Julie Lipson, elicits a strong performance from Corfield...

Full Review | Oct 26, 2021

Written, directed, and fiercely led by women, [Rust Creek's] an empowering if slight tale of strength, struggle, and human perseverance.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Sep 26, 2019

Has way more story than it needs.

Full Review | Sep 14, 2019

The story only manages to build to an obvious foregone conclusion, making Rust Creek a vapid, well-worn genre exercise that never really manages to get off the ground.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.25/5 | Jul 16, 2019

The narrative is not that bad if it's the usual genre thrills you are after.

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Apr 17, 2019

A thriller that keeps its tension high and sharp for most of the film, while allowing the story and characters some room to breathe and explore various power dynamics.

Full Review | Apr 1, 2019

There's a touch of film noir within the story which lends itself more to the likes of classic Coen Brothers offerings...

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Apr 1, 2019

Rust Creek doesn't redefine outsider thrillers hinged on close-knit - and corrupt - communities, but it does exemplify why gender representation behind camera lenses becomes so essential.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Apr 1, 2019

The workings of small-town sheriff's departments and the potential for mistakes, either through incompetence or malpractice, is shown here terrifyingly.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Apr 1, 2019

Director McGowan has definitely herewith put herself on the map.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 1, 2019

A strong thriller I had a good time with, despite some disorienting twists and turns. Crime thriller fans like yours truly will love the engaging plot twists and the incredibly tense climax.

Full Review | Apr 1, 2019

By taking the time to breath life into these characters, Rust Creek makes a unique and worthwhile entry in the genre that puts a premium on heart and humanity over horror.

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Apr 1, 2019

The movie begins to shape into a nail-biter...

Full Review | Mar 1, 2019

What a great example of the power of independent cinema.

Full Review | Feb 4, 2019

It doesn't generate the energy and originality a survival thriller needs to, well, survive.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/10 | Jan 26, 2019