Director Scott Walker debuts his terrifying creature feature, The Tank, this month. This sophomore effort marks a return to filmmaking after a decade-long absence since his directorial debut, the Nicolas Cage thriller The Frozen Ground, in 2013. The Frozen Ground was picked up by streaming giant Netflix and quickly became a massive success with viewers on the platform. The momentum has led Walker back to the director’s chair for The Tank.
The Tank Was shot in Walker's native New Zealand and made terrific use of the area's natural beauty. Cornerstone Films will be responsible for worldwide sales and distribution of the film, which is a Happy Dog Entertainment and GFC Films production. Walker and the rest of the creative team hope to capitalize on the hot trend of creature features and 'survive the night' horror that has propelled shows and films like A Quiet Place and The Last of Us.
The Tank: The Plot
The Tank tells the story of a family who unexpectedly inherits a gorgeous, albeit neglected, expanse of coastal property in Oregon. The young couple Ben and Jules are shocked to learn of their windfall courtesy of Ben's late mother, as she never once mentioned the property. The house and infrastructure have been neglected for years, but the property is adjacent to the majestic Pacific and comes complete with breathtaking views, gorgeous natural lighting, and of course, an over-eager realtor looking to get the couple to sell. Unfortunately, the property also comes with some very old and dark secrets.
Before Ben and Jules can catch their breath from the trek out to the expansive but run-down vista, they are greeted by a real estate agent with a huge offer on the property. While trying to gather his thoughts while walking the grounds, Ben discovers a hidden hatch on the property that opens The Tank. Inside is a labyrinthian collection of underground tunnels, valves, and aqueducts. Ben is a curious sort and notices the tank has malfunctioned. Being good with his hands, he decides to try and repair and restart the malfunctioning apparatus. In doing so, he awakens a malevolent force long dormant inside The Tank.
The Tank: Cast & Crew
Scott Walker assumes directing duties in his native New Zealand and has the privilege of working with a fantastic crew. The cast comprises fellow New Zealanders Matt Whelan (Narocs, The Luminaries) as Ben and relative newcomer Luciane Buchanan (The Night Agent, Sweet Tooth) as Jules. New Zealand’s most famous Hollywood alumni Peter Jackson and his WETA studios play a significant role in creating the creatures released from The Tank. Five-time Oscar-winning special effects supervisor and creative director Richard Taylor (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Blade Runner 2049) is charged with the innovative creature designs and will work closely with director Scott Walker and a group of acrobat performers to create the creature movements. It seems as if many fans have been granted their wish of Peter Jackson once again dipping his toe in the pool of the horror genre.
Release Date
The Tank opens, literally and figuratively, in theaters on Apr. 25.
Everything Else We Know
A lot is riding on this project for sophomore director Walker. He has the backing of fellow New Zealander and epic filmmaker Peter Jackson. The success of The Last Of Us shows fans have a huge appetite for this kind of storyline. 2023 has much to offer in terms of horror, and The Tank is looking to be another excellent installment in the genre this year. Other films releasing in 2023 include Evil Dead Rise, The Exorcist reboot, and The Pope's Exorcist. In addition, we've already seen horror films such as Scream VI, Infinity Pool, M3GAN, and Knock at the Cabin released earlier this year, getting 2023 off to a strong start. Hopefully, The Tank can follow in the footsteps of some great horror releases we've seen so far.
The focus here is on Scott Walker’s ability to deliver a well-paced film that provides as much spine-tingling tension when the monsters are off-camera as it does when they are shown. The groundwork is already being laid for a potential sequel, with sights set on a 'cinematic universe' based on the mythology of The Tank.
Horror fans are in for a real treat with The Tank, as the shooting locations will offer a huge tapestry for the monsters to hide and tensions to mount. On top of it all, the time, care, and attention to detail in the design of the film's creatures will be a showstopper. A shrewd combination of practical and digital effects, along with the skill of the stunt players and acrobats, will allow for a terrifying onslaught of evil no longer confined to The Tank.