Break A Leg is an Australian independent comedy horror filmed in the Canberra region, starring Brendan Kelly and Kaitlyn Boyé who also co-wrote and co-produced the film. Boyé also directed the film.
The movie follows their two characters, disgraced former child star Molly McGrath and aspiring actor Patrick Flynn, as they both arrive to audition for a play being put on by infamous director Fritzke. The pair soon realise they are trapped in the theatre and Fritzke is nowhere in sight. What follows is 90 minutes of laughs and scares as the pair struggle with personality clashes, mysterious occurrences, and a legend about the haunting of the “woman in the wings”.
Break A Leg masterfully combines comedy and horror, often switching between the two genres multiple times in a scene, that will remind viewers of films such as Ready or Not and The Cabin in the Woods. Being written by actors, about actors, and set in a theatre, there are some moments throughout the film that are quite meta – drawing further linkages to other meta horror comedies such as The Cabin in the Woods and Tucker and Dale Vs Evil. There were many laugh out loud moments, though these became few and far between as the film built towards its shocking ending.
The lead actors had great chemistry and did well with a number of fast-paced dialogue scenes, as well as monologues. The disgraced and self-absorbed former child star and the desperate, homeless aspiring actor were perfectly brought to life on the screen by Kelly and Boyé.
Many parallels can be drawn with Ready or Not, namely the question of whether there are supernatural forces at play. Like Ready or Not, this question is (mostly) answered in a twisty final act that brings all the rising conflict to a head – but you will have to watch the movie to find out for yourself what is really going on here!
The film uses suspense building horror techniques including subliminal cuts (a la The Shining and The Ring) to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. These cuts become more understandable as the movie goes on, which encourages a re-watch to see what the viewer can pick up on.
It wouldn’t be a horror without jump scares, with an atmospheric tone that precedes or deceptively hints at them, and these are certainly found throughout the film. Don’t be complacent though, the biggest jump scare of the movie comes when you are least expecting it!
While the movie follows the two characters, the missing director Fritzke is discussed at length by the characters as an infamous, inimitable film director who is taking his first foray into theatre. Molly (Boyé) has worked with Fritzke before, and describes and mimics some of the intense and unusual practices Fritzke uses to direct his films. It’s easy to draw parallels with real-life directors who were rumoured to behave this way, including horror legends Stanley Kubrick and Alfred Hitchcock.
This was a great independent film, which rises above its station with well-timed comedy, genuine scares, and slick production. It is an exhilarating and fun ride that will have you guessing until the very last frame.
Follow @breakalegfilm on Instagram for updates on screenings across Sydney and Canberra throughout 2026!
