'Donkey Punch' review

Nichola Burley (Credit: Magnet)

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Three British girls on vacation in Spain--spunky Kim (Jaime Winstone), go-with-the-flow Lisa (Sian Breckin) and brokenhearted Tammi (Nichola Burley)—meet four boys from London who are working on a yacht for the summer—slick Marcus (Jay Taylor), rebel Bluey (Tom Burke), shy Josh (Julian Morris) and his responsible brother Sean (Robert Boulter). The boys suggest taking the yacht out for some fun and their wild night of drugs takes a dangerous turn when one of the guys tries out the potentially fatal sexual move of the title. The resulting tragedy turns the party into a dangerous game of survival of the fittest.

The buzz: A tense little thriller reminiscent of early Danny Boyle (especially "Shallow Grave"), can a film with no recognizable actors that’s named after an extreme sex act find the audience it deserves?

The verdict: Not for the prudish or faint of heart. Filled with extremes of both sex and violence, “Donkey Punch” is also clever, well-acted and a good showcase for writer-director Olly Blackburn’s filmmaking skills—which may produce something even more impressive in the future. His young cast throws their inhibitions out the window while delivering solid performances, with Burley a standout as the particularly resourceful Tammi.

Did you know? Winstone is the daughter of British actor Ray Winstone, whose credits include “The Departed,” “Beowulf” and “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.”

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