Scratch 2002

A trio of masked filmmakers, Jay (Jed Kurzel), Mick (Victoria Dixon-Whittle), and Tommy (Aaron March), find themselves entrenched in a twisted reality on their horror TV show titled Shocko. Their aim? To terrify the less fortunate members of society for cheap thrills. The latest episode kicks off with a sinister assault on a hospital matron, complete with Japanese subtitles that imply a transaction of the shocking footage to the Asian market.

Their upcoming guest is Colin (Bernie Ledger), a socially awkward and overweight security guard working at a forsaken TV studio, perfectly fitting the bill for a lowbrow spectacle. Everything seems to unfold as planned as they sneak into the decrepit studio, wreaking havoc as they typically do. However, as Colin spirals deeper into his predicament, an unexpected transformation occurs; the predator swiftly shifts to prey. Colin, previously the vulnerable guest, seizes control of the situation and ensnares the trio, turning the tables by launching his own grotesque TV show aimed at their humiliation.

Colin, it turns out, has a shady history as a game show host for a short-lived series known as Scratch, which only aired for a handful of episodes before it was canceled. Yet, he has been reliving that experience day in and day out. Colin’s game is a twisted combination of humiliation and psychological torment, which sees Jay and Mick restrained to chairs, faced with a gruesome ultimatum: answer his humiliating questions or endure painful piercings, all while worrying about Tommy, whose fate is less than secure, trapped with his head inside a microwave.

Meanwhile, two slouching bystanders, Bill (Michael Habib) and Daisy (Andy McPhee), are the unbothered audience to this melodrama, preferring to engage with a stolen satellite dish to catch a football game instead of witnessing the horror unfolding at the studio. As the twisted game goes on, viewers are treated to bizarre antics, including Colin donning a dress and giving Jay an unorthodox licking.

As Bill munches away on snacks and Daisy fiddles with the satellite dish to monitor the match, they soon discover their caravan’s image broadcasted on live television, prompting an impulsive investigation into the studio. This diversion alerts Colin, creating a frantic situation for the beleaguered trio, who scramble for a means of escape. Tragically, in the midst of their chaos, Tommy meets his end inside the microwave, leaving Jay and Mick to formulate an escape plan.

In a moment of desperation, Jay manages to free himself from confinement, abandoning Mick but soon realizing that she too has a chance to escape. However, Colin is relentless and scheming, determined to recapture the fleeing duo as they contemplate snatching the studio’s incriminating tapes to keep as mementos of their hellish ordeal. As the tension escalates, the line between hunter and hunted continues to blur, reflecting the absurdity and horror of their grotesque situation.