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(Brooklyn Horror Film Fest 2026) THE ONLY ONE Is An Aussie Slasher with A lot of Charm

By. Vanessa Maki

 

 

THE ONLY ONE makes its world premiere at Brooklyn Horror Film Fest on October 18th.

 

 

There’s something special about a slasher that has a memorable protagonist, wicked kills, and a sprinkle of queerness. And the days of a final girl needing to check numerous boxes to be rooted for are mostly over. THE ONLY ONE, directed by Michael Schwarz, is a bloody Australian slasher with humor and a protagonist who isn’t afraid to admit she’s imperfect. It may not seem like a big deal, but it certainly adds to this subgenre in which often follows a formula.

 

THE ONLY ONE follows  Zoe (Mel Jarnson), whose acting career didn’t take off like she had hoped, and her return to hometown in Australia for an old friend’s wedding. When her various exes begin to meet gruesome deaths at the hand of a masked killer, she’s forced to join up with her small town friends to figure out who is causing bloody mayhem and why. The film deliberately maintains the energy of a 2000s slasher in the best of ways, as it taps into the many reasons we revisit those gems. From the nasty kills, the quirky killer costume, and sequences that’ll make you nervous.

The beginning of the film shows Zoe gathered a bunch of people she’d been involved with one way or another, in one of the local bars to address her past behavior. After a violent death takes place outside of the bar, we-fast forward 10 years later to Zoe’s life in LA. Instead of living the Hollywood dream, Zoe’s working as a barista who hopes to finally hit it big in the acting scene.

It’s not an uncommon pursuit for a small town character to try to get famous in a bigger city. But when trouble finds you in your old stopping grounds, it makes it so you’re forced to confront the past. THE ONLY ONE isn’t just a blood-filled slasher with funny beats throughout, it also tackles the concept of addressing your past, as well as the person you may have been.

As soon as Zoe returns to her hometown, she sees friends and exes alike who all have varied memories of her. Including her goth friend Piper (Saphira Moran) and eventually her silly ex, Rufus (Aaron Glenane).  The wedding that both Zoe and Piper attend goes about as well as expected, especially with one of Zoe’s exes unhappily marrying the bride. Before the murders begin to take place, it’s made abundantly  clear that Zoe broke the hearts of many women and men. All of whom seem to hold either a grudge or a torch for her after many years.
 

Hollywood hasn't exactly rolled out the red carpet for Zoe, but at least her failed acting career hasn't left her craving blood. That's a problem Paris is considerably more willing to embrace in I LOVE PARIS, another Brooklyn Horror Film Fest selection. Vanessa Maki had a blast with its aspiring musician turned vampire, whose unconventional route to fame makes Zoe's barista gig look downright ordinary.

THE ONLY ONE will certainly remind audiences of slashers from the aughts, and if you’re an individual who holds a fondness for those, it won’t be disappointing. Especially when it comes to the kills, the suspenseful sequences, or the killer’s persistent pursuit of Zoe and her exes. It’s not entirely obvious who the killer is either because just like Zoe, we’re learning details as we go. And while the obviousness sometimes makes it fun for slasher fans, it’s also refreshing to see a slasher unveil slightly surprise us with the killer and their specific motivation.
 

In terms of the performances throughout, Mel Jarnson gives us a protagonist of color with layers and insecurities that she later stops trying to hide. Jarnson imbues Zoe with charm, wit, and sensitivity because her life didn’t turn out the way she hoped it would. As far as the other main cast members go, they all do exactly what’s required of them with their characters. Saphira Moran is delightfully weird as the goth sidekick, Aaron Glenane brings the casual humorous moments, and Ben O’Toole leans all the way in as an irritatingly bitter ex who is also a cop.

It’s not a hard rule for a slasher to have every character be likeable or interesting. Though, for fans it makes the viewing experience go a lot smoother when you’re not groaning during every character’s screentime. And while some of the characters in THE ONLY ONE will get on your nerves, they’re certainly meant to.
 

Aside from the performances, THE ONLY ONE will certainly impress with its practical effects and gore. In the current state of the film industry, unnecessary or downright atrocious CGI has become more prevalent. Not to mention the horrific rise of generative AI in creative spaces, including horror as a genre. Therefore, it’s a breath of fresh air to know that indie filmmakers are especially trying to keep practical effects alive. The film has scenes with gore and violence that’s realistic looking.

Fans of the subgenre can rejoice that we’re not completely without slashers that have passion behind them in this day and age. While THE ONLY ONE isn’t an entirely perfect film, it gets a lot right at the end of the day. There’s a lot to appreciate visually, the ode to aughts horror is enough to put a smile on fans’ faces, and Mel Jarnson’s performance as the film’s final girl is excellently layered. And this film is another excellent addition to the Australian horror catalogue.

 

Two Australian horror films. Two protagonists named Zoe. Two very different reactions from Vanessa Maki. While THE ONLY ONE makes a bloody good case for revisiting the 2000s slasher, POSTHUMOUS proves that a creepy VHS tape isn't always enough to rescue a supernatural horror film from its own clichés.