In the outback of Australia, a family’s world is rocked when their teenage children disappear into the vast, dangerous landscape. As they search for their missing kids, secrets and darkness from the past are unearthed, like a snake slithering out of its den. The harsh desert becomes a metaphor for the family’s internal struggles, with emotions boiling over like water in a scorching pot. Amidst this turmoil, they must ask themselves: how far will they go to uncover the truth and bring their children home?
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Review
Once upon a time in the arid wasteland of the Australian outback, a family disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The story that follows is of “Strangerland” – an enigmatic and haunting portrayal of human tragedy and trauma.
Helmed by director Kim Farrant, this film boasts of a cast that includes Nicole Kidman, Joseph Fiennes, and Hugo Weaving. The story takes place in a small town called Nathgari, where Catherine Parker (Kidman) and her husband Matthew (Fiennes) move with their two teenage children, Lily (Maddison Brown) and Tom (Nicholas Hamilton).
The town is shown to be isolated and seemingly cut off from society, where the residents keep to themselves and the harsh climate can drive people mad. When Lily and Tom go missing one night, Catherine and Matthew delve deep into the secrets of their past while trying to uncover the truth behind their children’s disappearance.
As they question people in the town, including police officer David Rae (Weaving), who has his own demons to battle with, they start to unravel dark secrets that have long been buried. However, as they dig deeper into their pasts, they begin to realize that there may be forces beyond human control at play.
“Strangerland” delves into themes such as sexual repression, patriarchal control over women’s bodies, mental health issues and societal isolation through its exploration of Catherine’s struggle with guilt stemming from her sexual desires, Mary’s obsession with finding love in loveless marriages or Rae’s struggle with mental illness.
The film’s score by Keefus Ciancia is hauntingly beautiful while simultaneously unnerving. It helps establish a sense of dread early on that only intensifies as the plot progresses. The dry landscapes are captured beautifully on camera by cinematographer PJ Dillon who uses unique angles to capture every detail.
The film explores how tragedy can bring out both the best and worst in people, even from those who are supposed to protect them. Kidman delivers one of her best performances in years with an intensely emotional portrayal of a mother struggling to come to terms with her past.
Fiennes is compelling as a father who wants to protect his family but is also grappling with his own demons. Weaving, known for his iconic roles in The Matrix and The Lord of the Rings trilogies, delivers an unforgettable performance as police officer David Rae.
However, the film is not without its flaws. The plot can be convoluted at times and the pacing can feel a bit slow, especially in the middle act. Nevertheless, it is still a gripping and emotionally charged drama that will leave you thinking about it long after the credits have rolled.
“Strangerland” premiered at Sundance Film Festival in 2015, where it garnered mixed reviews from critics. While some praised the film’s exploration of trauma and catharsis, others found it lacking in cohesiveness and depth.
Despite this criticism, “Strangerland” has become a cult favorite among fans of cinema that deals with complex themes and nuanced characters. Its examination of human frailty and vulnerability remains just as relevant today as it was when the film was released.
In conclusion, “Strangerland” is a thought-provoking masterpiece that will stay with you long after you watch it. It explores themes that are often ignored by mainstream cinema and does so with an unflinching honesty that will leave you breathless. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, it’s time to fix that mistake immediately!
Technical Data
- Runtime : 111
- Release : 2015-07-01
- Genre : Drama, Thriller, Mystery
- Cast : Nicole Kidman as Catherine Parker, Joseph Fiennes as Matthew Parker, Hugo Weaving as Detective David Rae, Lisa Flanagan as Coreen, Megan Alston as Sally McPherson
- Crew : Veronika Jenet as Editor, Andrew Mackie as Executive Producer, Richard Payten as Executive Producer, Nikki Barrett as Casting, Melinda Doring as Production Design
- Popularity 8.228
- Budget : $10,000,000
- Revenue : $111,107
- Company : Worldview Entertainment
- Summary : Newly arrived to a remote desert town, Catherine and Matthew are tormented by a suspicion when their two teenage children mysteriously vanish.
- Tagline : To find the truth they must lose themselves.
