STRANGERLAND (2015)

A family finds their dull life in a rural outback town rocked after their two teenage children disappear into the desert, sparking disturbing rumors of their past. — IMDB

Absolutely brilliant! One of the best Australian movies I’ve seen. Let’s start with the acting. Nicole Kidman, the mother of the family whose children goes missing, is outstanding. Her acting is nuanced, emotional, and courageous. One of the best performances I think she has done. Hugo Weaving, the police officer investigating the disappearance, puts in a strong performance. The characters develop beautifully across the course of the narrative. The small isolated rural community, described by one of the children as a “shit hole”, is atmospheric and is almost its own character in the story. The cinematography is stunning with an oppressiveness that supports and strengthens the mood of the story. The soundtrack supports the narrative with everything working together to perfectly engage the audience and draw us into the depressive, tense, intriguing plot. STRANGERLAND is, in my opinion, an almost perfect movie. It’s intriguing, thought-provoking, haunting, and superbly nuanced. I can’t believe this one is not being promoted in mainstream cinema. And I can’t believe so many critics are rating it so low. Gripping stuff. Don’t miss it!