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.

Director:

Kim Farrant

Writers:

Michael Kinirons, Fiona Seres (story)

Stars:

Nicole Kidman, Joseph Fiennes, Hugo Weaving

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nicole Kidman	...	Catherine
Joseph Fiennes	...	Matthew
Hugo Weaving	...	Rae
Lisa Flanagan	...	Coreen
Meyne Wyatt	...	Burtie
Maddison Brown	...	Lily
Nicholas Hamilton	...	Tom
Jim Russell	...	Alan Robertson
Sean Keenan	...	Steve Robertson
Bronwyn Penrith	...	Rose
Trangi J. Speedy-Coe	...	Jarrah
Morgan Junor-Larwood	...	Slug (as Morgan Junor Larwood)
Chris Pattinson	...	Deputy Pete
Reef Ireland	...	Guy in State Park
Martin Dingle Wall	...	Neil McPherson

Storyline

Newcomers to the remote Australian desert town of Nathgari, Catherine and Matthew Parker's lives are flung into crisis when they discover their two teenage kids, Tommy and Lily, have mysteriously disappeared just before a massive dust storm hits. With Nathgari eerily smothered in red dust and darkness, the townsfolk join the search led by local cop, David Rae. It soon becomes apparent that something terrible may have happened to Tommy and Lily. Suspicions run riot, rumours spread and public opinion turns savagely against the Parkers. With temperatures rising and the chances of survival plummeting with each passing day, Catherine and Matthew find themselves pushed to the brink as they struggle to survive the mystery of their children's fate.

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Plot Keywords:

australia | calling someone a pain in the ass | pharmacist | drugstore | tattoo | 

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Taglines:

To find the truth they must lose themselves

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some sexuality and brief graphic nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

Toni Collette was initially attached to the film alongside Hugo Weaving and Joseph Fiennes, but the project didn't receive funding until Nicole Kidman got attached.

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Quotes

Lily Parker: Touch in the dark. No one can see. Touch in the dark. You... touch me.

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Soundtracks

Kamikaze Origami
Written and performed by Jen Cloher

User Reviews

Kidman shines in an unfulfilling mystery

A film that for its entirety is crying out for a satisfying ending to make all that has come to pass worthwhile, Strangerland fails at its final hurdle and becomes a tale with huge potential that remains left in the dusty plains of the outback wherein the stories mysteries lie.

Strangerland is most certainly a unique disappearance mystery, a strange hybrid of domestic drama moulded into the intrigue of just what happened to the two Parker children, last seen wandering off into the great unknowns of outback Australia, but despite consistently threatening to become a great addition to the recently mostly barren Australian cinema classic handbook, Kim Farrant's film just can't gel into something totally recommendable or overly memorable.

First time director Farrant does show glimpses of a filmmaking talent, her images of the land and direction of some of her actors is of a high order and Strangerland's tone is often nerve rackingly eerie and there's an air of dread that permeates through most of film. From Maddison Brown's performance as promiscuous teen Lili, the town of Nathgari itself and the looming shadow of the barren landscape that surrounds our characters mixed with Keefus Ciancia's atmospheric score, all combine to give Strangerland a unique identity worthy of lead Nicole Kidman's committed turn.

In the doldrums for some time now it's great to see Kidman showcase her considerable talents once more with a layered turn as the conflicted mother of the lost children Catherine Parker. Kidman's performance is both brave and unflattering and she's a highlight of Strangerland's ensemble. Ably supported by the evergreen Hugo Weaving as the local detective, Kidman elevates the film despite the overplayed presence of a distracting Joseph Fiennes who once again reminds us as to why his been largely forgotten about since his appearance in Shakespeare in Love. Young Australian performer Meyne Wyatt is also worthy of a mention in his role as young Aboriginal local Burtie.

Strangerland has moments; it also sucks you into its mysterious centre only to drop the bundle in the films last act. If Strangerland had in fact had a better catch on its hook it could've quite easily become one of, if not the Australian film of the year but as it stands it's going to be remembered only for a timely reminder that Nicole Kidman can in fact act and lead a film. A disappointing result for a film that just might have been.

2 ½ high quality skate parks out of 5

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

Ireland Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 July 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Strangerland

Filming Locations:

Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,472, 12 July 2015

Gross USA:

$17,472

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$111,107

Company Credits

Production Co:

Worldview Entertainment, Fastnet Films, Dragonfly Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1