THE SURVIVORS

When the body of Bronte (Shannon Berry) washes up on a beach in the fictional town of Evelyn Bay (population 1,200), her death is deemed suspicious. Her possible m*rder reopens old wounds for the residents, who were deeply affected fifteen years earlier when two young men (Finn Elliot played by Remy Kidd and Toby Gilroy played by Talon Hopper) and a teenage girl (Gabby Birch played by Eloise Rothfield) died in a lethal storm. Finn’s brother Kieran (Charlie Vickers) and their mother Verity (Robyn Malcolm) now have a fractured relationship and their estrangement widens as suspicion falls on everyone around them. Adding to the Elliott family’s mounting stress, Verity’s husband Brian (Damien Garvey) is rapidly losing his mind to Alzheimer’s. Meanwhile Gabby’s mother Trish (Catherine McClements) hasn’t had closure, as Gabby’s body has never been found. In a town where everyone’s business is known, it holds its secrets tight. With detectives working around the clock, several townsfolk are questioned over their possible motives and loose alibis. When the truth finally surfaces, in a confronting fashion, Kieran, Verity, and Trish get more answers than they anticipate. This is a quality Australian drama, beautifully filmed against Tasmania’s stunning and rugged coastline. The cinematography creates a vivid sense of place and the unpredictable weather serves as a powerful metaphor for the emotional turmoil experienced by the residents of Evelyn Bay. Each cast member brings authenticity and intensity to their assigned characters and Robyn Malcolm (one of my fave Aussie actresses) is a stand out in her role as a grieving mother barely holding her life together since losing her son. Her moments of cheerfulness amid adversity, contrasted with hair-trigger outbursts, reveal how close she always is to the edge. An engaging and intense whodunnit, with a compelling story and strong performances.