KANGAROO ISLAND

Lou Wells (Rebecca Breeds) is a struggling Hollywood actress who’s hit rock bottom. With her life an absolute mess, she reluctantly accepts a plane ticket from her estranged father, Rory (Erik Thomson), to return to Kangaroo Island, a place she hasn’t visited in years. Her arrival dredges up past trauma with her sister Freya (Adelaide Clemens) and forces them to confront their unresolved conflicts. Phenomenal acting from the entire cast and a realistic storyline builds the tension in this family drama. There’s love, loss and a plethora of dynamics to unpack but it never gets bogged down with sentimentality … and right when you think it might, tinges of humour lighten the mood. Filmed against the stunning quintessentially Australian backdrop of Kangaroo Island, its rugged beauty is a powerful element, mirroring the characters’ emotional states and adding to the film’s atmosphere. As someone who has joyfully visited Kangaroo Island many times, I got a kick out of seeing the true-to-life inclusion of beaches, places and local businesses. Compelling, brilliant and home-grown.