Based on true events, 16 year-old Jamie falls in with his mother's new boyfriend and his crowd of self-appointed neighborhood watchmen, a relationship that leads to a spree of torture and murder.
This distressing infiltration of a family of young boys by a charismatic psychopath rewards with a stylistic talent that feels entirely new.
– Jeannette Catsoulis,
New York Times,
1 Mar 2012
fresh:
An impressive but exceptionally disturbing feature debut from Australian director Justin Kurzel that pushes the new wave of Aussie crime films up a notch.
– Andrew O'Hehir,
Salon.com,
1 Mar 2012
rotten:
Overlong and grim to the point where some scenes are virtually unwatchable...
– Lou Lumenick,
New York Post,
2 Mar 2012
fresh:
The film is a chilling study of an evil, dominant personality and his victims.
– Roger Ebert,
Chicago Sun-Times,
15 Mar 2012
fresh:
Your appreciation of this Australian horror movie will depend on whether you think its artistry justifies its unrelenting ugliness.