“Animal Kingdom” is a ferocious Australian crime thriller about a young man who becomes embroiled in his family’s criminal underworld. The tension builds like a slow-burning fuse, leading to explosive violence and betrayal that will leave you breathless. With stunning performances and visceral direction, this film is a raw and unflinching look at the dark side of human nature.
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Review
In the dystopian world of “Animal Kingdom,” power is everything. The film’s central theme revolves around the struggle for dominance and control, where only the strongest survive. Based on real events, it portrays a cold and brutal world where violence is the rule of law, and morality is a forgotten concept.
The story follows Joshua ‘J’ Cody (James Frecheville), a teenage boy who has lost his mother to an overdose. J finds himself alone and vulnerable in Melbourne’s criminal underworld, where he seeks refuge with his estranged grandmother Smurf (Jacki Weaver) and her criminal family.
From the get-go, it’s evident that this family isn’t your typical one. The Cody’s are a tight-knit clan who live by their own rules while operating outside of society’s norms. They’re also violent and ruthless, with Baz (Joel Edgerton), Pope (Ben Mendelsohn), Craig (Sullivan Stapleton) and Darren (Luke Ford) being J’s uncles who are involved in various illegal activities such as armed robbery, drug smuggling, and murder.
As J tries to navigate his newfound family dynamics, he realizes that his innocence won’t protect him for long; if anything, it makes him a target. With no other option left on the table but to join the family business himself, J becomes embroiled in the gangster lifestyle.
Animal Kingdom portrays a realistic portrait of how anger can consume people wholly when they feel like they have nothing left to lose. Director David Michôd expertly paints a bleak picture of human nature at its most primitive level; it’s utterly compelling from start to finish.
The film also benefits from an all-star cast who put in outstanding performances. Jacki Weaver as Smurf is particularly captivating; she oscillates between warm matriarchal love for her grandson at some points but ice-cold ruthlessness when someone threatens her family at others. Ben Mendelsohn’s Pope stands out with his simmering rage, which threatens to boil over at any moment.
Furthermore, the film also features excellent dialogue that is both straightforward and impactful. One of the standout quotes comes from Jay’s best friend Nicky (Laura Wheelwright), who says, “Maybe in your world, people don’t kill their own family members,” highlighting how absurd and violent their world is.
Animal Kingdom also features an understated yet powerful score composed by Antony Partos, which contributes to the film’s overarching ominous tone.
Additionally, the film’s cinematography creates a claustrophobic atmosphere that only adds to the tension. The close-ups of characters’ faces during intense scenes highlight their emotions and make for some truly devastating moments.
Animal Kingdom has won numerous awards and critical acclaim since its release in 2010. It scooped up ten Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards; including Best Film, Best Direction, Best Screenplay – Original, Best Editing and more. The movie further received nominations for several international awards such as Sundance Grand Jury Prize and the Cannes Film Festival Un Certain Regard category.
In conclusion, Animal Kingdom delivers a raw and honest look into the darker corners of human nature while painting an accurate picture of crime families’ dynamics. David Michôd’s excellent direction coupled with outstanding performances makes it a film to remember. Orwell would have approved of this piece portraying how oppressive power structures can lead us humans down treacherous paths when surrounded by violence dominating our everyday lives. Perhaps we all have our animalistic sides hidden beneath our civilised facades waiting just beneath the surface ready to pounce at any moment?
Technical Data
- Release : 2010-06-03
- Runtime : 113
- Genre : Crime, Drama
- Cast : Ben Mendelsohn as Andrew ‘Pope’ Cody, Joel Edgerton as Barry ‘Baz’ Brown, Guy Pearce as Nathan Leckie, Luke Ford as Darren Cody, Jacki Weaver as Janine ‘Smurf’ Cody
- Crew : Libby Sharpe as Line Producer, Vincent Sheehan as Executive Producer, Liz Watts as Producer, Zev Eleftheriou as Stunt Coordinator, Janie Parker as Art Direction
- Revenue : $1,000,000
- Budget : $5,000,000
- Company : Porchlight Films, Screen Australia, Film Victoria
- Popularity : 16.185
- Summary : Joshua “J” is taken in by his extended family after his mother dies of an overdose. The clan, ruled by J’s scheming grandmother, is heavily involved in criminal activities, and J is soon indoctrinated into their way of life. But J is given a chance to take another path when a cop seeks to help him.
- Tagline : A crime story
