Australia has a strong cinematic tradition of very, very good dramas that are very, very hard to watch. Now here comes Birdeater, the latest addition to the Relentlessly Uncomfortable Watch Shelf alongside The Boys (no, not that one) and The Stranger.
How to watch Birdeater in New Zealand
Birdeater is screening in New Zealand cinemas from July 31.
What is Birdeater about?
The buck’s party from hell.
The debut feature film from freshlyminted Australian filmmakers Jim Weir and Jack Clark, Birdeater owes a great debt to the skin-crawling ’70s classic Wake in Fright, which should be a strong indication of whether this one is going to be for you or not. We find ourselves in the remote bush for what should be a blow-out stag night, but the vibes are off, largely due to the presence of Louie’s fiancé Irene and Charlie’s girlfriend Grace, who’s been invited largely to keep Irene company. As the drinks flow and the drugs are imbibed, things take a turn for the sinister…well, more sinister.
The term that’s been thrown around the most in the marketing materials and critical discourse is “feral” – make of that what you will. It’s an examination of toxic masculinity ands the ugly extremes of mateship, so don’t go expecting a cozy night’s viewing.
The cast of Birdeater
Mackenzie Fearnley is Louie, Shabana Azeez is Irene, Ben Hunter is Dylan, Jack Bannister is Charlie, Clementine Anderson is Grace, Alfie Gledhill is Murph, Harley Wilson is Sam.
Birdeater trailer
Why we’re excited about Birdeater
Birdeater earned some knock-out notices on its tour of the festival circuit, along with plenty of caveats about how challenging it is. That’s like catnip to us. It’s shaping up to be one of this year’s “have you seen..?” movies, and arguments are already raging over its gender politics and views on masculinity. So if you want in on that fraught conversation, best book a ticket.
