{{Short description|2015 film directed by Kim Farrant}} {{EngvarB|date=July 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox film | name = Strangerland | image = Strangerland_2015_Poster.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | alt = | director = Kim Farrant | producer = Naomi Wenck <br />Macdara Kelleher | writer = Fiona Seres <br />Michael Kinirons | starring = {{Plainlist| * Nicole Kidman * Joseph Fiennes * Hugo Weaving * Lisa Flanagan * Meyne Wyatt * Maddison Brown * Nicholas Hamilton }} | music = Keefus Ciancia | cinematography = P.J. Dillon | editing = Veronika Jenet | studio = Worldview Entertainment <br />Dragonfly Pictures <br />Fastnet Films | distributor = {{Plainlist| * Transmission Films (Australia and New Zealand) * Wildcard Distribution<ref>{{cite web|title=Strangerland (2016)|website=Irish Film Classification Office|access-date=28 January 2024|url=https://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/9B2D8414004A490A|archive-date=28 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128085904/https://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/9B2D8414004A490A|url-status=live}}</ref> (Ireland) * Alchemy<ref name="BOM">{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=strangerland.htm |title=''Strangerland'' (domestic + foreign grosses) |work=Box Office Mojo |publisher=IMDb |access-date=29 June 2021 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924202913/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/releasegroup/gr2551599621/ |url-status=live }}</ref> (United States) }} | released = {{Film date|2015|1|23|Sundance Film Festival|2015|7|10|United States|df=yes}} | runtime = 111 minutes | country = {{ubl|Australia|France|Ireland|United States}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/569f7b8ee7259|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930041229/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/569f7b8ee7259|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 September 2017|title=Strangerland|website=bfi|access-date=10 October 2022}}</ref> | language = English | budget = $10 million<ref name="numbers">{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Strangerland#tab=summary|title=''Strangerland'' (2015)|website=The Numbers|publisher=Nash Information Services, LLC.|access-date=29 June 2021|archive-date=24 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924202454/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Strangerland#tab=summary|url-status=live}}</ref> | gross = $1 million }}
'''''Strangerland''''' is a 2015 drama suspense film directed by Kim Farrant in her directorial debut, and written by Michael Kinirons and Fiona Seres.<ref name="THR-Strangerland"/> The film stars Nicole Kidman, Joseph Fiennes, and Hugo Weaving. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on 23 January 2015.<ref name="sundance1">{{cite web|url=https://www.sundance.org/projects/strangerland|title=Strangerland|publisher=Sundance Film Festival|access-date=29 June 2021|archive-date=6 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106104725/https://www.sundance.org/projects/strangerland|url-status=dead}}</ref> The film did not have a theatrical release in its native Australia, but did receive a limited release in cinemas in the United States on 10 July 2015 by Alchemy.<ref name="comingsoon1">{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/446653-exclusive-the-poster-for-strangerland-starring-nicole-kidman|title=Exclusive: The Poster for Strangerland, Starring Nicole Kidman|website=ComingSoon.net|date=3 June 2015|access-date=29 June 2021|archive-date=22 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722232206/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/446653-exclusive-the-poster-for-strangerland-starring-nicole-kidman|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Plot==
<!-- Summarize Film/TV plot with your own (400 to 700) words. Do NOT submit copyrighted/paraphrased content from other web sites. For "How To" guidance, see WP:PLOTSUM, MOS:PLOTLENGTH & MOS:FILMPLOT / MOS:TVPLOT --> Catherine and Matthew Parker move with their children Lily and Tom to the remote Australian desert town of Nathgari. Although the family is unhappy with the move, Matthew and Tom blame Lily for forcing them to leave the larger town of Coonaburra. When he can't sleep, Tom sometimes walks around the neighbourhood at night, an activity his parents discourage. One night, Matthew sees Tom leave the house, followed by Lily. He says nothing and goes back to sleep. The next morning, Catherine oversleeps. When she cannot find the children, she calls Matthew at work. He reassures her that they must be at school, but school officials told her Tom and Lily had not been attending. She's even more worried when an haboob hits the town. Matthew, not wanting his family's business known, discourages her from contacting authorities. Against his wishes, Catherine contacts several people, including police.
Detective David Rae discovers Lily had been reported missing previously. Catherine and Matthew reluctantly reveal that she had disappeared for two days, but soon turned up at a friend's house. Rae learns that Lily had been having sex with her Coonaburra teacher, Neil McPherson, and Matthew assaulted McPherson, earning a restraining order. To Rae, the Parkers admit they left Coonaburra to escape the shame.
Catherine becomes frustrated with Matthew's focus as a pharmacist regardless of the community's reliance on his services. Rae's investigation reveals Lily had multiple sexual relationships despite being only fifteen. Catherine reluctantly reads Lily's diary, with its irate, angsty, and hyper-sexualised imagery, including poetry and pictures of her lovers; McPherson, the Parker's challenged handyman Burtie, and local youth Steve, aka "Slug." It also describes her parents' marriage as a sham, which brings Catherine to tears. Catherine turns the diary over to Rae, asking that he not reveal it to Matthew.
Matthew drives to Coonaburra, where he questions and threatens McPherson. Coreen, Rae's girlfriend and Burtie's sister, becomes annoyed when Rae won't share details of the case with her. She's also jealous, fearing Rae's attraction to Catherine. Rae secretly shreds diary pages that connect Burtie to Lily, and discourages Burtie from self-incrimination. Rae arrests Slug but, releases him for lack of testimony and evidence.
The town organises a search party. Matthew refuses to participate, further angering Catherine. Rae suggests her children might have run away for reasons closer to home. With Lily's sexual inclinations, and Matthew's reluctance to help search, Catherine asks if he ever molested her. Incredulous, he denies it. Upon learning Burtie had sex with Lily, Matthew beats up Burtie and searches his house. Coreen demands Rae arrest Matthew, and accuses him of taking the Parkers' side; Rae reveals Burtie's conduct.
Burtie tries speaking with Matthew, who's not home. He leaves after Catherine invites him in, attempting to seduce him while wearing Lily's clothes. Matthew searches the desert alone in the opposite direction, and finds Tom delirious from dehydration. Catherine yells at Tom for refusing to speak. He eventually tells Matthew he saw Lily get into a car.
Catherine overhears locals speculating on Lily's disappearance and likely death. She's distraught after a caller labels Lily "a whore". Desperate, she visits Rae, and when she fails to seduce him, wanders into the desert at night, alone in despair. The next morning, traumatised and stripped naked, she reappears in town and all the men gawp at her. Matthew rescues and tenderly bathes her. Hold each other in bed, Catherine admits she hid Lily's diary from Matthew, and he reveals he saw them leave that night. He admits he did not stop them because he was angry and wanted to punish Lily. Catherine hugs Tom and walks onto the porch, where she and Matthew console each other. While holding Lily's diary, Matthew cries and says that he wishes he could take back that one moment.
Two passages of Lily's poetry are heard in her voice over aerial imagery of the vast outstretching Outback – Lily's fate is left uncertain....
==Cast== <!--- Main & Notable Cast only, as per MOS:FILMCAST & WP:NOTDATABASE ordered first by Opening then Closing Motion picture credits. Do NOT list "Uncredited" cast without an RS cite ref. "All [Role] names should be referred to as Credited, OR by common name supported by a Reliable Source" as per WP:FILMOGRAPHY. ---> {{Cast listing| <!-- Opening credits in order --> * Nicole Kidman as Catherine Parker<ref name="THR-Strangerland"/> * Joseph Fiennes as Matthew Parker<ref name="Joseph"/> * Hugo Weaving as David Rae<ref name="THR-Strangerland"/> * Lisa Flanagan as Coreen * Meyne Wyatt as Burtie * Maddison Brown as Lily Parker<ref name="Maddison"/> * Nicholas Hamilton as Tom Parker <!-- Add'l credits in order of closing scroll --> * Martin Dingle-Wall as Neil McPherson }}
==Production== On 20 October 2013, Nicole Kidman, Guy Pearce, and Hugo Weaving joined the cast of the thriller film. Screen Australia announced it would finance the film. Macdara Kelleher and Naomi Wench were announced as producers, and Kim Farrant was announced as director, with a script by Fiona Seres and Michael Kinirons.<ref name=THR-Strangerland>{{cite news|last=Bulbeck|first=Pip|title=Nicole Kidman, Guy Pearce and Hugo Weaving to Star In Australian Feature 'Strangerland'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nicole-kidman-guy-pearce-hugo-649682|access-date=29 June 2021|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=20 October 2013|archive-date=19 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419091158/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nicole-kidman-guy-pearce-hugo-649682|url-status=live}}</ref> The other cast members announced included Lisa Flanagan, Martin Dingle-Wall, Meyne Wyatt and Nicholas Hamilton.<ref name="Shooting-THR"/> On 13 March 2014, Joseph Fiennes joined the film, replacing Pearce.<ref name=Joseph>{{cite news|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|title=Joseph Fiennes Replacing Guy Pearce In 'Strangerland'|url=https://www.deadline.com/2014/03/joseph-fiennes-replacing-guy-pearce-in-strangerland/|access-date=29 June 2021|newspaper=Deadline Hollywood|date=13 March 2014|archive-date=20 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520122118/https://www.deadline.com/2014/03/joseph-fiennes-replacing-guy-pearce-in-strangerland/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 27 March 2014, it was announced that Maddison Brown had landed a lead role in the film to debut her acting career, which Worldview Entertainment would finance.<ref name=Maddison>{{cite news|last=Kroll|first=Justin|title=Maddison Brown to Co-Star With Nicole Kidman in 'Strangerland'|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/maddison-brown-nicole-kidman-strangerland-1201148765/|newspaper=Variety|date=27 March 2014|access-date=10 December 2017|archive-date=3 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103173036/https://variety.com/2014/film/news/maddison-brown-nicole-kidman-strangerland-1201148765/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Filming=== On 27 March 2014, it was announced that the shooting of the film was set to start in the last week of March in Sydney.<ref>{{cite news|last=Molumby|first=Deirdre|title=Irish-Australian Feature 'Strangerland' Begins Shooting|url=http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4287005&tpl=archnews&force=1|access-date=29 June 2021|newspaper=iftn.ie|date=27 March 2014|archive-date=23 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723001157/http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4287005&tpl=archnews&force=1|url-status=live}}</ref> The filming was also set to take place in Canowindra and Broken Hill in New South Wales,<ref name=Shooting-THR>{{cite news|last=Bulbeck|first=Pip|title=Nicole Kidman's 'Strangerland' Begins Shooting in Australia|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nicole-kidmans-strangerland-begins-shooting-691581|access-date=29 June 2021|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=27 March 2014|archive-date=12 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212011111/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nicole-kidmans-strangerland-begins-shooting-691581|url-status=live}}</ref> and Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.ntnews.com.au/entertainment/extraspecial-day-for-alice-springs-as-bigscreen-drama-comes-calling/story-fnk0b1gl-1227037368705 |title=Extra-special day for Alice Springs as big-screen drama comes calling |website=M.ntnews.com.au |access-date=11 December 2016}}</ref> Shooting began on 31 March 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Shooting Starts On 'Strangerland'|url=http://www.filmink.com.au/news/shooting-starts-on-lsquostrangerlandrsquo-/|access-date=2 April 2014|newspaper=filmink.com.au|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407074723/http://www.filmink.com.au/news/shooting-starts-on-lsquostrangerlandrsquo-/|archivedate=7 April 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Sams|first=Christine|title=Nicole Kidman firing up rural hearts with filming of Strangerland in Canowindra|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/nicole-kidman-firing-up-rural-hearts-with-filming-of-strangerland-in-canowindra/news-story/c4f3e2c4277e2e4d9d16b5224c1236c3|access-date=29 June 2021|newspaper=Daily Telegraph|date=31 March 2014}}</ref>
==Release== The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on 23 January 2015.<ref name="sundance1"/> Shortly after the premiere, Alchemy acquired the US distribution rights to the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/sundance-nicole-kidman-drama-strangerland-heading-to-alchemy/|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|title=Sundance: Alchemy Acquires Nicole Kidman Drama 'Strangerland'|website=Thewrap.com|date=24 January 2015|access-date=29 June 2021|archive-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925103821/https://www.thewrap.com/sundance-nicole-kidman-drama-strangerland-heading-to-alchemy/|url-status=live}}</ref> The film went on to screen at the Belgrade Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, Sydney Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hugo.random-scribblings.net/?tribe_events=strangerland-belgrade-film-festival|title=Strangerland @Belgrade Film Festival | Hugo Weaving | Random Scribblings|website=Hugo.random-scribblings.net|access-date=11 December 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721195732/http://hugo.random-scribblings.net/?tribe_events=strangerland-belgrade-film-festival|archivedate=21 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestranger.com/movies/22097239/strangerland|title=Strangerland|website=SIFF.net|access-date=29 June 2021|archive-date=29 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629205326/https://www.thestranger.com/movies/22097239/strangerland|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was released in the United States on 10 July 2015 in a limited release and through video on demand.<ref name="comingsoon1"/>
The film did not release to cinemas in Australia, but was released to DVD, Blu-Ray & Digital by Transmission.<ref>{{cite web |title=Strangerland |url=https://www.transmissionfilms.com.au/films/strangerland |website=Transmission Films |access-date=3 December 2021 |archive-date=3 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203022756/https://www.transmissionfilms.com.au/films/strangerland |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Reception== ===Marketing=== An image and a new synopsis was revealed on 5 May 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last=Raup|first=Jordan|title=First Image of Nicole Kidman & Joseph Fiennes In 'Strangerland' and New Synopsis|url=https://thefilmstage.com/first-image-of-nicole-kidman-joseph-fiennes-in-strangerland-and-new-synopsis/|access-date=29 June 2021|newspaper=thefilmstage.com|date=5 May 2014}}</ref> On 3 June 2015, the official poster was released.<ref name="comingsoon1"/>
===Critical response=== ''Strangerland'' was met with mixed to negative reviews, earning a 40% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 65 critics with a weighted average score of 5.17/10. The site's consensus: "''Strangerland'' has a marvelous cast, but their efforts aren't enough to overcome the story's blandly predictable melodrama.".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/strangerland/|title=''Strangerland'' (2016)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango Media|access-date=16 May 2025|archive-date=24 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924203043/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/strangerland_2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Metacritic reports a normalized score of 42 out of 100, based on 13 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/strangerland/critic-reviews|title=''Strangerland'' Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=29 June 2021|archive-date=30 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630184420/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/strangerland/critic-reviews|url-status=live}}</ref>
Brad Wheeler of ''The Globe and Mail'' gave a positive review, calling it "Eerie and unpredictable, ''Strangerland'' holds attention, even if traditional suspense tricks are avoided like they were dingos at the daycare."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/film-reviews/strangerland-an-uneasy-film-about-an-emotionally-remote-place/article25404115/|last=Wheeler|first=Brad|title=Strangerland: An uneasy film about an emotionally remote place|work=The Globe and Mail|date=10 July 2015|access-date=29 June 2021|archive-date=21 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621112400/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/film-reviews/strangerland-an-uneasy-film-about-an-emotionally-remote-place/article25404115/|url-status=live}}</ref> Matthew Lickona of ''San Diego Reader'' commented "Director Kim Farrant goes for a feeling that's as harsh, unforgiving, and wild as the land she lets the camera linger on, and it's the right idea when handling the potential melodrama of the material."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sandiegoreader.com/movies/strangerland/|last=Lickona|first=Matthew|title=Strangerland|work=San Diego Reader|access-date=29 June 2021|archive-date=29 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629203823/https://www.sandiegoreader.com/movies/strangerland/|url-status=live}}</ref> Staci Layne Wilson of ''AtHomeInHollywood.com'' stated that the film is "presented through a prism of womanly wantonness juxtaposed with a mother's pain and fear."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://athomeinhollywood.com/2015/06/18/strangerland-review-evil-doings-down-under|author=Staci Layne Wilson|title=STRANGERLAND Review — Evil Doings Down Under|website=AtHomeInHollywood.com|date=18 June 2015|access-date=29 June 2021|archive-date=4 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104000242/https://athomeinhollywood.com/2015/06/18/strangerland-review-evil-doings-down-under/|url-status=live}}</ref> Joe McGovern of ''Entertainment Weekly'' complimented Nicole Kidman, saying "her best performances have often been as grieving moms (''Dead Calm'', ''The Others'', ''Rabbit Hole'') and here she provides the flaccid movie's sole flash of daring and unpredictability."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2015/07/10/strangerland-ew-review/|last=McGovern|first=Joe|title='Strangerland': EW review|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=10 July 2015|access-date=29 June 2021|archive-date=6 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606230917/https://ew.com/article/2015/07/10/strangerland-ew-review/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Richard Roeper of the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' gave a negative review, saying the film "runs out of gas, leaving us with a couple of final "Forget You" (shall we say) moments. Thanks. Thanks for nothing."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2015/7/9/18463851/strangerland-nicole-kidman-beautiful-images-in-irritating-aussie-story|title='Strangerland': Nicole Kidman, beautiful images in irritating Aussie story|last=Roeper|first=Richard|author-link=Richard Roeper|work=Chicago Sun-Times|date=9 July 2015|access-date=29 June 2021|archive-date=29 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629204703/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2015/7/9/18463851/strangerland-nicole-kidman-beautiful-images-in-irritating-aussie-story|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Accolades=== {| class=wikitable |- !Award !Category !Subject !Result |- |rowspan=2|AFCA Awards |Best Actress |Nicole Kidman |{{nom}} |- |Best Cinematography |P.J. Dillon |{{nom}} |- |rowspan=2|FCCA Awards |Best Actress |Nicole Kidman |{{nom}} |- |Best Supporting Actor |Hugo Weaving |{{nom}} |- |Sundance Film Festival |Grand Jury Prize |rowspan=2|Kim Farrant |{{nom}} |- |Sydney Film Festival |Sydney Film Prize for Best Film |{{nom}} |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb title|2325977}}
Category:2015 English-language films Category:2015 directorial debut films Category:2015 drama films Category:2015 films Category:2015 thriller films Category:Australian thriller films Category:Films about children Category:Films about missing people Category:Films set in Australia Category:Films shot in Sydney Category:Irish thriller films Category:Worldview Entertainment films Category:English-language thriller films