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Even with the heightened witchy nuttiness, performances have a nicely offhanded feel to them. Alexander provides a strong screen presence as a guy who has blocked his own memories of this chaos, and continues to reject it as long as possible. Quine provides a terrifically slippery, sinister presence, while Cairns is the most sympathetic character, increasingly unnerved by every new detail she unearths. As things get crazier, so does the acting, providing an entertaining kick.

Stylistically, the film evokes camp British horror classics through its use of woozy camerawork, a freaky soundscape and tricks like split screens and jarring visions. While the plot is way over-the-top, it also has an intriguing subtext for families that have been splintered by events everyone simply refuses to speak of, fuelling denial, suppressed memories, power plays and darkly brewing grudges. And even if where this goes is more than a little ridiculous, it's so much fun that we can't look away.

themes, language, violence

21.Sep.24

Zegen has terrific energy as Andy, who is already spiralling when we meet him and only gets increasingly desperate. So even if he never wins us over, he's at least likeable enough to hold the interest. His chemistry with the gifted young Suarez has some nicely unexpected textures to it, revealing deeper character traits. And Suarez provides the grace the entire film so badly needs and none of the other adults on-screen can even remotely muster.

Through all of this, a boisterous vegan animal rights protest is marching through the streets, continually crossing into Andy and Anna's path, although the relevance is rather tangential until it becomes a deliberate plot device. Indeed, where the story goes feels rather corny and predictable, and also uncharacteristically sentimental. But at least it's skilfully assembled, with a strong use of settings and a nicely played father-daughter vibe that finds some gently enjoyable wrinkles along the way.

themes, language, violence

20.Sep.24

Performances are earthy and engaging, although the film undermines the audience's involvement by splitting the perspective between Heather and Jimmy. Still, both Matten and Bratt have plenty of charisma to make their characters' journeys compelling, and they bounce off each other in ways that create a nicely edgy camaraderie. There's also a gently developing romance as Jimmy studies Navajo with his supervisor Krista (Reyes), plus an affirming story for Jones' textured Gloria and Nataanii's dad (Begay).

"You all descend from warriors," Benny reminds these kids, while Heather appeals to their never-give-up spirit. The narrative wanders off to follow sideroads addressing community issues like alcoholism and employment. And the script stumbles as it forces the themes into the usual structure for this kind of movie. Still, as this team turns itself around by playing in an upbeat "rez ball" style, the film focusses on how this positivity is something the entire nation needs.

themes, language, violence

22.Sep.24