Australiancrime movies, while not enjoying quite as much acclaim as their American or British counterparts, occupy a significant space in the genre. In fact, the 1906 Australian filmThe Story of the Kelly Gang, which follows 19th-century bushrangerNed Kelly and his notorious band of outlaws, was the world’s first full-length narrative feature film. Of course, crime flicks from “The Land Down Under” have significantly evolved since that historic debut over 100 years ago.
Oftentimes gritty and unflinching in their portrayals of dark subjects and dubious characters, Australian crime films have particularly grown in popularity over the past 25 years or so, winning over both critics and audience members alike, while racking up box office accolades and coveted awards along the way. From cinematic retellings of true crimes to big-screen tales about killers and gangsters, here are the 10 greatest Australian crime movies of all time.
10Stone (1974)
Stoneis alow-budget outlaw biker filmwritten, directed, and produced by Sandy Harbutt and starring Ken Shorter in the title role. The movie follows Sydney detective Stone as he poses as a member of the GraveDiggers motorcycle club while investigating a series of murders inside the gang. Harbutt also co-stars as GraveDiggers' leader, Undertaker, while futureMad Maxstars Hugh Keays-Byrne, Roger Ward, and Vincent Gil are also featured as club members. Despite the film’s commercial and cultural impact, it would be Harbutt’s sole feature-film directing credit.
What Makes It Great
Made for just under $200,000,Stonewas a box office hit, grossing about $1.5 million (the equivalent of $10 million today). But, its legacy extends far beyond its commercial success. Not only did it inspire George Miller’sMad Maxfranchise, but it also grew an impressive cult following that’s still going strong to this day. In fact, renowned writer/director Quentin Tarantino is such a big fan of the film that he screened it for audiences in Hollywood back in 2011.
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9The Stranger (2022)
Inspired by the murder investigation of 13-year-old Australian boy Daniel Morcombe in the early 2000s,The Strangerstars Sean Harris as Henry Teague, a prime suspect in the abduction and murder of a young teen, and Joel Edgerton as an undercover police officer who attempts to gain Teague’s trust in an effort to bring him to justice.
While a critical success, the movie did not come without its controversy. Despite being a fictionalized account ofThe Sting: The Undercover Operation That Caught Daniel Morcombe’s Killerby Kate Kyriacou (neither Morcombe’s name nor the exact details of the case are mentioned), Morcombe’s parentswere outspoken in their criticism of the film.
Dark and slow-paced,The Strangerenjoyed a limited theatrical run in Australia and a worldwide release on Netflix. Well-received by critics for its tension building and the lead performances of Harris and Edgerton, the movie won five awards at the Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards, including Best Actor (Edgerton), Best Supporting Actor (Harris), and Best Film.
Stream on Netflix
8The Square (2008)
Co-written by Joel Edgerton and directed by his older brother Nash Edgerton,The Squareis a neo-noir thriller starring David Roberts and Claire van der Bloom as two married people engaged in an affair. The crime element comes into play when Carla (van der Bloom) convinces Ray (Roberts) to help her rob Carla’s gangster husband (Anthony Hayes). Chaos ensues.
The Squaremarked an important debut for both Edgerton brothers, as it was Nash Edgerton’s first feature-film directing credit and Joel Edgerton’s first major writing credit. It took Joel Edgerton eight years to write the script, which was originally conceived as a crime caper, though it was Nash Edgerton who convinced his brother that the movie could work as a thriller. The creative endeavor paid off for the brothers, as critics compared the film’s suspenseful yet darkly comedic tone to the Coen brothers' early work.The Squarewas nominated for six Australian Film Institute Awards (which, as of 2011, became known as the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards), while winning Best Sound at the Inside Film Awards and receiving the honor for Best Screenplay by the Film Critics Circle of Australia.
Rent on Vudu
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7Snowtown (2011)
The Snowtown Murders
Snowtown(also known asThe Snowtown Murders) is based on the true story about a series of murders committed by three Australian men around the town of Adelaide throughout the 1990s. Featuring a cast of relative unknowns, the film tells the story of a violent man (Daniel Henshall) who takes his girlfriend’s teenage son (Lucas Pittaway) under his wing, leading him down a sadistic path of torture and murder.
Making a strong case as one of themost underrated serial killer movies of all time,Snowtownemploys a chilling and realistic style that highlights the brutal nature of the actual case – the killers tortured many of their victims and buried their bodies in barrels. Clearly, this makes for an uncomfortable viewing experience, though critics praised director Justin Kurzel (True History of the Kelly Gang,Nitram) for going to extreme lengths to make a powerful film that stays with you long after you finish it.Snowtowncleaned up at the inaugural AACTA Awards, winning six awards, including Best Direction, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actor for Henshall.
Stream on AMC+
6Two Hands (1999)
The same year Heath Ledger had his breakthrough role in10 Things I Hate About You, he also starred inTwo Handsas a young bouncer who plans to rob a bank to pay back a local mob boss. Featuring a fantastic soundtrack (it was nominated for Best Original Soundtrack Album at the 1999 ARIA Music Awards), the movie co-stars veteran Australian actors Bryan Brown and Tom Long, as well as Rose Byrne (Insidious,Bridesmaids) in only her second movie role.
WhileHeath Ledger’s performancein10 Things I Hate About Youlargely overshadowed his work inTwo Hands, the latter film’s relatively low budget and delayed release in the United States contributed to its underrated status among the late actor’s higher-profile roles. For his quirky and comedic efforts onTwo Hands, which many critics and audience members labeled as the “AustralianGoodfellas,” Ledger received a Best Actor nomination at the Australian Film Institute Awards. The movie would go on to win five AFI Awards, including Best Film and Best Original Screenplay.
Rent on Amazon
5Lantana (2001)
Lantanaopens with the discovery of a woman’s dead body in a Lantana bush, an invasive species of shrub often found in Sydney. What follows is aMagnolia-esque ensemble character study of four couples just days prior to the mysterious death.Based on the playSpeaking in Tongues, the film stars Anthony LaPaglia, Geoffrey Rush, and Barbara Hershey.
Lantanatakes a somewhat different cinematic approach compared to most Australian crime films, in that it relies heavily on the performances of its actors to dive into the complex themes of fidelity, betrayal, and forgiveness. The film was rewarded for its willingness to honestly portray these subjects, sweeping all four acting categories at the 2001 AFI Awards, while also taking home the gold for Best Film, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Rent on Google Play
4The Boys (1998)
Shot in the gritty, documentary-like style utilized in many Australian crime films from the 1990s,The Boysstars David Wenham (Faramir in Peter Jackson’sLord of the Ringstrilogy) as psychopathic ex-con Brett Sprague, whose day-long drinking binge with his two brothers culminates in a terrible act of violence. Based on the true crime-inspired play of the same name, the film co-stars Tori Collette and marked the feature-film directorial debut for Rowan Woods (Little Fish,Winged Creatures).
The Boyswon over critics and audience members for its almost-claustrophobic cameraworkand Woods’s use of flash forwards, taking viewers on a ride that they don’t necessarily want to be on, but feel compelled to see to the end. The film received 12 AFI Award nominations, winning four. For her role as Brett’s longtime girlfriend Michelle, Toni Collette won the AFI Award for Best Supporting Actress, her third win in a span of five years. One year later, she would star in M. Night Shyamalan’sThe Sixth Sense, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Rent on Apple TV
3Romper Stomper (1992)
Russell Crowe turned in one of his most terrifyingcinematic performancesas a sadistic skinhead in the controversial and critically acclaimedRomper Stomper. Released six years beforeAmerican History X, the Australian indie film follows a group of neo-Nazi gang members from inner-city Melbourne who react violently to the growing diversity in their neighborhood. Crowe stars as gang leader Hando, while Daniel Pollock, who tragically died by suicide several months before the film’s release, plays Davey, Hando’s best friend and second-in-command.
Due to its unsettling depiction of violence and racism,Romper Stomperis a difficult watch, though its stark realism and Crowe’s turn as the ultraviolent Hando earned the film commercial success and critical accolades. Eventually grossing $3.2 million at the Australian box office,Romper Stomperbecame the second highest-grossing Australian film of 1992, behind Baz Luhrmann’s romantic comedyStrictly Ballroom. The film won three AFI Awards – Best Achievement in Sound, Best Original Music Score, and Best Actor in a Lead Role for Crowe, while Pollock was posthumously nominated for Best Supporting Actor.
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2Chopper (2000)
For his breakthrough role inChopper,Eric Bana gained 30 pounds to play Mark “Chopper” Read, a real-life convicted criminal who wrote the best-selling biographyChopper: From the Insidewhile still serving time in prison. To prepare for the film, which focuses on Read’s time in prison as well as his misadventures following his initial release, Bana actually lived with Read for two days and spent considerable time interviewing his friends and former associates.
Bana’s commitment to the title role earned him an AFI Award for Best Actor, whileRobert Ebert praised his performancein a 2001 review, writing, “He has a quality no acting school can teach, and few actors can match: You cannot look away from him.” As a whole,Chopperearned respect from critics for its darkly comedic tone that offsets the film’s stark violence, with then-newbie director Andrew Dominik (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford,Killing Them Softly) getting props for his intelligent work behind the camera.
1Animal Kingdom (2010)
Animal Kingdom
Possibly the most renowned Australian crime film of the 21st century,Animal Kingdomwas loosely inspired by actual crimes allegedly committed by the Melbourne-based Pettingill family in the late 1980s. James Frecheville stars as a 17-year-old boy who becomes involved in the criminal dealings of his estranged family following the death of his mother. The movie features an all-star cast that also includes Ben Mendelsohn, Guy Pearce, Joel Edgerton, and Jacki Weaver.
Earning the record for most nominations (18) and most wins (10) at the AFI Awards,Animal Kingdomstands out for its thriller-like pacing, engaging script, and the incredible performances of its ensemble cast. Jacki Weaver particularly shines as crime family matriarch Janine “Smurf” Cody, a role that earned her Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress.Animal Kingdom’s impact and influence extended far beyond Australia, with Quentin Tarantino naming it his third favorite film of 2010, behindThe Social NetworkandToy Story 3.The success of the film spawned an American TV series adaptation of the same name, which aired for six seasons on TNT and starred Ellen Barkin as the conniving “Smurf.”
