Home

REVIEW: The Dry is everything and more of what is expected of a solid Aussie thriller

Headshot of Kellie Balaam
Kellie BalaamAlbany Advertiser
The Dry stars Eric Bana.
Camera IconThe Dry stars Eric Bana. Credit: Roadshow/Roadshow

If you are looking for some edge-of-your-seat drama and mystery, I recommend getting a ticket to see The Dry.

Currently the fifth highest-grossing film of 2021, this film has everything and more of what is expected of a solid Aussie thriller.

Mix a murder with mysterious characters, a small town and a budding romance, and you have the perfect recipe.

Directed by Robert Connolly and based on the book of the same name by Jane Harper, The Dry transports its audience into Kiewarra, a rural town with plenty of secrets.

Federal Agent Aaron Falk (Eric Bana) returns to his hometown after a 20-year absence for the funeral of his old friend, Luke.

Luke had allegedly killed his wife and one of his children, sparing his baby daughter Charlotte, before taking his own life.

Genevieve O’Reilly as Gretchen in The Dry.
Camera IconGenevieve O’Reilly as Gretchen in The Dry.

Persuaded by Luke’s parents, Falk agrees to investigate the deaths with the help of local copper Greg Raco (Keir O’Donnell).

What makes this movie particularly entertaining is the use of two storylines running alongside each other.

The return of Falk to Kiewarra sparks uproar from the residents who believe he was responsible for the death of his close friend and lover 17-year-old Ellie Deacon some 20 years ago.

The audience spends the entire 117-minute run time torn between two questions: Who killed Ellie? And who murdered the Hadler family, leaving poor baby Charlotte alone and terrified?

Filmed in the Wimmera Mallee region of Victoria, the scenery and cinematography is striking.

Shots of golden paddocks and winding roads so dry cars are engulfed in dust clouds highlight the town’s tragic drought situation, going without rain for almost a year.

The release of the film was delayed several months because of COVID-19, but The Dry was worth the wait.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails