The Rover

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The Rover

R

2014

1h 42m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

171 Reviews

52%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In the near future, mankind's greed and excesses have pushed civilization to the breaking point. Society is in decline, and the rule of law has disintegrated. Hardened drifter Eric (Guy Pearce) wanders across this dangerous and desolate landscape. When thieves steal Eric's car -- and only remaining possession -- they leave behind Rey (Robert Pattinson), a wounded comrade. Eric forces Rey to help him hunt down the gang in an unrelenting quest to take back the one thing that matters to him.

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Critics Consensus

Fueled by engaging performances from Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson, the tension-filled The Rover overcomes its narrative faults through sheer watchability.

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Chris Nashawaty

Entertainment Weekly

Dec 3, 2014

C-

Bleak, brutal, and ultimately pointless, the film stars Guy Pearce as a man whose car is stolen and who won't rest until he not only gets it back but also punishes, with extreme prejudice, the dirtbags who took it.

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Ryan Gilbey

New Statesman

Aug 21, 2014

The Rover equals only sporadically the fraught tension of Michôd's debut, Animal Kingdom (2010), but its horrors feel baked-in and genetic.

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Donald Clarke

Irish Times

Aug 16, 2014

3/5

That final surprising coda (it surprised this reviewer, anyway) goes some way towards making sense of the whole mad enterprise.

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Ankit Ojha

Cinema Elite

Jul 9, 2024

4/5

On paper, it sounds like your everyday revenge drama [...] but writer-director Michôd ensures, from its opening shot to its last second, that the film is anything but.

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Brendan Cassidy

InSession Film

Jun 17, 2024

B-

The Rover has an intriguing story and an incredible central performance, and even has some wonderful direction with a real sense of grit. But the film’s lack of focus between character conflict and setting fails to create a building connection...

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Oct 11, 2023

3/5

…with two immersive lead performances, a desolate atmosphere and some gasp-inducing bursts of in-your-face action, The Rover is a thought-provoking minor slice of sci-fi, all the better for keeping the stakes small…

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Max M

@Househuntermax Sep 24, 2026

If you think about the name of the movie and the ending of the movie, it’s kind of clever. Overall, a good dystopian slow burn of a movie. Comparable to the road, but maybe a little better. Recommend

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Lucifer M

@RT37068049 Aug 30, 2026

A bleak, gritty and tense slow-burn with solid performances by veteran Guy Pearce and the extremely talented Robert Pattinson. This film definitely has a blend of neo-noir with a modern western vibe as well.

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Peter M

@silentduck Aug 6, 2026

You need to be in the right mood, willing to accept a slow burn, and not have false expectations. Then you will mightily enjoy this movie. It’s a gem. Importantly, it is NOT an action post apocalyptic. Be patient. Avoid spoilers. Once you have finished the movie, then, assuming you’ve been paying attention, then all the character arks will make sense. And maybe then you’ll see what the movie is really about (many critics don’t).

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Keith B

@Okbullard Jul 2, 2026

It was a pretty strange revenge film that I wouldn't ever want to see again. The acting was good but the storyline was mediocre.

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Thomas D

@Thom1967 Jun 14, 2026

Brutal, rough and tense. It’s not just about getting his stolen car back, the ending makes it all clear and "justifies" the story in my opinion ! The music is strange, I get it could be disturbing… Guy Pierce is as great as usual, Pattinson is surprisingly good. A great piece of Australian cinema.

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Johnzo F

@Johnzo Jun 14, 2026

The film is bleak to the max. While watching the movie, I wondered was part of the story edited out? I will say it has deeper layers of meaning and a commentary on the world we live in today. In different hands, I would have been out after a few minutes, but its worth watching till completion.

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David Michôd

Director

Guy Pearce

Eric

Robert Pattinson

Rey

Scoot McNairy

Henry

David Field

Archie

Anthony Hayes

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Synopsis

In the near future, mankind's greed and excesses have pushed civilization to the breaking point. Society is in decline, and the rule of law has disintegrated. Hardened drifter Eric (Guy Pearce) wanders across this dangerous and desolate landscape. When thieves steal Eric's car -- and only remaining possession -- they leave behind Rey (Robert Pattinson), a wounded comrade. Eric forces Rey to help him hunt down the gang in an unrelenting quest to take back the one thing that matters to him.

Director: David Michôd
Producer: Liz Watts, David Linde, David Michôd
Screenwriter: David Michôd
Distributor: A24
Production Co: Porchlight Films, Lava Bear Films
Rating: R (Some Bloody Violence|Language)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 20, 2014, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 23, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.1M
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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