Animal Kingdom (2010)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: With confident pacing, a smart script, and a top-notch cast, Animal Kingdom represents the best the Australian film industry has to offer.
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Cast
as Andrew "Pope" Cody
as Barry "Baz" Brown
as Detective Senior Sgt. Nathan Leckie
as Darren Cody
as Janine "Smurf" Cody
as Craig Cody
as Joshua "J" Cody
as Ezra White
as Ezra White
as Detective Justin Norris
as Nicky Henry
as Catherine Brown
as Detective Randall Roache
as Alicia Henry
as Gus Emery
as Barrister Justine Hopper
as Const. Daniel Hordern
as Const. Peter Simmons
as John Harrop
as Andy Emery
as Richard Collis
as Dacinta Collis
as Sarah Leckie
as Scott Leckie
as Armed Robbery Detective
as Paramedic #1
as Paramedic #2
as Hood #1
as Hood #2
as Waitress
as Cashier
as Shopper
as Police Radio
as PSG Santo
as PSG Gary
as PSG Tom
as Smurf's Neighbor
as Court Warden
as SOG
as Reporter
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Critic Reviews for Animal Kingdom
All Critics (154) | Top Critics (29) | Fresh (146) | Rotten (8) | DVD (5)
It's not unique, but as a distillation of a well-worn genre, it's admirable.
The film establishes a menacing, unsparing mood that never wavers.
The naturalistic style Michod employs adds to the sense of dread. Is there no way out of this existence? To whom would it appeal?
Dark and mesmerizing.
It's a remarkable film: gritty, gut-churning, thrillingly acted.
Writer-director David Michod creates a densely textured moral universe that makes good on his metaphoric title.
Audience Reviews for Animal Kingdom
An intense, gritty depiction of a family whose life is dominated by crime and drugs, and how the youngest of the bunch (James Frecheville) is unfortunately faced with turning his uncles in after they commit a violent crime in retaliation to a corrupt police force. A cold-blooded Aussie thriller that features some powerful acting, especially Jacki Weaver as the matriarch of the bunch, and Ben Mendelsohn as one of the brothers who possesses a psychotic streak. It is a film that contains a lot of interesting twists and subtlety, as well as some pretty violent actions that successfully catch the viewer off guard. A simply riveting film that remains arresting throughout, with one of the more shocking endings I can recall.
Super Reviewer
One of the better opening monologues I've seen, eminently quotable and providing not only a snapshot of all the characters we'll meet, but also a voice for the film. Here's a taste: "Mom kept me away from her family because she was scared. I didn't know it at the time, but they were all scared, even if they didn't show it [...]. Even if they didn't know it, exactly. Even if they were having to do what crooks do all the time, which is block out the thing they must know - they must know it - which is that crooks always come undone, one way or another. [...] All this seemed strange to me, but not strange, either, you know what I mean? Kids just are wherever they are, and they just do whatever they're doing. This is where I was, and this is what I was doing." Josh's mom has just died of a drug overdose, and he tells us all this over the opening ten minutes, punctuated by a few telling conversations, as we see the family that he has no choice but to move in with, and the crimes he won't be able to help getting mixed up in. With the die cast, the stakes remain high, as this coming-of-age story has an angle like few others; as opposed to having to prove himself in the world of crime, Josh needs only to survive. Tense and well-acted, sincere but gritty, it's got several surprises and most importantly, comes across as a story that could be true. An unconventional crime flick that you must see.
Super Reviewer
An intriguing tension filled film, 'Animal Kingdom' is a strong debut feature from David Michod that draws you in with its darkly brooding characters. The film itself felt like a mix between 'Snowtown' and 'The Wire'. It was similar to 'Snowtown' with its central idea and setting but the constant feeling that no one is safe is reminiscent of 'The Wire'. The film is shot rather conventionally but is filled with imagery revolving around the title. Although the idea isn't original what is original is Animal Kingdom's spin on it, relating a criminal family to a pack of lions. Overall, although unoriginal 'Animal Kingdom' is a worthwhile watch with strong performances and an interesting spin on a much used subject.
Super Reviewer
Animal Kingdom Quotes
| Joshua 'J' Cody: | After my mom died, this is just the world I got thrown in. |
| Janine 'Smurf' Cody: | [crying] I'm having trouble trying to find my positive spin. I'm usually very good at it. Usually it's right there, and I can just have it. But I'm having trouble finding it now. |
| Andrew 'Pope' Cody: | It's a crazy f*ckin' world. |
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