CUT SNAKE

This gritty and violent Australian psychological crime-thriller is set in Melbourne in the mid 1970’s, and centres on a man who is drawn back to the dark world of crime.

Sparra (Alex Russell) has closed the door on his past, works an honest job and is engaged to his girlfriend (Jessica De Gouw), but his dark secrets resurface when Pommie (Sullivan Stapleton) an ex-con, shows up at his doorstep.

There’s a strangeness between these characters which permeates throughout. Their relationship is awkwardly pretentious and Sparra is quietly terrified.

Mystery and suspense accelerate, and through flashbacks the audience learn their daunting secret which spirals out of control, leading to an unpredictable and shocking climax.

This is not a great film, but Stapleton’s performance as the unnerving psychopath is praiseworthy and should lead to greater roles.

With the release of many Australian films in recent months, this low budget feature may find it difficult to make a dent at the all-important box office. (MMo)

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