Mystery Road (2013)

Ivan Sen's low-key thriller is probably best known from the more recent television series it spawned (2018-2022) which I haven't seen.

What I can say is that the 2013 original film, which also spawned a sequel (Goldstone [2016]) is that it's an excellent piece of minimalist work, reminding you at times of the small-town events of Hell Or High Water (2016) as well as the sprawling vastness of The Proposition (2005), also an Australian production.

Sen's film sidesteps the humour of the former, focusing on the brutality and intrigue of the latter, as a young indigenous girl is found dead on the outskirts of a small outback settlement and local aboriginal cop Jay Swan is assigned to solve the case. It quickly becomes apparent that no-one, least of all the otherwise xenophobic police department are interested in deciphering what exactly has happened.

The apt title of the film covers a range of enigma that is quietly placed through the drama, which plays out like a slow burning western at times, partially demonstrated by a hugely impressive shoot out towards its conclusion, which somehow successfully works at the same pacing of the preceding couple of hours. It also tips its hat to past classics with the genre trope of a straight (shooting) sheriff attempting to clear up a corrupt town, although Sen's piece has many more layers to unearth beyond that.

Hugo Weaving has a blast as a cop whose motives are murky and confusing; indeed, Jay's own back story is hinted at in conversations with his ex-wife and colleagues which leads to yet more possible conundrums for the viewer to think about.

There's plenty of noir to Mystery Road, as well its impressive ability to instantly depict social, economic, and racial discrepancies in the opening crime scene, setting the scene perfectly for what's about to unfurl.

With excellent performances to boot, Ivan Sen's film is a truly gripping one, offering as many questions as answers; not least in its beautiful and beguiling final shot. 8.2/10