Thomas M Wright’s unconventional, captivating film sees Edgerton as an undercover cop trying to identify a child murderer, opposite the brilliant Sean Harris
Our narrative pathway into this sophisticated, meditative picture is via Henry , an ex-con and drifter who meets a stranger, Paul , on a bus; cinematographer Sam Chiplin creates a surreal theatricality by blackening out the space around them. Paul tells Henry he knows where he can find some work – not of the legal kind – and soon Henry has entered the web of Mark , an undercover police officer posing as a mid-level gangster.
The Stranger is a “cracking the case” narrative, pulling us into the mission to identify the kidnapper and murderer of a boy who went missing several years ago. A full picture of the operation gradually emerges; for a long time it’s not exactly clear who the suspect is, or even the nature of the case. Wright was inspired by the real-life investigation to find the man who murdered 13-year-old Daniel Morcombe, whose family have.
Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morningAmong its unconventional elements is the use of Edgerton’s character as a means to examine trauma, which is more often depicted as being experienced by victims, and sometimes their communities, but rarely cops. The Stranger is different: Mark’s anguish over his work feels terribly real, and this creates a captivating psychological energy that washes over everything.
The performances are crucial. Edgerton is at his best with a brooding, gloomy performance, exploring the dark ramifications of undercover work in a way that feels fresh and intensely captivating. He’s one of those famous actors who seems to have no problem disappearing into unglamorous characters; his role choices, in fact, seem partly engineered to avoid glamour entirely.
Speaking purely in terms of police genre stories, there is a scene, about 30 minutes before the end that I haven’t seen the likes of before: certainly not on this level, with everything coming together at once, and with so much weight behind it all. The plot event in question dramatically registers, but there’s a mood, a tone, an intangible energy that takes it somewhere else, swelling the joints of the film and rattling the bones of the characters and the audience.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The Sandman review – Neil Gaiman has created 2022’s single greatest hour of TV dramaThis dark, engrossing comic book adaptation is utterly lavish, and features an emotional depth that’s almost unheard of in fantasy epics. It should delight fans and newcomers alike
Read more »
The Sandman review – Neil Gaiman has created 2022’s single greatest hour of TV dramaThis dark, engrossing comic book adaptation is utterly lavish, and features an emotional depth that’s almost unheard of in fantasy epics. It should delight fans and newcomers alike
Read more »
Judge urges review of ‘disturbing’ legal costs‘Disturbing’ $1m legal costs: Judge urges review
Read more »
They weren’t even born, so why is Gen Z nostalgic for the ’80s?'You can have nostalgia for things you haven’t directly experienced.' Break out the shoulder pads. Shows such as Stranger Things are driving a retro revival among younger generations. | Barry Divola
Read more »
Aerobuses and Darling Harbour theme parks among plans that didn't make cut for Harbour CityA new exhibition showcases the 'weird, wacky and horrible' design proposals for Sydney's best-known landmarks.
Read more »
How investors can rebound from global markets double-whammyLessons from three decades of investing highlight the best strategies to turn around investment performance.
Read more »