Trailer

The Nightingale

Runtime
2hrs 16mins
Directed by
Jennifer Kent
Featuring
Aisling Franciosi, Sam Claflin, Baykali Ganambarr
Body

“Jennifer Kent’s The Nightingale is a brilliant, horrifying tale of revenge” — LA Times

The Nightingale is a meditation on the consequences of violence and the price of seeking vengeance. Set during the colonization of Australia in 1825, the film follows Clare (Aisling Franciosi), a 21-year-old Irish convict. Having served her 7-year sentence, she is desperate to be free of her abusive master, Lieutenant Hawkins (Sam Claflin) who refuses to release her from his charge. Clare’s husband Aidan retaliates and she becomes the victim of a harrowing crime at the hands of the lieutenant and his cronies.

When British authorities fail to deliver justice, Clare decides to pursue Hawkins, who leaves his post suddenly to secure a captaincy up north. Unable to find compatriots for her journey, she is forced to enlist the help of a young Aboriginal tracker Billy (Baykali Ganambarr) who grudgingly takes her through the rugged wilderness to track down Hawkins. The terrain and the prevailing hostilities are frightening, as fighting between the original inhabitants of the land and its colonisers plays out in what is now known as ‘The Black War.’ Clare and Billy are hostile towards each other from the outset, both suffering their own traumas and mutual distrust, but as their journey leads them deeper into the wilderness, they must learn to find empathy for one another, while weighing the true cost of revenge.

"Attention: THE NIGHTINGALE features potentially triggering acts of sexual violence. It also contains violence towards children and Tasmanian Aboriginal people. The reason for this is to show an authentic and honest representation of Tasmanian history during colonization.” — IFC

Reviews
Review Text

It's a devastating, uncomfortable watch. But there's a sense that The Nightingale needs to be exactly the film it is, bubbling with completely justified anger and pain.

Review Author
Hannah Woodhead
Review Publication
Little White Lies
Review Text

Kent shifts from the supernatural thrills of her breakout sensation The Babadook to something more hellishly realistic.

Review Author
Monica Castillo
Review Publication
The Wrap
Review Text

It may not always be easy to sit through, but we're nonetheless lucky to witness it.

Review Author
Inkoo Kang
Review Publication
Slate

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