The Cost

Matthew Holmes delivers a truly powerful examination of the psychology of revenge in this tense thriller. It begs the viewer to question their own moral fortitude and whether or not they believe in an eye for an eye.

Holmes has yet again assembled a team of artists around him that seem to know exactly how to achieve his vision and do it justice. The performances are gut wrenching, the cinematography is slick and superb, the soundtrack is haunting, and the screenplay is en pointe. This is a film that shows that you don't need hundreds of millions of dollars to make something that looks it.

What makes The Cost especially powerful is that, unlike so many other revenge films, it doesn't glorify violence, nor does it lionise those who use violence in retribution. It questions how far is too far? When our characters find themselves questioning their choices it rings true, and we even find ourselves bouncing back and forth over what we would do in that situation.

The squeamish might find this one a difficult watch, but The Cost rewards the perseverance of the viewer with a deeply moving exploration of the human psyche.

Wow! Loved, loved, loved! What a film! What an experience it was. From the very first scene to the very end you will be on the edge of the seat, your perception of what is right and wrong will swap places. Extremely thought provoking masterpiece. You will leave the cinema and will keep thinking about the film for days. What would I do in this situation? How far would you go to serve the justice? Who is a real bad character in the film? Highly recommended.

Meeting the cast and everyone involved in the production was a true highlight of my night. Thank you for creating one of my favourite films.

The Cost is an Australian thriller drama I heard of for the first time before it's screening at the Vision Splendid Film Festival (June, 2023). It was a major drawcard for me as I'm a lover of crime fiction. I only watched the beginning of the trailer to avoid spoilers.

The film held me from beginning to end. I was invested in the characters' decisions from the moment the gag was pulled! It was a visceral experience that drew exclaims from the audience. There was also a red herring timely placed that will leave many to wonder what could have been. Nail biting climax to a sustained tension drama with outstanding actors-it's a film that can be discussed at length and that's a good thing.

Great story telling here, edge of your seat stuff, really enjoyed it.

Another good follow up by talented director Matt Holmes, I didn't like The Legend of Ben Hall, this was much better,

Most of the actors are good except the guy who plays the Jordan is not the most convincing of actors especially in a role that requires so much emotion because of the themes.

Damon Hunter and Mark Dee are exceptional and should be nominated or win awards at this years AACTA awards.

Overall great storytelling, great locations, great production design and music and great direction.

Congrats to everyone who made this film, its a great Indie effort.

Only lost marks for Jordan's casting and some story holes or plausibility issues like when the girl getting kidnapped at the beginning she's walking in a dark street and doesn't even look around, I found that highly unlikely, most women look around.

Also, its just missing some genuine emotion, it has all the right ingredients, but something was missing, I should have felt more - it needed more heart, to dig even deeper into the soul of losing someone to murder. I found that it was Jordan who let it down, I should have cried for his loss, but something didn't connect.

Some people in the reviews claimed it was THOUGH-PROVOKING I mean to each their own but really this is not the type of film you're going to walk away contemplating life unless you're a murderer.

What this film is pure excellent entertainment.

How far would you go to get even?

What lengths would you go to exact revenge, and at what price would you be willing to pay for it or believe it would administer you satisfaction and justice?

These are some of the questions, not answers, that The Cost poses in its challenging and often unsettling narrative.

Written and directed by Australian producer Matthew Holmes and co-written with Gregory Moss this is a worthy addition to the Australian movie landscape and a tense and tight-scripted film to round off 2022. With convincing performances throughout, The Cost seems to have been well casted and carefully thought-out to indeed deliver a thought-provoking experience that will stay with you at least on the drive home and probably longer.

I found it hard to place into a genre and that can be a positive thing for a film sometimes, reflecting the originality of the piece - or at least the will to do so.

Violence collides with conscience here and with a twisting and turning narrative, The Cost packs a punch right to the end, with a brooding soundtrack that fills the film throughout and at feels apt at all times.

I had the chance to see it at the Adelaide premiere and supporters of Australian film, and of course anyone with an openness to be challenged (and a little unsettled), would find here in this film enough meaty content to chew on pre or post Christmas lunch, depending if you have the chance to see it in cinemas or streaming online.