Birdeater

This is one of the best Australian films ever made. That's the first anyone has said that in many years since we usually don't make anything THIS good.

A psychological thriller with no violence, blood or gore. All verbal. That's something which I find very fascinating about this film. It has the guts to expose the reality of how people act, especially here in Australia where other films depict it very cliche. It's not afraid to make the viewers feel uncomfortable and red faced. Every situation in this film feels like one you've been through, and every character is someone you've hung out with. It's mentally insane how relatable all of this is - in good and bad ways. Each metaphor, each meaning, expands to something much larger. It's incredible.

The long breathable shots allow the audience to be impacted by such strong and raw performances from all of the cast especially during the dialogue heavy sequences specifically the dinner scene where it puts the audience in an uncomfortable position for an extended matter of time. I fell in love with the fast-paced, musically queued editing with those familiar Banjo-Kazooie and Microsoft error sound effects. After six viewings, the soundtrack has been on repeat daily. It will make my spotify wrapped next year 100%.

Give this film the support it needs to help the duo's next feature which is a schoolies thriller.

The only point to this film was to prove that anyone can make a movie. And here we see that doesn't mean they should.

All the reviews giving this film one or two stars explain why it deserves zero. Everyone who reviewed this film negatively is a better writer than whoever wrote this screenplay.

So many others have panned this film so well for it's unforgivable garbage content. I agree with EVERY low review for their accuracy.

This film had no plot. And when something semi-resembling a plot appeared, it was quickly lost in a film trying to be interesting. None of the characters are likeable, and perhaps that's supposed to be the point? Even the big reveal was disappointing. It just made the film seem even more inane, unnecessary and unappealing.

This wasn't entertaining at all, it was an exercise in futility, self gratification (for the makers) and annoyance.

ALL REVIEWS FOR THIS FILM ABOVE TWO STARS WERE PROVIDED BY PEOPLE WHO WORKED ON THE FILM.

That's obvious. Given they describe and compliment things about the film that it DOES NOT contain.

😂👌👍

"Birdeater" a new indie Australian film making its feature debut, presents an interesting but slightly messy journey. The movie skillfully blends different genres while tackling the tough subject of a toxic relationship, leaving viewers feeling a bit uneasy yet engaged.

The standout moments come from its captivating fever dream sequences, adding a fantastic visual layer to the story. The plot follows Irene, who joins her fiancé Louie's unorthodox buck's party weekend, leading to unexpected and unsettling events. Louie's groomsmen's actions take the celebration into a wild, drug-induced ride, painting a darkly humorous and thought-provoking picture of young Australian men.

Although "Birdeater" isn't flawlessly executed, its willingness to explore challenging themes and the imaginative use of fever dream sequences make it a noteworthy contender in the indie film realm. For those intrigued by boundary-pushing storytelling that blends genres, this movie might just be worth checking out.

Billed as an Australian psychological thriller, whose inspiration clearly and proudly comes from one of the great grandfathers of iconic Oz cinema in the form of Wake in Fright (eagle eyed viewers will spot that films poster appearing in this film), filmmakers Jack Clark and Jim Weir herald in their directional debuts with the impressive if equally frustrating experience that is Birdeater.

Celebrating successful festival runs over the last 12 months and launching recently into select Australian cinemas, Birdeater embraces its "feral" moniker in parts as a planned to be quiet bachelor/bucks party weekend goes off the rails when past and present trauma between soon to be married couple Louie and Irene comes to the surface in a stereotypically boys only environment that has on this occasion become something else.

Building its early foundation with a great set-up, with Clark and Weir beginning their debut affair with some fantastic mood setting courtesy of memorable work by DOP Roger Stonehouse and some hugely atmospheric score work by composer Andreas Dominguez, Birdeater really races out of the blocks with a narrative loaded with potential but sadly the narrative juice at the core of this exploration of toxic relationships, mental health, male fragility and psychological warfare runs out of steam well before the half-way mark, a huge problem for this two hour exercise that is unable to sustain its early momentum.

There's still a lot to like here and it's not hard to see why the film became an audience favourite with attendees at festivals such as SXSW Austin, the Melbourne International Film Festival and the Sydney Film Festival as Birdeater is unafraid to tackle some fairly weighty (if perhaps overly used themes in Australian products) and the performances and filmmaking craft on display here are undeniably above average for a low-budget independent film made on Australian shores.

Getting a lot to work with in a feature that prioritizes dialogue above all else, all cast members of Weir and Clark's darkly comedic dramatic thriller acquit themselves well with leads Mackenzie Fearnley and Shabana Azeez in particular standing out with some well-rounded performances while Ben Hunter as wildcard and the slightly unhinged Dylan making a mark as a character that you're never sure of motivational wise or ability wise.

Standing out from a crowded marketplace filled with similarly aimed independent offerings that often struggle to find notice in Australia's not always welcoming local marketplace, Birdeater can be commended in a multitude of ways but there's no escaping that there's a noticeable inability to maximise what could've been as this initially gripping feature gives way to one you will be anticipating finishing more than once throughout.

Final Say -

There's a lot to like about Birdeater and there's evidence on display here that Jack Clark and Jim Weir have what it takes to make a mark locally and abroad but after a bright starting point, their film becomes more of what could have been not a contender, disappointingly failing to become a must-see it at times showcases to be.

3 dinner toasts out of 5

Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)

I don't know what that was all about.

I normally can point a few good things out but this time can't. I even read the other comments to understand this movie but that was in vain I'm sure anyone rating it higher than a 4 worked on the film.

I wasn't behind the scenes, I wasn't writing it nor directing. But you would think at the first audition or table read that someone did not put their hand up and say " I don't get"?

Some directors, writers just can't seem to make a decent enjoyable movie without it being overly over the top "complicated."

It might have worked worked as a short movie rather than 1 hour and 55 minutes.

What happened to the characters? Why was that woman dancing in nude. How about that ending ( scratches head).?

I read it was their first time directing or writing but you're only as good as your last film. I hope they getter better for a mainstream audience. However this TEAM has the skills and tools to do a better film. The actors I hope to see more off.

All the best on your next project.( make sure your audience can understand what's coming from your mind to script.