One Eyed Girl

I have to agree with one of the other reviewers that there isn't much, if anything, to recommend this by-the-books cult drama.

We have a chemically-dependent, terminally depressed young shrink (played convincingly enough by Mark Leonard Winter) whose young patient's suicide drives him over the edge, leading him into a cult-like EST-ish back-to-nature group led by Father Jay (Steve le Marquand).

Father Jay's group is all about getting "clear" (sound familiar?) and uses various punishing physical and mental techniques to supposedly "heal the soul".

So... is there anything you've heard so far that leads you to believe this is unlike any other cult you've heard about before?

Nope, didn't think so. And there isn't. I guess this might be shocking material for those who've never heard of brainwashing or even Charlie Manson, but it's snooze-inducing for those of us who have.

It's a pity because this isn't a poorly made film. The acting is decent. It just revolves around a non-story that's ordinary and non-compelling, to be kind. It's only 103 minutes, but it feels like a century. What a complete waste of everyone's time, including ours.

A quietly powerful and deeply unsettling psychological thriller that explores the fragile human condition through the lens of grief, trauma, and the need for belonging. Directed by Nick Remy Matthews and co-written with Craig Behenna, the film blends emotional depth with a chilling sense of suspense, resulting in a story that lingers in the mind long after it ends.

The story follows Travis, a young psychiatrist battling intense guilt and depression after the death of a patient. Burnt out and emotionally detached from the world, he encounters Grace, a mysterious young woman who introduces him to a secluded cult led by a charismatic and deeply manipulative leader, Father Jay. What follows is a tense and atmospheric descent into a world that promises healing but hides something much darker.

The film's strength lies in its ability to slowly peel back layers of both character and narrative. Rather than relying on jump scares or flashy twists, One Eyed Girl focuses on psychological tension and the slow unraveling of its characters' mental states. It asks hard questions about vulnerability, control, and what people are willing to believe in when they're at their lowest.

I saw this movie last year at the ECU film festival in Paris and still to this day, I think about it often. I am not familiar with Australian movies but I am so grateful the organizers of the festival have selected this movie. The concept of healing the soul was really disturbing to me and very powerful. It made me change the way I view negative past experience. The idea I had of Australia was beaches, surf and ice cream but the decor is more like a Scandinavian thriller movie. The music has great beauty and makes the movie really haunting. This is a deep analysis of a man's life into the darkest places in his head. The cast was really well chosen and their performances shows so much courage and intelligence. This is the first movie for this director and I am impatient to see more of his work.

I'm still sitting with everything it made me feel. It's one of those slow-burning, unsettling films that doesn't go where you think it will in a good way.

The movie follows this guy, Travis, a psychiatrist who's clearly dealing with some serious internal turmoil. He's depressed, kind of numb to the world, and not really coping with the weight of his work or personal life. Then he meets Grace this quiet, strange young woman and through her, ends up in a secluded cult-like community led by a guy named Father Jay.

At first, it seems like they might be helping him. The place is remote, strict, almost military-like, but there's a sense of belonging there that Travis is drawn to. That's where the movie gets really interesting it starts challenging you to think about what people are willing to believe in when they're desperate for purpose or healing.

The performances are what really make this film stick. Mark Leonard Winter, who plays Travis, does a brilliant job of showing someone completely unraveling, while still trying to hold it together. Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Grace is just... haunting. There's so much pain behind her eyes, but she also carries this strange sense of calm that keeps you guessing. And Steve Le Marquand as Father Jay terrifyingly charismatic. You can see exactly why people would follow him, even when things start to feel off.

It's not a flashy film it's quiet, tense, and moody. A lot of grey tones, empty spaces, minimal soundtrack. It builds atmosphere more than action, but that worked for me. It felt real, raw, and honestly a bit uncomfortable at times which I think was the point.

One Eyed Girl is not an easy film to watch. It is heavy, uncomfortable, and at times distressingly real in its portrayal of trauma and emotional manipulation. But it is also a film of great sensitivity, psychological depth, and moral complexity. It asks hard questions about mental health, belief systems, and the longing for redemption in a fractured world.

While it won't appeal to audiences looking for action or traditional horror, those interested in psychological character studies and understated cult dramas will find a lot to appreciate. It's a film that lingers long after the credits roll, not because of any shocking twist, but because it dares to sit in the quiet, painful spaces most stories avoid.