Animal Kingdom

3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
The story of a teenager as he navigates his survival in the Melbourne underworld amongst an explosive criminal family and the detective who thinks he can save him.
  • Starring: Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton
  • Directed by: David Michod
  • Runtime: 1 hour 54 minutes
  • Release year: 2010
  • Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
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Animal Kingdom

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Product Details
Synopsis: The story of a teenager as he navigates his survival in the Melbourne underworld amongst an explosive criminal family and the detective who thinks he can save him.
Starring: Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton
Supporting actors: Guy Pearce, Luke Ford, Jacki Weaver, Sullivan Stapleton, James Frecheville
Directed by: David Michôd
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Runtime: 1 hour 54 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: English Details
Release year: 2010
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
Studio required notice: Content is protected by U.S. copyright law. Learn more
MPAA Rating: Rated R for violence, drug content and pervasive language
ASIN: B004GGLVAM
Rights & Requirements
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

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Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: August 13, 2010
  • MPAA: Rated R for violence, drug content and pervasive language
  • Production Company: Porchlight Films, Screen Australia, Film Victoria, Screen NSW, Fulcrum Media Finance
  • Filming Locations: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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Customer Reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
(64)
3.9 out of 5 stars
See all 64 customer reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 43 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Well-made, depressing Australian crime drama. September 12, 2010
By Miles D. Moore TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
"Animal Kingdom," David Michod's debut feature, is undeniably well-made and compelling, but it's strictly for people who thought "The Departed" was too optimistic. Seventeen-year-old Joshua Cody (James Frecheville), known as J, never had a chance, as "Animal Kingdom" makes plain from the opening shot. Once J's mother dies of a heroin overdose, he has nowhere to go but the home of his "Grandma Smurf" (Jacki Weaver) and uncles, a violent group of career criminals that makes "White Heat" and "Bloody Mama" look like "Mary Poppins." The Codys live in a seedy section of Melbourne in which police and crooks are essentially competing mobs, sometimes cooperating but more often taking hits out on each other. It's a true jungle, just as merciless as the Serengeti and far more corrupt.

"Animal Kingdom" is essentially the story of how J is sucked inexorably into a life of crime, enhanced by ominous music and portentous slo-mo camera effects. Ben Mendelsohn--playing J's Uncle Andrew, a/k/a The Pope--is absolutely terrifying. So is Weaver as the outwardly cheery but inwardly satanic Grandma Smurf, who will sacrifice anyone and anything to preserve the family business. "Just because you don't want to do something," she remarks at one crucial point, "doesn't mean it can't be done." As for Frecheville, at the beginning he's reminiscent of Forrest Gump if Forrest had been played by the young Rupert Everett. His performance gains in power, however, as his afflictions pile up and his true nature starts to come out.

There are a few things about "Animal Kingdom" that don't fit together; for example, it's a little too convenient that upright Detective Sergeant Leckie (Guy Pearce) should be so ignorant of the corruption in his own police force.... Read more ›
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Survival of the Fittest March 1, 2011
By Grady Harp HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
ANIMAL KINGDOM is tough little film from Australia, well written and directed by David Michôd, and acted by a fine ensemble cast of actors. It is a frightening tale of crime and corruption, of one family of criminal sociopaths both pitted against and partnered by the police in Melbourne, Australia. Though the film wanders times, altering past and present in a manner that proves confusing to the whole, the impact in the end is stunning.

Joshua "J" Cody (James Frecheville) narrates the film and we first meet this young 17-year-old sitting beside his mother who has just died from an overdose of heroin. In a most detached way he calls his maternal grandmother Smurf (Jacki Weaver) and asks if she remembers him: his mother has been estranged from her family for years. Smurf welcomes his call and complies with his desire to move to her home. And what a home she runs! Smurf's sons are sociopathic criminals on the run from the law (but also involved with the law in the illegal sale of drugs with bad cops). The worst offender is Pope (Ben Mendelsohn) who is the brains behind the crimes the family commits: he is also on medication for his mental challenge. The other two brothers are drug-addled Craig (Sullivan Stapleton) and the strange very young Darren (Luke Ford). Pope's best friend in crime is the rather tender Baz (Joel Edgerton) with whom J can relate. J is thus thrust into the family he has not known and becomes reluctantly involved with the criminal shenanigans and killings of Smurf's boys. Smurf has a bizarre relationship with her 'gang' of sons, seemingly kind and protective but with a surprising evil side of her own.... Read more ›
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars They Devour Their Own In This Family! A Psychological Descent Into Criminal Desperation January 31, 2011
By K. Harris HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
A surprisingly understated gem, Australia's "Animal Kingdom" is more adept at showcasing the psychological dissolution of a crime family than being a gung-ho action picture. In his choices, writer/director David Michod has produced a unique film that combines elements of a character study within the structure of a domestic drama. Placing that domestic drama inside a criminal family in flux, in decline and in desperation provides a slow build urgency to the film that causes the suspense to rise exponentially as the film proceeds. Effectively employing a moral ambiguity to his central protagonist, Michod creates a complex family unit that alternately protects its own or, if need be, devours the weakest. I loved the quiet intensity throughout and appreciated the thoughtful characterizations that made the "Animal Kingdom" an effective study of humans pushed to the edge.

The film is centered around James Frecheville, a rather passive seventeen year old that comes to live with his grandmother (Jackie Weaver) when his mother overdoses. Unbeknownst to him, his mother has shielded him from a family that lives outside the limits of the law. Frecheville, however, seems content to play a marginal role within the family enterprise as it garners him acceptance and connectivity. As the police, led by Guy Pearce, start to close in on the various members of the group--a splinter starts to form that will eventually rend everyone apart. The further the film progresses, the larger the body count until everyone left is scrambling in desperation mode for survival. The film is exceedingly well acted. Weaver is cool and cheerful even at her most treacherous.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Totally Unique
It's a good guy, bad family, and a teen hopelessly caught in the middle. What sets this film apart is there isn't an ounce more flash, brutality, twists, bravado, or scheming than... Read more
Published 1 month ago by mr. critic
4.0 out of 5 stars Really good movie about being a crime family
This is a great Australian film about a crime family. What makes it entertaining is that while you might be repulsed by the criminal activities, they are framed by the closeness... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Heidi Mallon
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Movie
These Aussie's can act! Totally real story line. They capture "blue-collar" middle class really well. Obviously there is criminal element to it, but so well done and realistic. Read more
Published 2 months ago by HBFAN
5.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing, thought provoking, surprising
This not your grandpa's crime drama/thriller. Full of action and violence, for me its characters are what sets it apart. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Trevor Henderson
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
Takes a few days to get over. Absorbingly great! Just a flat out , engaging shocker! The characters are totally defined and you actually care.
Published 5 months ago by Wackajuice
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It
You have a pretty good idea of where you are within the first minutes of Animal Kingdom.

The credits appear over images of an armed robbery and the story opens with a... Read more
Published 7 months ago by nigel p bird
4.0 out of 5 stars Animal Kingdom Indeed
This Australian film starts somewhat confusing at first. A lot of names, nicknames and brothers who resemble each other keep popping in and out for the first half hour of the film. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Daniel Gamboa
5.0 out of 5 stars Brutal and Disturbing
One character in particular is really deplorable and the brutality in the movie always sneaks up on you---not knowing who most of the actors are really helps with the shock value... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Timothy McGivney
5.0 out of 5 stars They Devour Their Own In This Family! A Psychological Descent Into...
A surprisingly understated gem, Australia's "Animal Kingdom" is more adept at showcasing the psychological dissolution of a crime family than being a gung-ho action picture. Read more
Published 11 months ago by K. Harris
5.0 out of 5 stars Disintegration of a Crime Family
Every once in a while a film comes along that has the ability to make audiences stand up and take notice. David Michod's Animal Kingdom is just such a film. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Bryan A. Pfleeger
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