The Nightingale

Macrobetix – ”A highly emotive, violent and harrowing period drama about a women’s revenge after the murder of her infant and husband.

Jennifer Kent is an exceptional director which is evident not only in this film, but also in her physiological horror ‘The Babadook’. The way she portrays extreme emotion and crisis translates so vividly. You truly feel engaged with the characters in her films and the ordeals they are going through and that is certainly apparent in ‘The Nightingale’. With incredible performances from Aisling Franciosi, Baykali Ganambarr & Sam Claflin.

Set in 1825 during the Black Wars in Van Diemen’s Land, in which Kent pulls no punches showing us the realities of the period. Portraying the utterly inhumane and savage treatment of both Black and Irish people from the Colonial Forces. Franciosi is held prisoner with her family under Lieutenant Hawkins. After serving her time Hawkins refuses the families release and things escalate with the brutal murder of Franciosi’s family. After being refused a higher ranking post Lieutenant Hawkins sets off to attempt to regain his position. Franciosi in a state of grief sets off to get revenge on Hawkins and his men. She takes Baykali Ganambarr with her as a guide and over time the two form a bond through the hatred of the Colonial Forces until they have their revenge.

A truly gripping watch but most certainly not for the faint hearted.”