Animal Kingdom

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Animal Kingdom

R

Released Aug 13, 2010

1h 52m

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

94%

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160 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In this gritty Australian crime drama, young Joshua J Cody (James Frecheville) is taken in by his extended family after his mother dies of an overdose. This branch of the Cody clan, overseen by J's scheming grandmother, Janine (Jacki Weaver), is heavily involved in various criminal activities, and they quickly indoctrinate the boy into their way of life. However, J is given an opportunity to take a different route when a cop named Leckie (Guy Pearce) seeks to help him leave the family fold.

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Critics Consensus

With confident pacing, a smart script, and a top-notch cast, Animal Kingdom represents the best the Australian film industry has to offer.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Wild, gritty, and sharp, Animal Kingdom has a ticking bomb for a heartbeat that pulsates through every scene.

Rated: B+

Sep 9, 2017

Full Review

Laura Kern

Film Comment Magazine

Seldom is a debut feature handled with such assurance and intelligence

Nov 13, 2013

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Violet Lucca

Film Comment Magazine

Seldom is a debut feature handled with such assurance and intelligence

Nov 13, 2013

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Animal kingdom is contemporary realism, but Mechod entwines insinuations of a Greek tragedy or Shakespearian drama. [Full review in Spanish]

Aug 8, 2022

Full Review

Jason Adams

My New Plaid Pants

David Michôd for President! In all seriousness, this is a fantastically effective film.

Jul 2, 2021

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Ed Travis

Hollywood Jesus

Animal Kingdom is a slow burning, complex, and sprawling crime epic.

Apr 6, 2020

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Anna C

crap story...put all crap in the movie

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/23/25

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Matthew P

Tense throughout with a feeling of palpable dread, unsentimental and unromantic in a genre that too often idealises felonious heroes, it's one of the best Australian movies ever made. Highly recommended for repeated viewing...

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/23/25

Full Review

Lisa H

This review is for the USA version—— OMG!! I hate that I love this show!!! Have binge watched this show from beginning to Last season. I’m ticked off that it ended. Watched all 6 seasons in 2 weeks. Totally adddicting!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/30/25

Full Review

Dean C

Felt so tense throughout the film. Well executed family crime drama with complex characters.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/12/24

Full Review

Dan K

Ben Mendelssohn's character is an absolute monster about as evil and dark as you can get. Definitely not a feel good film. Some superb acting all round. A very unnerving score adds to the darkness. Definitely worth a watch

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/25/24

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KB B

It was an engaging film with good acting and storyline. It's definitely worth the watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/21/24

Full Review

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David Michôd

Director

Ben Mendelsohn

Andrew 'Pope' Cody

Joel Edgerton

Barry 'Baz' Brown

Guy Pearce

Det. Nathan Leckie

Luke Ford

Darren Cody

Jacki Weaver

Janine 'Smurf' Cody

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Synopsis

In this gritty Australian crime drama, young Joshua J Cody (James Frecheville) is taken in by his extended family after his mother dies of an overdose. This branch of the Cody clan, overseen by J's scheming grandmother, Janine (Jacki Weaver), is heavily involved in various criminal activities, and they quickly indoctrinate the boy into their way of life. However, J is given an opportunity to take a different route when a cop named Leckie (Guy Pearce) seeks to help him leave the family fold.

Director: David Michôd
Producer: Liz Watts
Screenwriter: David Michôd
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Film Victoria, Porchlight Films, Showtime Australia
Rating: R (Pervasive Language|Drug Content|Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 13, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 17, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.0M
Runtime: 1h 52m

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