Downriver

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Downriver

2015

1h 39m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

11 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Although a young man is accused of drowning a little boy and is placed in juvenile detention, he has little memory of the event. Now, out on parole, he searches for answers that may give a grieving mother closure.

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Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

"Downriver" is the kind of graceful provocation that slips around a corner before you can pinpoint its intentions, and that keeps it arresting as both an inquiry and a character study.

Aug 11, 2016

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David Stratton

The Australian

Despite creditable performances and handsome production values, the film fails to connect in any meaningful way.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 17, 2016

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Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

It's a story about redemption, manipulation and the darkness at the end of the street.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 17, 2016

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Ben Turner

The Pink Lens

Tense and disquieting, this is not a film to be watched alone.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 2, 2021

Full Review

Andrew F. Peirce

The Curb

Overall, the solid central performances, the great cinematography and solid direction make Downriver a film that succeeds just a bit more than it stumbles. Scicluna is definitely a talent to keep an eye on.

Apr 4, 2020

Full Review

Andiee Paviour

Nobody's Reading This But Me

Ex-con James has been doing time for the drowning of a 10-year-old boy. The body was never recovered, and James, an epileptic, can't recall the details of the crime.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 17, 2019

Full Review

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Ray C

Nuanced performances by perfectly cast actors, narrative sufficiently complicated to move the jumbled story forward. Even though you don't get a denouement neatly tied up at the end, in that the protagonist, as the accused in a child's murder, had been mistakenly charged, the unexplained details nonetheless proved enough to satisfy, making you glad you'd chosen to watch it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/07/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Too bleak to not give a satisfying ending.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/21/18

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Audience Member

Between a 6/10 and 7/10, A haunting mystery-drama, Downriver gradually layers characters and details until we have a better picture -- though never complete -- of what happened and the consequences of an unresolved crime.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Powerful and beautiful Australian film. I loved watching this film. It deals with dark subject matter, in an unflinchingly and empathetic manner.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

'Downriver', is a very purposeful cautionary tale with somewhat bleak outcomes even when it comes to these very type of particular Australian films that explore confronting subject matter such as dark secrets, guilt, atonement and a mystery never wanting to reveal itself. For one the film is incredibly well shot, written and performed throughout, really bringing out the natural sense of the drama. Though when it comes to understanding the main character; James (played by Reef Ireland), whose truly a fascinating character when it comes to the consequences of getting over a past violent deed, there isn't much else given to the development of the supporting characters that don't have much of any redeeming qualities especially when considering the progression of the narrative and consequences of one actions against another. Nonetheless, I found the film to be truly insightful character driven piece, with great performances and underlining mystery that really drives the momentum of the film from the beginning up until the very end. Be cautionary though, don't expect a happy outcome.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

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Grant Scicluna

Director

Reef Ireland

James Levy

Kerry Fox

Paige Levy

Robert Taylor

Wayne

Helen Morse

Mary

Thom Green

Anthony

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Synopsis

Although a young man is accused of drowning a little boy and is placed in juvenile detention, he has little memory of the event. Now, out on parole, he searches for answers that may give a grieving mother closure.

Director: Grant Scicluna
Producer: Jannine Barnes
Screenwriter: Grant Scicluna
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 23, 2016
Runtime: 1h 39m

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