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The Proposition

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The Proposition

R

2005

1h 44m

Drama

Action

Western

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

130 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In 1880s Australia, a lawman (Ray Winstone) offers renegade Charlie Burns (Guy Pearce) a difficult choice. In order to save his younger brother from the gallows, Charlie must hunt down and kill his older brother (Danny Huston), who is wanted for rape and murder. Venturing into one of the Outback's most inhospitable regions, Charlie faces a terrible moral dilemma that can end only in violence.

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Critics Consensus

Brutal, unflinching, and violent, but thought-provoking and with excellent performances, this Australian western is the one of the best examples of the genre to come along in recent times.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Directed by John Hillcoat, this Aussie feature perfectly re-creates the charbroiled landscapes and cruel psychodrama of the old Sergio Leone westerns...

Jul 14, 2022

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Brian Tallerico

UGO

Any movie that can cling to your memory with as much brutal power as this fantastic film is unquestionably a proposition worth taking.

Mar 24, 2007

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Ben Walters

Time Out

A beautifully shot tracker's western that brings the Fordian poles of garden and desert to bear on the bushrangers' Outback, this is also a revenge drama of substantial horror.

Jun 24, 2006

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Evan Dossey

Midwest Film Journal

There’s only a shred of hope in The Proposition, and it almost comes too late, in too small a quantity. But it doesn’t feel, to me, like an exercise in misery. There is more on its mind.

May 19, 2025

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The Proposition brings to mind Australia’s Outback flicks from the 1970s, mood pieces in which philosophical renegades seek to come to terms with their own restless souls while navigating merciless and uncompromising territories.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 5, 2025

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Alistair Lawrence

Common Sense Media

The movie's sunburned and anarchic setting creates a memorable atmosphere that sticks to the screen as much as it does its leads' matted hair and filthy clothes.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 11, 2023

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Gnoll R

It was pretty slow. On top of that I basically figured out the ending in the first few minutes. Finally, it was one of those movies where they seemed to add elements just to make it offbeat. The score was strange and there were various odd things sprinkled in that didn’t really advance the story at all and just seemed out of place.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

04/14/25

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John M

Extremely long scenes with nothing happening, just a slow pan and depressing music. Unwatchable, after 40min I had to stop watching.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/02/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Brutal and beautiful. The savagery of 19th century Australian outback is captured in this gritty and original western masterpiece.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/09/25

Full Review

Oaklee D

When I found out that Nick Cave wrote this film I knew I just had to see it, more out of curiosity than anything. I finally got to sit down and watch the movie and oh boy it did not disappoint. This western from Australia was gripping from beginning to end. The cast were all amazing and that ending left me saying wow. If you haven't seen the film than you should definitely do so. It is very much worth watching it at least once.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/10/25

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Jeremy A

I tried. It was way too boring.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/04/24

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mark g

Tough review. Acting is top-notch. Cinematography is incredible. The story keeps you glued to the screen. So what's the problem? Jesus! The most unenjoyable movie ever made. Just darkness, so bleak. In the end, regardless of the skill involved in the production, you have to be able to enjoy a film a bit to recommend. Otherwise it's just probing an open wound.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/12/24

Full Review

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John Hillcoat

Director

Guy Pearce

Charlie Burns

Ray Winstone

Capt. Stanley

Emily Watson

Martha Stanley

Danny Huston

Arthur Burns

John Hurt

Jellon Lamb

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Trailer Bulletin: The Proposition

Interview: Guy Pearce and John Hillcoat

Guy Pearce and John Hillcoat Discuss "The Proposition"

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Synopsis

In 1880s Australia, a lawman (Ray Winstone) offers renegade Charlie Burns (Guy Pearce) a difficult choice. In order to save his younger brother from the gallows, Charlie must hunt down and kill his older brother (Danny Huston), who is wanted for rape and murder. Venturing into one of the Outback's most inhospitable regions, Charlie faces a terrible moral dilemma that can end only in violence.

Director: John Hillcoat
Producer: Chris Brown, Cat Villiers, Chiara Menage, Jackie O'Sullivan
Screenwriter: Nick Cave
Production Co: Autonomouse, Surefire Films LLC, Jackie O Productions
Rating: R (Strong Grisly Violence|Language)
Genre: Drama, Action, Western
Original Language: English
Rerelease Date (Theaters): May 5, 2006
Release Date (Streaming): May 23, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.9M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Dolby

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