The Rooster

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The Rooster

2023

1h 41m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

8 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Dan, an introverted police officer in a small country town, begins to unravel after he fails to follow police protocol when dealing with an incident involving his childhood friend Steve. The next day, Steve's body is found in the bush, buried in a shallow grave. Unfit to work and haunted by guilt, Dan spirals. When his pet rooster is killed by a fox, Dan lets go of the fragile tether he has on his sanity and retreats to camp out in the forest where Steve was found. After a chance encounter with an eccentric hermit living amongst the trees, Dan suspects that this man may have been the last person to see Steve alive. As Dan seeks answers, an unusual bond forms between the two men over games of table tennis. But all is not as it seems when Dan discovers that the hermit may have been responsible for a terrible act of violence.

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Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

There are glimmers of filmmaking promise in The Rooster, but it’s overwrought, often clumsy, and only shakily conscious of its absurd side.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 29, 2024

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Stephen Romei

The Australian

This film is an intelligent, thoughtful debut from an actor turned director.

Rated: 3.5/5

Feb 17, 2024

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Luke Buckmaster

Guardian

As a “Hugo Weaving goes feral in the bush” movie, The Rooster delivers. As an exploration of masculinity and a drama about two men connecting, it’s decent but unexceptional.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 9, 2023

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Peter Gray

The AU Review

Navigates its meditation on masculinity with dark humour and uncomfortable fragility

Rated: 3.5/5

May 8, 2024

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David Griffiths

Subculture Entertainment

One of the most important films ever made about men's mental health. An amazing script well delivered by it's two leads who are in career best form. Mark Leonard Winter is a director to watch.

Rated: 5/5

Feb 26, 2024

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Jim Schembri

jimschembri.com

Strong on atmosphere but [the film] suffers from a narrative that places eccentricity over story...Weaving delivers some good moments but the film runs long and the third act is rushed.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 21, 2024

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Mind F

personal opinion - 3 stars ⭐⭐⭐

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/29/25

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Mark Leonard Winter

Director

Phoenix Raei

Dan

Hugo Weaving

The Hermit

John Waters

Norris

Rhys Mitchell

Steve

Robert Menzies

Actor

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Synopsis

Dan, an introverted police officer in a small country town, begins to unravel after he fails to follow police protocol when dealing with an incident involving his childhood friend Steve. The next day, Steve's body is found in the bush, buried in a shallow grave. Unfit to work and haunted by guilt, Dan spirals. When his pet rooster is killed by a fox, Dan lets go of the fragile tether he has on his sanity and retreats to camp out in the forest where Steve was found. After a chance encounter with an eccentric hermit living amongst the trees, Dan suspects that this man may have been the last person to see Steve alive. As Dan seeks answers, an unusual bond forms between the two men over games of table tennis. But all is not as it seems when Dan discovers that the hermit may have been responsible for a terrible act of violence.

Director: Mark Leonard Winter
Producer: Geraldine Hakewill, Mahveen Shahraki.M
Screenwriter: Mark Leonard Winter, Mark Leonard Winter
Production Co: Thousand Mile Production
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 41m

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