The Rover

R

Released Jun 20, 2014

1 hr. 42 min.

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

List

68%

173 Reviews

Tomatometer

52%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In the near future, mankind's greed and excesses have pushed civilization to the breaking point. Society is in decline, and the rule of law has disintegrated. Hardened drifter Eric (Guy Pearce) wanders across this dangerous and desolate landscape. When thieves steal Eric's car -- and only remaining possession -- they leave behind Rey (Robert Pattinson), a wounded comrade. Eric forces Rey to help him hunt down the gang in an unrelenting quest to take back the one thing that matters to him.

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Critics Consensus

Fueled by engaging performances from Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson, the tension-filled The Rover overcomes its narrative faults through sheer watchability.

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Jessica M

It was a really good movie that keeps your attention throughout. The post apocalyptic setting just adds to the storyline.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/28/23

Full Review

Alec B

Yeah its unforgivingly bleak, but it's also highly derivative of much better post-apocalyptic films.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/10/23

Full Review

Stoner J

NEVER (almost) seen a movie so ridiculous in my life! Nothing makes sense, practically zero dialogue, no story WHATSOEVER as it's just about 5 bumbling drifters with no plan or purpose and in the end… NO POINT PR CONCLUSION. Well, I guys there'd had to be some story to have concision and this on had NOTHING. I'd much rather watch a McDonald's commercial, at least I'd get a reaction!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/23/23

Full Review

Gareth v

What makes this dystopian movie work despite it's flaws are the performances of Pearce & Pattinson.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/25/23

Full Review

Nichols J

The actors are brilliant. But, it feels like an unintentional comedy even though it tries so hard to be gritty and dark. The whole story seems like it's pointless, but at the same time you slowly realize the only point is one deranged character's revenge motive. I guess so he gets to feel like there's a tiny shred of justice in a messed up world? It's definitely watching in my opinion, if you enjoy character driven cinema.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/15/23

Full Review

Green C

Grim tale in the grim Australian Outback. It should have higher ratings in my opinion.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/01/23

Full Review

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David Michôd

Director

Guy Pearce

Eric

Robert Pattinson

Rey

Scoot McNairy

Henry

David Field

Archie

Anthony Hayes

Soldier 1

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Chris Nashawaty

Entertainment Weekly

Bleak, brutal, and ultimately pointless, the film stars Guy Pearce as a man whose car is stolen and who won't rest until he not only gets it back but also punishes, with extreme prejudice, the dirtbags who took it.

Rated: C-

Dec 3, 2014

Full Review

Ryan Gilbey

New Statesman

The Rover equals only sporadically the fraught tension of Michôd's debut, Animal Kingdom (2010), but its horrors feel baked-in and genetic.

Aug 21, 2014

Full Review

Donald Clarke

Irish Times

That final surprising coda (it surprised this reviewer, anyway) goes some way towards making sense of the whole mad enterprise.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 16, 2014

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…with two immersive lead performances, a desolate atmosphere and some gasp-inducing bursts of in-your-face action, The Rover is a thought-provoking minor slice of sci-fi, all the better for keeping the stakes small…

Rated: 3/5

Oct 11, 2023

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

It’s a grubby, callous, and ferocious film that takes what looks like limitations and uses them as great strengths.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 25, 2022

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Refreshingly shot on film by cinematographer Natasha Braier, The Rover's presentation looks gorgeous and trance-like in its long, measured shots of dilapidated towns, purple-hued skies at dusk, and barren countryside.

Rated: 4/4

Aug 5, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

In the near future, mankind's greed and excesses have pushed civilization to the breaking point. Society is in decline, and the rule of law has disintegrated. Hardened drifter Eric (Guy Pearce) wanders across this dangerous and desolate landscape. When thieves steal Eric's car -- and only remaining possession -- they leave behind Rey (Robert Pattinson), a wounded comrade. Eric forces Rey to help him hunt down the gang in an unrelenting quest to take back the one thing that matters to him.

Director: David Michôd
Executive Producer: Tory Metzger, Adam Rymer, Vincent Sheehan, Anita Sheehan, Nina Stevenson, Glen Basner, Alison Cohen
Screenwriter: David Michôd
Distributor: A24
Production Co: Porchlight Films, Lava Bear Films
Rating: R (Some Bloody Violence|Language)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 20, 2014, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 23, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.1M
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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