Film review: ‘THE STRANGER’ by Nick Gardener from ‘Built For Speed’

Based on Kate Kyriacou’s book, The Sting, which documented the events surrounding the elaborate police operation to capture the man who tragically abducted and murdered Queensland boy Daniel Morecambe, the gripping Australian crime drama The Stranger explores not only the depths of criminal behaviour but also the dark places it takes those who investigate these crimes.  It’s important to note that this is not a direct retelling of events in the Daniel Morecambe case.  The film uses Kate Kyriacou’s book as a starting point for a fictitious drama with characters and events based on those involved in the investigation.

Joel Edgerton plays an undercover WA detective we just know as Mark who is part of a taskforce trying catch Peter Morley aka Henry Teague (Sean Harris) the suspected killer of a young Queensland boy, James Liston. Posing as a soldier in criminal organisation, Mark’s job is to try and convince low level career crim Henry that the gang values him and wants him to move up their ranks.  That way, police posing as gang bosses hope to secure his trust and possibly obtain a confession. As the extremely elaborate operation unfolds, Mark finds himself becoming increasingly disturbed by the reality of the case and the people (not just Henry) with whom he’s dealing. At the same time and to some extent paralleling Mark’s experience, indigenous female, Detective Rylett (Jada Alberts) is also pursuing Henry and constantly finds herself running into obstacles within the police bureaucracy.

With its confronting subject matter, ominous grey look and damaged characters, this is an extremely grim but engrossing film. The Stranger is about as far from fun, escapist cinema as we could find ourselves. It also bears little resemblance to typical Hollywood heroic cop dramas and more closely resembles morose Scandinavian arthouse thrillers.

Because it centres on this strange game of seduction between cop and criminal, a large part of the film focuses on the unusual relationship between Mark and Henry. It’s no coincidence they’re made to look similar with unkempt beards and ponytails. As the case proceeds, Mark’s odd relationship with Henry begins to infect his psyche, invading his dreams and alienating him further from those around him.  It also starts to make him paranoid about the safety of his young son who seems to be Mark’s only connection to the normal world.

Edgerton, who, in films like It Comes at Night, has demonstrated a talent for playing deeply troubled characters, is excellent here. He depicts Mark as a man committed to but almost drained of life by his job. There seems to be almost no joy in his life and even playing with his young son turns into a stressful event.

Sean Harris, who has an extensive film and TV career including a couple of the Mission Impossible films and Prometheus, is superb as Henry. He carefully peels back layers on the character, at first making him seem like an animable, scruffy, down-at-heel guy before exposing an increasingly creepy and threatening side to him. Aided by a powerful score The Stranger is a fascinating but disturbing excursion into the dark side of humanity that will stay with audience members long after they leave the cinema.

Nick’s rating: ****

Genre: Drama/Crime.

Classification: MA15+.

Director(s): Tom Wright.

Release date: 11th Oct 2022.

Running time: 117 mins.

Reviewer: Nick Gardener can be heard on “Built For Speed” every Friday night from 8-10pm on 88.3 Southern FM.

 

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