Metascore

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 86 Ratings

  • Starring: Guy Pearce, James Frecheville, Joel Edgerton
  • Summary: Tells the story of seventeen year-old J (Josh) as he navigates his survival amongst an explosive criminal family and the detective who thinks he can save him.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 33
  2. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. It's a remarkable film: A gritty, gut-churning, crime thriller based on a true story. Its greatness lies in its unwavering fidelity to human nature and the unstoppable laws of the wild.
  2. 100
    It's a distinctive, ominous and hypnotic work of cinema.
  3. Reviewed by: Damon Wise
    Feb 21, 2011
    80
    A dark rites-of-passage story meets lethal Shakespearean drama, with low-key performances that artfully get under the skin.
  4. Michôd wants a Greek epic but doesn't have the material. Animal Kingdom is a work of obvious ambition, and seeing a debut filmmaker swing for the fences like this is its own kind of moviehead satisfaction.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 27
  2. Negative: 1 out of 27
  1. This little Australian movie is a class above every other film I have seen this year...'and yes, that does include the much over-hyped Inception'! With its tiny budget and mostly unknown cast, it does what few movies can, it presents a completely realsitic crime world and a family lost and swimming deep in its depths. The acting is amazing and the tension created through the interactions of this 'family' is nail bitingly tense at the best of times. Its the first movie in ages that I inhaled as it started and exhaled as the credits rolled...ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! Expand
  2. 8
    Gritty contemporary crime drama directed with plenty of twists and turns, many of which are physically startling. A modern day greek tragedy full of great performances, especially from Jacki Weaver. Expand
  3. Has moments of greatness, despite a weak premise and some boring stretches. The performances are also excellent, especially from Jacki Weaver as the mother. Expand
  4. I must be in the minority here but this dark family crime drama didn't do it for me at all.I thought it was slow and tediously annoying.The lead character Josh played by James Frenchville I didn't think the kid could act.It seemed he didn't have much to say or any emotion when he said anything.I saw where somebody had said that this was the Australian version of The Town and I couldn't disagree stronger with that.The Town is way better in every respect.I found myself looking at the clock wondering when this thing is going to be over.I can't recommend this one though it seems just about everybody else loved it..4/10. Expand

See all 27 User Reviews

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