watch later

Not interested / seen

The Nightingale (2018)The Nightingale (2018)

The Nightingale (2018)

An unsettling but important social horror from the director of The Babadook

Adventure, Drama, History, Thriller

7.1

movie

Australia
English, Irish, Palawa kani
Challenging, Dark, Depressing
2018
Female director, Jennifer Kent
Aisling Franciosi, Anthony Phelan, Baykali Ganambarr
136 min

Synopsis

rotten tomatoes
imdb
wikipedia
In 1825, Clare, a 21-year-old Irish convict, chases a British soldier through the rugged Tasmanian wilderness, bent on revenge for a terrible act of violence he committed against her family. She enlists the services of an Aboriginal tracker who is also marked by trauma from his own violence-filled past.

Our Take

7.1
The Staff

From The Babadook director Jennifer Kent comes another horror, although this one is more about the horrors of humanity. Set in 1825 Tasmania, The Nightingale follows Irish settler Clare as she seeks bloody revenge on the monsters who wronged her and her family. She teams up with an Aboriginal guide named Billy to accomplish her goal.

Because of its often violent and disturbing tone (the film is rated R for its potentially triggering scenes), The Nightingale understandably polarized audiences upon its release. But it’s also an excellent conversation piece, best watched with friends or anyone up for a discussion-filled movie night.

Comments

What did you think? Who should watch it?

Next up

Sanctuary (2023)

best

8.4

An ingenious blend of erotic thriller and dark comedy with a once-in-a-lifetime performance by Margaret Qualley

Cette Maison (2022)

best

8.4

A heartbreaking but transcendent dramatic exercise that uses imagination to reckon with a devastating loss

Polite Society (2023)

best

8.6

This riotous mishmash of influences still feels utterly original thanks to some ingenious writing and a whirlwind central performance

The Stroll (2023)

best

8.5

The often neglected but deeply necessary story of trans sex workers, finally told in their own voice

Godland (2022)

best

8.3

A grand, terrific beauty of a film

There Is No Evil (2020)

best

8.4

Director Mohammad Rasoulof questions the morality of the death penalty in Iran

Le Havre (2011)

best

8.3

A heartwarming, light story of compassion and community

Papicha (2019)

best

8.3

With fashion as their defiance, Papicha boldly unveils the resilience of women against the backdrop of an oppressive society

Be Water (2020)

7.6

A sports documentary about the iconic martial artist, that feels more like a guide to living

Ordinary People (2016)

best

8.2

A devastating look at poverty through the eyes of teenagers forced to protect themselves