A Surreal Australian Thriller That Punches Above Its Weight: Rabbit (2017)
'Rabbit': A Surreal Australian Thriller That Punches Above Its Weight
"Luke Shanahan's debut is a visually stunning, cerebral puzzle box, slightly hampered by its own ambition." — 4/5 Stars
For those seeking a refreshing, visually arresting, and thought-provoking thriller that isn't afraid to challenge its audience, Rabbit is 100% worth checking out. It’s a testament to the potent and often overlooked creativity flourishing in Australian cinema.
It was a film I had not seen and had forgotten anything I had once known about it—all the better for a clean, unspoiled viewing. What unfolded over the next 103 minutes was a refreshing and haunting surprise: a rare gem from Australia that serves as a potent announcement of a new directorial voice in Luke Shanahan.
The plot follows Maude Ashton (a hauntingly intense Adelaide Clemens), a year after the disappearance of her identical twin. Tormented by visions of her sister's violent abduction, she becomes convinced they are a psychic connection and not mere nightmares. This conviction leads her to a derelict caravan park on the bleak, sun-scorched outskirts of civilization, a setting that becomes a character in its own right.
The film gets going right away, kicking off with a disorienting and intense sequence before you have even fully absorbed the title card. It’s a pattern of relentless, unanswered questions that continues until the final frame, a hallmark of a truly engaging cerebral thriller.
A Visually Assured Debut
I was immediately struck by the incredible cinematography. This is an absolutely beautiful film. At no point would you think Rabbit is Luke Shanahan’s first major motion picture, neither as a writer nor a director. His command of the craft is on full display, painting a version of Australia that is a far cry from the desolate wastelands of Mad Max or the comedic outback of Crocodile Dundee. This is a liminal space of dust, dread, and unsettling silence, beautifully captured and meticulously framed.
The film is anchored by excellent acting. Adelaide Clemens carries the weight of the film with a raw, physical performance, perfectly embodying the grief and obsession that fuels Maude's journey. She is our compelling, if increasingly unreliable, guide through this waking nightmare.
Ambition Versus Execution
However, this hypnotic ride is slightly held back by a script that reaches for a complexity it can't fully realize. Rabbit builds a magnificent house of cards, layering mystery upon mystery with a masterful control of atmosphere. Yet, its one significant issue is a plot that becomes fairly confusing, a puzzle that deserved more deliberate unpacking.
"A refreshing break from the endless onslaught of faux-cerebral, focus-grouped surrealist horror that often feigns this level of art and intrigue with ten times the budget."
Instead of delving deeper into its intriguing mythology, the film ties its complex threads up a bit too neatly in an exposition-heavy climax that feels rushed against the deliberate, atmospheric pacing of all that preceded it. It’s a bow that feels a little tight on a box that was bursting with wilder potential.
Yet, even with this narrative stumble, the script remains more inventive and ambitious than ninety percent of the content churned out by major streaming platforms. This was my first experience with an Australian horror-thriller of this caliber, and it was a revelation. It succeeds absolutely in its goal of being a mind-bending thriller, and I was unreservedly along for the ride.
A Promise of Greatness to Come
Overally, Rabbit is an excellently shot, well-acted surrealist thriller that everyone involved with should be proud of. More than just a great first offering, it is a promise of greater things to come. Luke Shanahan has demonstrated a visual fluency and a command of mood that mark him as a filmmaker to watch closely. I truly expect masterpieces from him in the future, and I will be waiting, eagerly.
For those seeking a refreshing, visually arresting, and thought-provoking thriller that isn't afraid to challenge its audience, Rabbit is 100% worth checking out. It’s a testament to the potent and often overlooked creativity flourishing in Australian cinema.
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