Snowtown Murders (2011)
AKA: Snowtown
Directed by: Justin Kurzel
Starring: Lucas Pittaway (Jamie Vlassakis), Daniel Henshall (John Bunting), Louise Harris (Elizabeth Harvey), Aaron Viergever (Robert Wagner), David Walker (Mark Haydon)
Country: Australia
Language: English (Eng Subs)
Runtime: 02:00:03
Genres: Based on a True Story, Serial Killers, Old-Young Themed, Siblings-Family, Incest, Rape-Sexual-Violence against Men, Violence Against-Animals, Revenge, Torture
Plot – Spoilers:
This is based on the Snowtown Murders that occurred in the ’90s.
Jamie lives in squalor with his mother and several brothers in an Australian suburb. His father and half-brother occasionally drop by, and unintentionally remind Jamie of the hopelessness of his own future. But his future is the least of Jamie’s immediate concerns. His mother’s poor choice of boyfriends leaves him and his younger brothers open to abuse, and he’s also got a nasty older brother at home.
Into their world walks in John, who seems worldly-wise and immediately takes on the protector role. John is aggressive while being protective, but he also breathes life into their world. The kids now eat regular meals, and his culinary skills are among the many things he seems smug about.
As the months roll by, Jamie is drawn further into John’s world which is mostly that of a pedo-hunter – for this, they rely on a crossdressing pedo who rats out other pedophiles.
Random Thoughts – Massive Spoilers:
The real John Bunting was abused as a child, but his actions later on in life seem calculated. Him targeting pedos seems like serial killers who went after prostitutes – a convenient way to get kills in, while minimizing interest from the law.
Jamie’s actions too leave you confused – for all the abuse and desensitization – can you fully sympathize with him?