Federal agent returns to his hometown for a funeral and uncovers dark secrets tied to his past and his friend’s tragic death. A film by Robert Connolly, starring Eric Bana, Genevieve O’Reilly, Keir O’Donnell, and John Polson.
The DRY
Robert Connolly
(2021)
Australian federal agent Aaron Falk (Eric Bana) returns to his hometown of Kiewarra to attend the funeral of his childhood friend, Luke Hadler (Martin Dingle Wall). The local community believes that Luke brutally murdered his wife Karen (Rosanna Lockhart) and young son Billy (Jarvis Mitchell) before taking his own life in a tragic murder-suicide.
Kiewarra is a fictional town featured prominently in Jane Harper’s novel THE DRY. It is depicted as a drought-stricken community located in regional Victoria, Australia, approximately five hours from Melbourne.
However, Luke’s parents, Gerry (Bruce Spence) and Barb (Julia Blake), refuse to believe their son could commit such an act. They implore Aaron, Luke’s childhood friend, to investigate the true circumstances of the tragedy. To persuade the reluctant Aaron to take on this task, they leverage his connection to an unsolved case from 20 years ago — an incident that forced Aaron to leave Kiewarra in the first place.
Memories of the past flood Aaron’s mind, taking him back to his teenage years. He recalls his tight-knit group of friends: Aaron (Joe Klocek), Gretchen (Claude Scott-Mitchell), Luke (Sam Corlett), and Ellie (BeBe Bettencourt). These recollections are inevitably tied to the unsolved murder of Ellie — a case that has long haunted the town. Despite the lack of concrete evidence or witnesses, many locals remain convinced that Aaron and Luke were somehow involved in, or even responsible for, Ellie’s death.
Deep down, Aaron remains haunted by the events of that fateful night. He vividly remembers Luke sneaking into his room, desperately asking Aaron to provide an alibi for him. Out of loyalty to his friend, Aaron insisted to the authorities that he and Luke had been fishing together, far from the creek where the incident occurred. However, when the police investigation failed to identify a culprit, the townspeople’s suspicions fell squarely on Aaron and Luke. The mounting pressure and hostility from the community eventually forced Aaron’s father Erik (Jeremy Lindsay Taylor) to make the difficult decision to move his family away from Kiewarra 20 years ago.
Reluctantly returning to the town he’d sworn never to revisit, Aaron finds an unexpected ally in Greg Raco (Keir O’Donnell), the local police sergeant. Together, they delve into the truth surrounding Luke’s case. However, Aaron’s investigation is far from simple. He must navigate through a community still harboring suspicions about his involvement in the tragedy from 20 years ago. The townspeople’s mistrust is palpable, with Grant (Matt Nable), Ellie’s younger brother, being particularly hostile towards Aaron’s presence.
As Aaron digs deeper into his investigation, he uncovers a web of town secrets and a list of suspects with compelling motives. His return to Kiewarra doesn’t just shed light on Luke’s case; it also unexpectedly leads him to confront the truth behind the unsolved murder from 20 years ago. The two cases begin to intertwine, revealing that the past and present are more connected than anyone could have imagined.
Written and directed by Australian filmmaker Robert Connolly, The DRY is a compelling mystery drama adapted from Jane Harper’s bestselling 2016 debut novel. The film features a nuanced and atmospheric thriller element.
Jane Harper’s The DRY has garnered significant popularity since its release in 2016. It is celebrated as a compelling debut novel and has achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. The novel has won multiple prestigious awards, including the Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) Book of the Year and the CWA Gold Dagger Award for Best Crime Novel. The novel’s atmospheric writing and intricate plotting have been praised, with critics highlighting its vivid portrayal of the Australian landscape and its exploration of themes such as isolation and community secrets. As of January 2021, The DRY has sold over 1 million copies worldwide. This figure reflects its strong commercial success and popularity among readers, contributing to its status as a bestselling novel in both Australia and internationally.
The narrative intricately weaves together two timelines: a present-day murder investigation and a decades-old mystery that continues to haunt the protagonist, Federal Agent Aaron Falk. Connolly’s deft handling of these parallel storylines creates ambiguity around Falk’s character, leaving the audience to question whether he is more than just an investigator.
Connolly employs a sophisticated narrative structure, utilizing multiple flashback sequences to gradually unveil the truth. This technique not only builds suspense but also adds layers of complexity to the protagonist’s character, casting an ever-growing shadow of suspicion over him.
While the use of flashbacks in cinema can sometimes feel contrived or unnecessary, Connolly’s application is both judicious and effective. Each glimpse into the past serves a dual purpose: it advances the plot while simultaneously heightening the stakes and increasing the tension.
The film’s visual aesthetic mirrors the parched landscape of its rural Australian setting, with cinematographer Stefan Duscio capturing the stark beauty and underlying menace of the drought-stricken community. This visual approach not only sets the tone but also serves as a metaphor for the secrets and lies that have long lain dormant, now surfacing as the land and its people grow increasingly desperate.
The DRY stands out in the crowded field of literary adaptations and crime dramas by offering more than just a whodunit. It delves deep into themes of homecoming, the weight of the past, and the complex relationships that bind small communities together.
The DRY was originally scheduled for release on 27 August 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It eventually made its theatrical release in Australia and New Zealand on 1 January 2021, distributed by Roadshow Films. The film later released theatrically in the United States on 21 May, by IFC Films, with a simultaneous release in theaters and on video-on-demand platforms.
