‘Power of Nature’ Sees Unhealthy Climate and Worse Intentions Result in Thriller

One of many many points with Hollywood at present is the choice by studios to focus the majority of their efforts on hopeful blockbusters with bloated budgets. The large films aren’t themselves the issue, however as a substitute it’s the shortage of sources leftover to go in the direction of low to mid-range movies. There’s loads to be mentioned on the topic, however we’ll save that for one more time and as a substitute get to the purpose — at present’s low/mid-budget thrillers come nearly solely from outdoors of Hollywood. And infrequently, if not usually, they’re from outdoors the U.S. all collectively. 2021’s The Dry match the invoice precisely as a wise, atmospheric slice of Australian noir delivering a compelling and affecting thriller, and the movie discovered a deserved success with each audiences and critics. Fortunately for these of us who love this type of factor, Power of Nature (unofficially subtitled The Dry 2) as soon as once more brings some intelligently thrilling items from down below.

5 girls, all coworkers, head out on a rural hike as a part of a company retreat, however solely 4 of them return. Alice (Anna Torv) has gone lacking, and the opposite girls are lower than forthcoming in the case of the times and hours main as much as Alice’s disappearance. Every has her personal secrets and techniques and her personal lies, and with the clock ticking and tough climate heading their approach, the possibilities of discovering the lacking lady shortly plummet. Native police and search events are on the hunt, however solely Federal police officer Aaron Falk (Eric Bana) has one more reason for locating her alive — she’s his informant, he was urgent her onerous for proof in opposition to her bosses, and he’s nonetheless haunted by his personal mom’s disappearance in these woods when he was only a baby. Oh, and there’s additionally a serial killer’s cabin close by?

Power of Nature, as soon as once more based mostly on a novel by Jane Harper, is a follow-up to The Dry, however you’d be hard-pressed to name it a direct sequel. It’s as a substitute extra in step with different thriller franchises like Rian Johnson’s Knives Out movies or Kenneth Branagh’s Agatha Christie options. Falk is the one returning character, and there aren’t any connections to the previous story, however we do get thematic throughlines with a lead protagonist whose current day conflicts appear to all the time dovetail with tragedies and traumas from his previous. The self-esteem works fantastically in The Dry, additionally directed by Robert Connelly, and whereas it doesn’t come collectively practically as properly right here, there’s nonetheless a lot to get pleasure from because the thriller unfolds with Bana’s haunted investigator peeling again the layers.

As with these aforementioned mysteries, Falk is the centerpiece of an ensemble, and whereas the whole forged does good work right here, it’s Bana who holds our consideration and curiosity the strongest. The actor might be greatest identified for enjoying powerful guys (Chopper, 2000; Black Hawk Down, 2001; Troy, 2004), however he’s fairly good at taking part in extra soulful, emotionally fraught characters too. Like The Dry, this movie cuts away from the current to supply glimpses into Falk’s previous as a approach of explaining the compassionate and troubled man he’s at present. Previous pains grow to be seen on Bana’s face whereas loss, guilt, and grief puddle in his eyes. His feelings grow to be are personal, and that goes a great distance in the direction of our personal want for a cheerful decision to the case at hand.

The script, written by Connelly, weaves Falk’s story into the nesting doll thriller earlier than him, and every new reveal solutions a query whereas leaving Falk and viewers with nonetheless extra. Power of Nature does job with its 4 characters who exit the woods as every gives differing particulars, and when pressed or challenged, every reveals new truths. They breath lies like oxygen, lies to one another and infrequently themselves, lies that stem from private wants and grievances, lies which will or might not be linked to Alice’s disappearance. It’s constructed properly, and all 5 girls (together with Deborra-Lee Furness, Robin McLeavy, Sisi Stringer, and Lucy Ansell) give sturdy performances, however neither of the intertwined threads manages to be extra than simply compelling sufficient.

Of the 2, it’s the flashbacks that land the weakest as Falk’s childhood brush with disappearance and loss of life lacks an emotional grip. The drama of the scenario is obvious — his mom goes lacking whereas out mountaineering with younger Aaron and his father — nevertheless it simply can’t discover a actually dramatic or suspenseful footing all through to its underwhelming decision. The current day thriller fares higher, to the purpose that you just want the movie had targeted on it solely, as the person deceptions discover intrigue and drama. Falk’s guilt over probably having pushed Alice too far and too near hazard turns into the beating coronary heart right here, and it affords the movie its solely actual emotional weight.

The place The Dry drops viewers right into a shiny and dusty outback, Power of Nature finds its story throughout the lush greens of a dense forest, and it’s a panorama steadily drenched in rain. It’s a one-eighty on the environmental entrance, however cinematographer Andrew Commis (who additionally shot Connelly’s 2022 drama, Blueback, which additionally stars Bana) ensures that we really feel the treacherous dampness throughout. The environment look as attractive as they do threatening, and that’s no small feat. Right here’s hoping Connelly and Bana reunite as soon as extra to adapt Harper’s third and reportedly closing Aaron Falk novel, Exiles, as it will likely be a pleasant change of tempo to see Falk fixing a thriller within the pleasantly fragrant environment of Australia’s wine nation.

Followers of The Dry ought to positively give Power of Nature a watch. The narratives could not land as powerfully this time round, however Bana’s sturdy however damaged investigator stays a compelling ethical compass in a world fueled by deceit and deception.

Associated Subjects: Eric Bana, The Dry

Rob Hunter has been writing for Movie Faculty Rejects since earlier than you have been born, which is bizarre seeing as he is so rattling younger. He is our Chief Movie Critic and Affiliate Editor and lists ‘Broadcast Information’ as his favourite movie of all time. Be happy to say hello if you happen to see him on Twitter @FakeRobHunter.