Bruno Lawrence was originally cast as Errol the nurse, but during shooting he was hospitalized due to severe chest pains and was subsequently diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. As a result, the role of Errol was recast, with Colin Friels taking over. Lawrence died during post-production on this film, which is dedicated to his memory.
The film is adapted from the play "Cosi" by Louis Nowra, which had its first production in 1992 at Sydney's Belvoir St Theatre. Ben Mendelsohn, Barry Otto, and David Wenham reprised their roles from the original stage production for the film.
Jacki Weaver plays a character in love with Ben Mendelsohn in this movie. She would later go on to play his mother in Animal Kingdom (2010).
This is Ben Mendelsohn and Toni Collette's second film together playing love interests. They previously starred together in Spotswood (1991).