Slant

What an amazing movie. It has just the right mix of comedy, drama, gore and heart. The slow reveal of two dysfunctional families colliding and imploding on multiple levels ensures the audience is consistently engaged and slightly off-kilter - making it a real roller coaster of a film.

We attended the Darwin premiere at the Deckchair Cinema and were lucky enough to have a Q&A after the movie with the writer, director, producer & Sigurd Thornton. They shared how collaborating and respecting everyone's ideas made the movie the success that it is.

It is truly impressive what a young independent team of filmmakers can do when they set their minds to it.

There's so much to love here! Firstly the creative team clearly knows their cast strengths and plays I to them delightfully. I could watch Sigrid read dramatic heartfelt monologues for hours on end.

Secondly I was Almost shocked when the movie ended and there were only two songs used apart from the original scores which is such a testament that it never felt stale or lacking (the two songs used were such bops!) Despite a smaller budget movie it never feels like they settled for less in the quality they produced like some low budget films you see littered on streaming platforms. This is a film many different film fans could enjoy.

It has a fun quirky mystery akin to knives out series with a campy horror film vibe and just a touch of touch of family drama just bloody enough yet not so gory that I couldn't easily recommend.

It is clear this was a labour of love and not made merely to make a movie.

Slant (2022) is an underrated gem-a darkly comic neo-noir that thrives on sharp dialogue, witty banter, and a distinctly Australian sensibility. Cleverly written and full of biting humor, the film balances a genuinely intriguing mystery with a satirical take on journalism, media culture, and the self-absorbed world of 1990s Melbourne society.

At its core, Slant follows a journalist investigating the disappearance of a socialite, but the mystery is just the foundation for a much richer experience. The screenplay is fast-paced, clever, and effortlessly funny, filled with intelligent wordplay and sharp social observations. The main actor delivers a performance that is both interesting and intelligent, bringing the lead character to life with a mix of charm, wit, and self-awareness that makes every scene engaging.

What Works:

✔ Exceptional Writing & Dialogue - The script is razor-sharp, packed with brilliant, dry humor, and filled with witty, quickfire exchanges that keep the story moving.

✔ A Unique Blend of Mystery & Comedy - If you enjoy mystery films that don't take themselves too seriously while still delivering intrigue (think The Nice Guys meets Kiss Kiss Bang Bang with an Aussie edge), this is for you.

✔ Engaging, Intelligent Lead Performance - The main actor is captivating, charismatic, and intellectually sharp, carrying the film with ease and keeping the audience invested.

✔ Atmospheric & Stylish - The Melbourne setting is captured in a way that feels both nostalgic and cinematic, adding to the film's offbeat charm.

✔ Unpredictable Storytelling - Keeps you hooked with its mix of quirky character interactions, satire, and genuine suspense.

Minor Drawbacks:

➖ Not a Traditional Noir - If you're expecting a hard-boiled, brooding mystery, Slant is lighter and more self-aware than something like L. A. Confidential.

➖ Humor May Not Work for Everyone - It leans into dry, sarcastic humor, so if that's not your style, some of the dialogue might feel too smug.

Final Verdict:

If you love smartly written, dialogue-driven films with a satirical edge, Slant is a must-watch. It's a rare mix of mystery, humor, and cultural critique that keeps you entertained from start to finish. The lead actor's intriguing, intelligent performance adds an extra layer of depth, making the film as compelling as it is sharp-witted.

Highly recommended for fans of witty neo-noirs, fast-paced dialogue, and genre-bending mysteries.

Never sure what i was watching. A quircky drama comedy suspense even some horror elements. Lady behind us was laughing at a pool of blood. So i guess its a comedy for some. Excellent musical score and performances from some iconic Australian actors and next generation of new talent. If this film doesnt achieve broad main stream release it will be a shame for Australian cinema. If not it should become a cult classic. I expect the discussion moving forward will be the interpretation of the film. In the theatre the audience was involved in an animated discussion on different theories on potential guilty parties. Definite potential for a sequel as there is scope to explore multiple plots in the future.

This is a dark comedy that is quite original and unique.

The story is a little off kilter and hard to follow due to it being too complex, erratic, and convoluted.

But there is hope for this, it has a brilliant cast of great actors especially Sigrid Thornton who is a force in this film with a great ensemble witty cast like Pia Miranda. There are brilliant locations, production design, grading, hair and makeup (except the fake beard at the end) and really good music score.

This film is very ambitious with some great dialogue, and many genres in a mixed bag, drama, comedy, murder-mystery-esque film.

If you want something different to watch - Check this out I feel this will possibly be nominated or sweep the AACTA AWARDS - You heard it here first - 15th October 2023.

Overall great execution of a so-so storyline and great overall direction.