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James Frecheville, Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton, Guy Pearce, Luke Ford ... see more see more... , Jacki Weaver , Sullivan Stapleton , Daniel Wyllie , Anthony Hayes , Laura Wheelwright , Mirrah Foulkes , Justin Rosniak , Susan Prior , Clayton Jacobson , Anna Lise Phillips , Tim Phillipps , Josh Helman , Kieran Darcy-Smith , Jack Heanly , Andy McPhee , Christina Azucena , Jacquie Brennan , Ben Ouwehand , Anthony Ahern , Bryce Lindemann , Paul Smits , Michael Vice , Chris Weir , Sarah Nguyen , Lucia Cai , Ann Michôd , Michael Cody , Bert Labonte , Paul James Saunders , Dom Phelan , Brenda Palmer , Tom Noble , Daniel Roche , David Michôd

A youngster is given an inside look at a criminal empire that also happens to be his family in this independent drama. Teenage Joshua Cody (James Frecheville) is suddenly on his own after his mother's... read more read more... drug habit catches up with her, and he's taken in by his grandmother Smurf (Jacki Weaver), usually regarded as the black sheep of the family. Joshua quickly learns Smurf's reputation is well deserved; she and her four sons are members of a mid-level crime syndicate that operates out of her home in Melbourne. Baz (Joel Edgerton) looks after the money and is urging Smurf to move into something legit, Pope (Ben Mendelsohn) is a criminal jack-of-all-trades who never lets go of a grudge, Darren (Luke Ford) is an enforcer with an unfortunate weak streak, and Craig (Sullivan Stapleton) is a drug dealer who has become addicted to his own product. When Baz is murdered, the family's voice of reason is gone, and the unstable Pope takes the lead in the family's hierarchy; as suspicions fall on Joshua, the quiet newcomer is moved out of the house to keep him safe. Nathan Leckie (Guy Pearce) is a police detective who has found out who Joshua is and what he knows, and he tries to convince the teenager to help him put the Cody family behind bars, though Joshua isn't certain about his loyalties to these outlaws who are also his blood. The first feature film from director David Michod, Animal Kingdom was an official selection at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, where it received the World Cinema Jury Prize for Best Dramatic Feature. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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80% liked it

25,376 ratings

Critics

97% liked it

144 critics

R, 1 hr. 52 min.

Directed by: David Michôd

Release Date: August 13, 2010

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DVD Release Date: January 18, 2011

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Stats: 2,219 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,219)

  • blacksheepboy
    March 29, 2012
    blacksheepboy
    An intense thriller about a teenage boy who gets pulled into a lair of dangerous lions - his own criminal family. With an intelligent script and a superb direction, this well-paced drama is absorbing and has great performances, especially Jacki Weaver as the matriarch of the Codies.
  • paulsandberg
    February 26, 2012
    paulsandberg
    I don't know why this Indie "Goodfellas" didn't strike a chord with me, but I felt that it spent too much time with inanities and not enough in character development.

    Essentially the story is of a teen boy who is taken in by Grandma after his mother dies of an overdose. The... read more boy, Joshua comes off as somewhat wooden, full of "I dunno" and shrugs that, while typical of a teen, don't really amp up the drama; though you kind of feel for him as his situation becomes something where he's caught between the rock and the proverbial hard place.

    Since I've already mentioned "Goodfellas" it won't be giving anything away to tell you that this is about a small to mid level crime family, obstensively run by Grandma (though while she seems to have fingers in many a pie, it is obvious that she cannot control her four sons, especially Pope, who is convincing as some kind of amoral loose canon. It is his actions that move the film... and that's the problem. For a family who has been successfully running several criminal operations for many a year, Pope sure does some really stupid things - the kind of things that make you wonder why he wasn't caught and put behind bars years ago.

    The coppers here are portrayed as being hamstrung by the system - they keep making arrests, but the family keeps getting released, if for no other reason than it suits the ultimate plot setup, which has Joshua being cajoled into narcing on his family... all the while being coached by the family's lawyer in how to double deal. This part of the film is compelling, as the cops put him into a kind of witness protection, where Joshua finds out that there are elements within the police force who want him dead. The motivation for their desires is obvious to the viewer, but we're left wondering if Joshua can figure it all out. It's a nice cat and mouse game, but, once again, Joshua doesn't seem convincing in the part.

    The film also spends far too much time setting a mood - showing us way too many "normal" scenes of the family, or Joshua's girl friend's family having a meal. To what end are all these eating scenes - there's little dialog of purpose here, so unless (and this could be a big reach) director/writer David Michod is giving some kind of oblique nod to the film's title, there can only be the underlying message that the members of this crime family are really just regular blokes... but then why show the girl friend's family meals? As for the girlfriend, Michod missed a real opportunity to develop a fascinating character -she remained a mere means to an end, and her tale unexplored.

    This film was a winner at Sundance, and sadly, though there are some nice elements, I just couldn't get emotionally involved with Joshua's plight, nor did I find Pope, as the enforcer part of the family, convincing - except as a crazed buffoon doing the kind of things that no longstanding criminal with any brains would tolerate.
  • SirPant
    November 28, 2011
    SirPant
    Animal Kingdom is engrossing, unsettling and pulls no punches - exactly the right criteria for the perfect crime film. The Cody family display traits of violence, unpredictability, ignorance and cold-heartedness, led by the distinctly sweet and deliciously evil Grandma Smurf who ... read moreorders the murder of her own grandson with a smile on her face. The realistic way this is film only adds to the uncomfortable but engrossing entertainment value, it's edge of your seat but peering through your fingers stuff. It's a great debut from David Michôd and the young James Frecheville should get credit for playing the dumb silent teenager brilliantly. It deserves the praise it received.
  • ironclad1609
    November 28, 2011
    ironclad1609
    This Australian crime thriller works like a well timed punch into the guts. By killing off one of the supposed main characters after 15 minutes it clearly states that no one is safe in this tale of family, murder and betrayal. While the police is desperately trying to get the you... read moreng nephew of a criminal clan to work with them, the family itself works well enough on bringing itself down, and taking everyone close with them. By the middle of this enthralling and uncomfortable film, things get so dire that you're tempted to pause it and watch a Disney movie instead. But you can't help but keep watching. The performances are top notch, especially Ben Mendelsohn is wonderfully menacing. The last minute solution is as consistent as the whole film and leaves you with a world that's simply not as beautiful as it was before. Outstanding movie making but certainly no feel good film.
  • fb1216165431
    September 10, 2011
    fb1216165431
    Loosely inspired by real events circa 1988 in Melbourne, Australia proud of its metaphoric title, Animal Kingdom is remarkably thrilling and compelling story of vengeance and dying innocence. Powerful. Ferocious. Uncompromising.
  • fb634552688
    May 12, 2011
    fb634552688
    Phenomenal. Good acting, great script. Dark and thought-provoking. One of the best crime films I've seen recently.
  • jennifxu
    April 29, 2011
    jennifxu
    A truly eerie, matriarchal Australian crime drama that curls the fingers over.
  • MrMarakai
    April 25, 2011
    MrMarakai
    Anyone that's familiar with the Australian television show "Neighbours" will know what I mean when I refer to this as the underbelly of 'Ramsey Street'. I'm not a fan of said television show and I'm not entirely convinced by the praise this film has critically received either.
    A... read morefter the accidental death of his heroin addicted mother, 17 year-old Joshua 'J' Cody (James Frecheville) goes to live with his grandmother, 'Smurf' (Jacki Weaver), and her criminal sons, Craig (Sullivan Stapleton) and Darren (Luke Ford). The sudden arrival of their fugitive older brother, Pope (Ben Mendelsohn), gets the attention of the local cops, kick-starting a turf war that sees 'J' forced to fight for his survival.
    As the film opens we get a decent introduction to the stoical nature of young 'J' as he shows a real lack of compassion, sitting on the couch watching TV, next to his deceased mother. This persona is no different from most of the characters throughout the film. The majority of them are devoid of any morals and the actors portraying them put in fantastic performances, particularly Mendelsohn as the unstable uncle and especially Weaver as the wicked-witch like matriarch. Despite the performances though, I still stuggled to see what all the fuss was about. Much like "Winter's Bone" from the same year, this has been subject to critics clambering over each other to applaud it's gritty dramatic nature. I found several things to enjoy; the performances and low-key style in which it's shot being the notable ones but it's certainly nothing groundbreaking. Being loosely based on fact, there's a definite feeling of realism but as mentioned earlier, it reminded me of an extended episode of "Neighbours" - with the gloves off - and I pretty much avoid Australian television whenever possible.
    Not a bad film, in fact it's very good in places but it's been overpraised somewhat. There's no faulting the flawless performances though and it'll be interesting to see what writer/director David Michod comes up with next.
  • romy861
    April 10, 2011
    romy861
    Kind of underwhelmed by this. It is not a bad movie for the crime genre and the cast are exceptionable, especially considering what Australian films are normally like, but something about it just didn't gel with me. Perhaps just personal taste - the person I watched it with rave... read mored over how good it is, and this is also someone who does not enjoy a lot of Australian films!
    The ending was a little disappointing and I guess I am weary of too many australian films of this genre. Yes, we have a lot of d*heads here. Does every other local film have to feature them?!
    As I said, though, very good cast and very well made film. I was especially impressed with the young actor it follows - perhaps that is why the ending didn't cut it for me. His portrayal of the character made me care and want better things for this young guy.
  • rubystevens
    March 21, 2011
    rubystevens
    consider me blown away. everyone gushing over the town needs to see this. cuz this is how it's done

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Critic Reviews

Roger Moore
September 15, 2010
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Animal Kingdom is a genre picture designed to get under your skin and in your head, a thriller that repulses even as it draws you in. Full Review

Bill Goodykoontz
September 8, 2010
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic

The naturalistic style Michod employs adds to the sense of dread. Is there no way out of this existence? To whom would it appeal? Full Review

Tom Long
September 3, 2010
Tom Long, Detroit News

Dark and mesmerizing. Full Review

Amy Biancolli
August 27, 2010
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

It's a remarkable film: gritty, gut-churning, thrillingly acted. Full Review

J. R. Jones
August 27, 2010
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

Writer-director David Michod creates a densely textured moral universe that makes good on his metaphoric title. Full Review

Chris Vognar
August 27, 2010
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

Animal Kingdom is a lean, patient crime thriller about one kid's transition from prey to predator. Full Review

Stephanie Merry
August 27, 2010
Stephanie Merry, Washington Post

The story meticulously unfurls like an apple carefully peeled in one long ribbon to reveal its rotten core. Full Review

Colin Covert
August 26, 2010
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

This strong, assured Australian crime tragedy takes the time to dig into characters who would race past us like blurs in a stock thriller, endowing them with a rare depth and emotional truth. Full Review

Steven Rea
August 26, 2010
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

Animal Kingdom explores the down and dirty side of human nature, fraught with greed, suspicion, and betrayal. Full Review

Richard Corliss
August 20, 2010
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine

Writer-director Michôd demonstrates an eerie virtuosity for someone just getting into feature films after apprenticing in award-winning shorts. Full Review

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    • Joshua 'J' Cody: After my mom died, this is just the world I got thrown in.
    • Janine 'Smurf' Cody: [crying] I'm having trouble trying to find my positive spin. I'm usually very good at it. Usually it's right there, and I can just have it. But I'm having trouble finding it now.
    • Andrew 'Pope' Cody: It's a crazy f*ckin' world.
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  • What animal functions as a messenger in the undersea kingdom of "The Little Mermaid"?   Answer »
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  • What is the name of the edest brother in Animal Kingdom (2010)?  Answer »
  • [crying] "I'm having trouble trying to find my positive spin. I'm usually very good at it. Usually it's right there, and I can just have it. But I'm having trouble finding it now." What film?  Answer »
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