There are dozens of reasons to be excited for Justin Kurzel’s upcoming drama, “Nitram,” the artful filmmaker himself and the terrific supporting cast that includes Judy Davis, Anthony LaPaglia, Essie Davis, and more. But the main selling point is likely the scorching lead performance by Caleb Landry Jones which earned him the Best Actor Prize at the 2021 Cannes International Film Festival where the film premiered to outstanding critical reception.
The awards didn’t stop there. “Nitram” dominated the 2021 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Awards earning 15 nominations, and 8 total wins including Best Film, Best Lead Actor, Best Director, Best Lead Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing.
In short, it’s about a deeply disturbed young man who went on to commit one of Australia’s most horrendous acts of gun violence and so shocking that Australia actually put major restrictive gun laws in place because of it (unlike some other country you know that prioritizes banning history books about horrible atrocities everyone should learn from instead of keeping school children safe). Here’s the official synopsis:
Nitram (Caleb Landry Jones) lives with his mother (Judy Davis) and father (Anthony LaPaglia) in suburban Australia in the Mid 1990s. He lives a life of isolation and frustration at never being able to fit in. That is until he unexpectedly finds a close friend in a reclusive heiress, Helen (Essie Davis). However, when that relationship meets a tragic end, and Nitram’s loneliness and anger grow, he begins a slow descent that leads to disaster.
Having already directed “Macbeth,” “Snowtown Murders” and “True History of The Kelly Gang” among others, Justin Kurzel is one of Australia’s most respected and admired directors so this is definitely one to watch.
IFC Films will open “Nitram” in theaters and VOD on March 30. Watch the first official U.S. trailer below.