There are some movies that you watch, that as the events unfold on screen a bad taste grows in the back your throat and remains well beyond once the credits have rolled. Snowtown is one of those.
Snowtown is the first-time feature from Australian director Justin Kurzel that covers the horrific “bodies in the barrels” murders that took place in South Australia.

If you’re assuming Snowtown will glorify those grizly murders that shocked Australia in the late 90’s you’ll be heavily mistaken. The film from its opening shot is fuelled on by character driven drama, while providing a harsh commentary on suburbia, and what motivates a person to murder.

My biggest surprise with the movie was rather then the story focusing on the serial killer himself, it instead focuses on that of James Vlassakis, the 13 year old who would find a father figure in a serial killer, and eventually become an accomplice to murder.

The movie starts by showing the raw and impoverished lifestyle that James shares with his younger brothers and mother set in the northern suburbs of Adelaide. After a neighbour sexually abuses the boys, their mother Elizabeth pleas to her new boyfriend that comes in the form of the charismatic John Bunting to step in and protect her family.
Once this psychopathic homophobe enters their lives, James finds himself on an emotionally driven journey that will ultimately lead him to assisting in the murders, 2 of which are his own half brothers.

Many that know the stories of the Snowtown murders would be aware that John Bunting accompanied with Robert Wagner would have their victims record messages for their families. Instead of portraying most of the murders on screen, the movie out of respect of the victim’s families relies heavily on the power of suggestion and the echoed victim’s recordings. Sometimes the thing that most disturbs us is our very own imagination, and this work’s in the film’s favour.

Newcomer Lucas Pittaway’s portrayal of Jamie Vlassakis as a troubled teen who finds a father figure in a psychopath is powerful yet heartbreaking. As the events unfold on screen all you find yourself wishing is that the poor boy would just get a decent break in life. John Bunting brought to life by Daniel Henshall, is as equally powerful.

There is something very disturbing about watching a serial killer show so much love and passion towards a family, who in the next minute uses that very charm to lure and inflict so much torture and pain on his unsuspecting victims.

Snowtown without a doubt pulls at every emotion, while providing a heart wrenching insight into one of Australia’s most horrific murder cases. Even though Snowtown is not for all cinemagoers, it definitely earns its place alongside the greats of Australian film.

Snowtown is released on the 19th of May at selected cinemas.