In preparation for seeing The Dry 2: Force of Nature, I decided to give The Dry a re-watch. I had initially seen it at the cinemas when released in 2021 and it is currently streaming on Stan.

The Dry is based on the novel of the same name (which I have not read) by Jane Harper and is about Federal Agent ‘Aaron Falk’ (played by Eric Bana) who returns to his hometown to attend the funeral of his childhood friend, Luke who has killed his family and then himself in a murder-suicide. Aaron is called into action to go back home for lying about something that happened 20 years ago which ended up driving him out of town. Luke is also called out for lying about the same thing – the death of Ellie, a friend of the boys at the time.

Set in regional Victoria, the story flashes between the cases from the past and present as there may be a connection. Will Aaron need to face his past and tell the truth in order to help work out if Luke really did commit the crime which he has been blamed for?

The Dry will keep you guessing who did it and why, with several twists and turns along the way. Reflecting back on my initial feelings after the first viewing, this one really kept me on my toes right up until the end. On second viewing, although knowing the outcome, I was still highly invested in the story and perhaps picked up on some additional clues.

The performances of the cast are fantastic, as is the look and feel of the film. Particularly the contrast between the past and present from a rich and fertile land to a dry one. A striking visual metaphor are the bushfires raging in the distance approaching closer as the investigation develops.

If you haven’t seen this film, put this one to the top of the list for your next movie night.