Review: Birdeater – “Nothing’s real, nothing’s serious. You’re just supposed to let the boys play”

Birdeater is the nightmarish and hallucinatory debut from writer-directors Jack Clark and Jim Weir about a weekend of fun that descends into drug-fuelled ferocity. Birdeater will be released in cinemas on May 9th and digital platforms on May 26th from Blue Finch Film Releasing. Before we get into it, check out the trailer…

The debut feature from writer-directors Jack Clark and Jim Weir, Birdeater stars Shaban Azeez (Run Rabbit Run) as Irene, a young woman invited on her fiancé’s stag do by her husband-to-be, Louie (Mackenzie Fearnley, Ten Pound Poms).

Far from fancy dress, too many drinks in ‘spoons and then being really sick on the dancefloor, Louie’s mates, including alpha male Dylan (Ben Hunter, Home and Away), drag Louie and Irene into the outback for a beer and ket fuelled nightmare of paranoia, gaslighting, hard home truths and the unearthing of some very dark and very personal secrets.

Being stuck in the middle of nowhere with some different friend groups awkwardly coming together for the first time is bad enough but under Dylan’s encouragement, the group go absolutely feral all day before sitting down for a bite of dinner and plenty of head games.

Clark and Weir hold vital information just out of reach, making you desperate to know what the stags are alluding to. But it is the acting across the board from the full ensemble that sell the hell out of you never quite trusting anyone or knowing what they’re up to. Coupling with a dark unpredictability that leaves the viewer and Irene never knowing where the film is going next either makes for a wild and trippy ride that will have you on edge throughout.

When revelations come, they are absolutely brutal and friendship, love, and loyalty go out the bloody window. Everything is masterfully teased out, and the constant feeling of being ill at ease is elevated by Andreas Dominguez’s (Body Blow) unsettling score. Just like Ben Anderson’s discombobulating editing, everything is tuned to jar and worry you. Nothing fits right, and you are never allowed a second to relax or find your feet.

Masterfully anxiety-inducing outback headgames, Birdeater is a savage psychological thriller that is not to be missed.

Further watching

For more creepy gaslighting terror turned up to 10, check out Blink Twice. If it’s more brutal Aussie thrills you fancy, the name-checked Wake in Fright is the one, fair dinkum. Want more awkward intensity? Watch the original 2022 Speak No Evil.

Pairs well with

Birdeater would double bill great with Companion. Watch Companion first.

Birdeater will be released in cinemas on May 9th and digital platforms on May 26th from Blue Finch Film Releasing.