Strangerland 2015

As the sun beats down upon the isolated Outback town in Australia, Tom’s nocturnal wanderings remain a secret - for now. By day, he roams freely, his footsteps echoing through the desolate streets as he goes about his daily routine.

Meanwhile, back at their humble abode, Catherine gently chides Tom about his nighttime escapades, cautioning him against continuing this solitary habit. But it’s not long before Burtie arrives at the doorstep, ready to breathe new life into the family home with a fresh coat of paint.

As Matthew answers the door, Lily, their 15-year-old daughter, bursts in wearing little more than a whisper of clothing, leaving her parents scrambling to cover her up. Her concerns about the sweltering heat and the absurdity of attending school when temperatures soar above 40 degrees only serve to further amplify the sense of isolation that permeates this new environment.

Tom’s nocturnal wanderings continue, leading him to the local pharmacy where he procures some much-needed ice cream cash from his father’s sympathetic ear. Outside, Tom hands over the funds to Lily, who’s shed what little modesty she had earlier, and together they make their way to the nearby skate park.

There, they encounter Slug, a metalhead clad in Metallica regalia, and Steve, whose imposing snake tattoo hints at a life of adventure. As Lily and Steve drift off into their own world, Tom is left to ponder the strange dynamics that govern this new chapter in his family’s life.

The introduction of Jarrah, Burtie’s nephew, brings with it a fresh wave of chaos as Rae, Coreen’s partner, stumbles upon an unexpected revelation - one that leaves him hastily re-dressing and requesting advance warning for any future surprises.

As the days blend together, Catherine takes it upon herself to inquire about Lily’s laundry needs, only to be met with a surprise: her daughter sheds her last bit of modesty and dons a bikini, disappearing into the kiddie pool alongside Tom. Burtie’s arrival serves as a timely interlude in this unfolding drama.

But it’s under the cover of night that Tom’s nocturnal wanderings truly come alive. Lily joins him on his walk, and Matthew, sleepless once more, finds himself drawn to their carefree laughter - though he ultimately decides against intervening, choosing instead to simply observe as the darkness unfolds around them.

The day after, Catherine awakens to a rude surprise - she oversleeps and is forced to reach out to Matthew at his workplace, her concerns about their children exacerbated by the nagging sense that something was amiss. Despite Matthew’s assurance that all was well, Catherine’s unease only deepens when she receives a call from the school informing her that the kids never arrived. Her anxiety boils over as she confronts Matthew at work, but he remains resolute in his denial of any wrongdoing, insisting on continuing with his duties despite the mounting worry.

Meanwhile, Catherine’s attention is diverted by an unexpected encounter - a close call with an elderly indigenous woman as she navigates the treacherous roads. The near-miss serves only to further unsettle her already frayed nerves. A heated conversation with Neil, whose ire seems to be fueled by something more than just his daughter’s disappearance, further exacerbates Catherine’s distress.

As the hours tick by, Catherine and Matthew are compelled to report their missing children to the authorities, where they’re met with the unsympathetic gaze of Detective Rae. The seasoned investigator is skeptical from the start, her tone dripping with cynicism as she probes into the family’s troubled past. Lily’s history of running away, coupled with Matthew’s volatile temper and the revelation of a previous sexual relationship between Neil and Lily, only serves to further muddy the waters.

As the parents embark on their own search for their missing children, they’re forced to contend not just with the scorching heat but also the ominous threat of an impending dust storm. The couple’s desperation is palpable as they venture out into the worst of it, their visibility reduced to near zero. It’s a situation ripe for disaster.

In the aftermath of the storm, Rae returns to the family’s home, her eyes scanning the room with a keen intensity as she probes for any clues that might aid in the investigation. Her conversation with Catherine is laced with an air of tension, as the detective delicately navigates the treacherous emotional landscape of the missing children.

In a separate thread, Adam - the owner of a local business - is seen cleaning up the outside of his establishment after the storm’s aftermath. Rae pays him a visit, her questioning a thinly veiled attempt to gather information about Adam’s son, Steve. Adam’s ire is piqued by the insinuation that his offspring might be involved in the disappearance, but he ultimately agrees to join the search party.

As Catherine delves deeper into Lily’s room, she uncovers a hidden diary replete with dark, haunting art and cryptic clues. The entries reveal a deep emotional vulnerability, as Lily seems to have developed an unrequited crush on Bertie, a development that may hold the key to unlocking the mystery of their disappearance. Catherine’s decision to keep this discovery from Matthew is motivated by a desire to spare him further distress.

Meanwhile, Rae’s own actions raise questions about her commitment to solving the case. Her decision to shred a crucial page featuring Bertie’s name - an act that seems at odds with her earlier promises to keep Catherine informed - only serves to further heighten the sense of unease and distrust that permeates the narrative.

As the parents continue their frantic search, Matthew’s unease with outsiders grows, prompting him to contemplate retreating back home. However, Catherine is resolute in her determination to uncover the truth, choosing instead to join the search party and share the burden of their investigation. Meanwhile, Rae’s concerns about leaving their daughter unattended at home prove well-founded as mysterious and unsettling phone calls begin to disrupt their already strained vigil.

A neighborly visit from Coreen and Jarrah brings an unexpected twist: Jarrah’s grandmother is none other than the woman Catherine nearly struck while driving earlier. The visit hints at an ancient indigenous legend that may hold a crucial clue, though its significance remains shrouded in secrecy for now.

Rae’s growing suspicions about Burtie lead him to accuse the suspect of involvement in Lily’s disappearance, despite his initial reluctance due to his perception of Burtie as harmless. However, Rae’s subsequent decision to take Steve in for questioning sparks Adam’s ire, only to be forced to release the suspect later on.

Matthew’s ill-advised decision to confront Neil at Coonaburra sets off a chain reaction of upset among the family, including a young girl who becomes distraught at the unexpected turn of events. Neil’s wife threatens to involve the authorities, underscoring the gravity of Matthew’s actions.

As Rae and Catherine venture into previously unexplored terrain, their mutual concern for Lily’s fate seems to foster an undeniable attraction between them. However, Coreen’s growing jealousy soon surfaces, fueled by suspicions that Rae and Catherine may be embarking on a clandestine affair.

The tension builds as Catherine confronts Matthew about his potential involvement in Lily’s disappearance, but he vehemently denies any wrongdoing. The discovery of incriminating evidence linking Lily to Burtie prompts Matthew to take matters into his own hands, visiting the suspect and exacting physical retribution.

Meanwhile, Rae remains skeptical of Burtie’s innocence, choosing not to intervene despite Matthew’s violent outburst. As the search for Lily continues, Rae takes a calculated risk by venturing into uncharted territory with Catherine, their partnership marked by an undeniable chemistry that threatens to blur the lines between friendship and something more.

Their journey reaches a turning point when they stumble upon Tom, a dehydrated young boy who has been missing for some time. Catherine’s compassion as she tends to Tom’s wounds is palpable, but her desperation to uncover the truth is tempered by the boy’s inability to recall any details about his sister’s disappearance. As Rae continues to question Tom, his frustration grows in tandem with Catherine’s desperation, their hopes of finding Lily dwindling with each passing moment.

As Catherine (name) meanders through the quaint town, a chance encounter with Jarrah’s grandmother sets off a chain reaction of eerie whispers. The elderly woman regales Catherine with the local legend, speaking in hushed tones of the townspeople who have vanished without a trace. This unsettling narrative is further amplified by the murmurs of the townsfolk at the grocery store, where a young female cashier expresses her despairing thoughts about Lily’s predicament, pronouncing it hopeless.

However, as Catherine delves deeper into the mystery, her mental state begins to fray at the edges. Her grip on reality tenuous at best, she becomes increasingly unhinged, her wanderings around town a testament to her growing instability. It is here that Matthew intervenes, rescuing Catherine from the depths of her own despair and engaging her in a poignant conversation.

As they talk, Catherine’s guilt and self-blame come to the forefront, as she fixates on the notion that her actions – or rather, her lack thereof – have somehow contributed to Lily’s circumstances. Matthew, with unflinching honesty, confesses his own regret for not intervening when he witnessed the children’s disappearance.

Meanwhile, a hauntingly beautiful interlude unfolds, as Lily’s (voice) recites her poetry against a backdrop of majestic mountain vistas. The juxtaposition of these tranquil scenes with the turmoil that has unfolded serves only to underscore the sense of unease and foreboding that pervades this enigmatic town.