Movie Stuff: Red Hill

Shock horror! Ryan Kwanten has taken on a role where his character isn't required to be naked in every scene. While this may be disappointing (especially for us True Blood fans) Kwanten really shows his versatility as an actor in Red Hill. Plus it's especially nice to hear his native Aussie accent again- does anyone else remember his Vinnie days on Home and Away? He's certainly come a long way from Summer Bay. (Which is something I'm sure he's very thankful about). 


Kwanten stars as Constable Shane Cooper, who moves to the blink-and-you'll-miss-it outback town of Red Hill with his pregnant wife so they can get away from the stress of city life. The movie centres on Cooper's first day on the job, which can only be described as the worst first day ever. Things turn bad pretty quickly when escaped prisoner Jimmy Conway makes his way into town to enact some revenge on the police officers and townspeople- with a helluva big shotgun. But why is Conway so hellbent on revenge? You'll just have to see it for yourself to find out... 

Ryan Kwanten as Shane Cooper

Red Hill is a modern day western/revenge thriller with great action and plenty edge-of-your-seat moments to enjoy. It actually has a great storyline as well (unlike so many other films around these days) that keeps you guessing until the end. The acting is superb, especially by Ryan Kwanten and Steve Bisley, but it is Tom E. Lewis as Jimmy Conway who really steals the show. While the vast majority of his part is spent in silence, his on-screen presence is phenomenal.


Unfortunately the film hasn't made a huge amount at the local box office, which is such a shame as it really is a fantastic Australian production that's miles ahead of the majority of movies coming out of Hollywood. Red Hill is definitely worth the trip to the cinema, or at the very least would make for a great night in when it comes out on DVD.