Check back soon to see more Guardian reader reviews as they come in.
Delightfully unnerving, redefines the crime thriller genre. Remi
Superb depiction of a lowlife drama which is poetic, painfully authentic and features a number of excellent performances. chigo12
Lock Stock moves to Aus. The best of crime drama in an antipodean surrounding as a 17-year-old finds out the chilling side of criminal humanity. Martin Bubear
Animal Kingdom is a dark and brutal crime thriller. Nicole Punch
Animal Kingdom - Australia's Godfather - shows that darkness & brutality prevails in even the most sunny of climates. Oscar-worthy grit. Francesca White
A harrowing Aussie Goodfellas tale with a surprisingly compelling and gripping plot, which keeps the audience on tenterhooks throughout. Roxanne
Terrifyingly brutal, explosive and energetic. You will be easily lured into this dark and cunning animal kingdom. Joanne Blunt
A fast-moving, thought-provoking movie with an award-winning performance by Weaver. Kuli L
Dramatic and menacing crime thriller detailing one dysfunctional family's war against a corrupt police department Dave E
Walk into this Animal Kingdom and prepare to be mauled kenb
A dysfunctional familial gang initiate their orphaned nephew into a dark underworld - will he choose to stand by "family" to the end? Julia Cook
Nail-biting Aussie gangster movie filled with tension as Jacki Weaver plays the mama lioness to her brood of drug dealers and robbers. toodles60
Tense Australian drama which is all the more powerful when set against the perception of a laid back society. Ellie Peabody
Forget Australia's sun sea & sand this is the underbelly they don't want you to see. meena
This tense thriller about a misfit family of Australian gangsters will leave you feeling anything but ordinary. antwill03
A film to make your heart beat fast as you feel the Cody as he's pulled in two directions. One to watch! Jennifer Schofield
Rare film-making talent by debut writer-director David Michôd, dramatising humanity's kill-or-be-killed instinct with chilling conviction. ZoshJosh
Ramsey Street residents had better lock their doors, this beautifully-lit, but sinister offering out of Melbourne will curl their toes! Christine
Tense, frighteningly realistic, a first rate thriller. carmel pickering
A cracking story with fascinating characters; an engrossing tale of a family's fall. Matt Bateman
Absolutely thrilling, a definite must-see for all crime lovers. claire79
Unbearably tense, rich plot told through an increasingly dangerous roll of characters. Writer/director David Michôd at his very best. Mr A J Langron
A dark and violent tale, with an engaging plot that isn't overdone and stays true to the gritty realism of the ominous film. Natasha
Thrilling and brutal rollercoaster seen from the inside of the Aussie Corleones Andrew
A quality, well-finished crime drama featuring characters and a plot that go hand in hand with the tension and heart-wrenching tragedy. AP
The main characters are unsympathetic. Basically the message is that evil with a smile is better than good with a frown. Gregleeds
A tense primal piece, well crafted and compelling. Stergios Tampakakis
A gritty & disturbing story of a young boy's introduction to his criminal kinfolk ... hard-hitting & gripping, up there with The Godfather! Jackie P
Grabs you from start and never lets go. Brilliant acting, fab storyline and tension throughout. Definitely one for the "must see" list. Claire
A chilling look at a family united in their desire for survival and ultimately their decline into paranoia and bloody revenge. Nash13
Easily stands up against US films such as Goodfellas. Shows there's more to Australia than Summer Bay and barbies, mate. Munkyman1
Waltzing Matilda it aint. Enough violence, mayhem and family feuding to shake a platypus at. This movie is Mad Max on steroids and then some. Eric-the-red
Tantaslingly thrilling, edge of the seat stuff. Marita
Gripping and fascinating insight into Australian underworld LORRAINE ANDERSON
A film that gallops along at a pace with twists and turns. A well crafted film that should suit all tastes. DavieP
17 year-old J gets to grips with the laws of nature and comes of age in brutal fashion in this feral Melbourne crime drama. Suki
An explosive entrance into a criminal underworld where you fight with the character to keep your head above water. Dark yet illuminating. 5* kattqueen
Nature v nurture in 80s underground Oz, a son, an OD'd mum, the clutches of a black widow matriarch who would eat her children for revenge. Tamzin Powell
Amongst other gangster films, Animal Kingdom is King of the Jungle roley martin
Any more realistically intense, and you'd taste the grit in your teeth. I dare you to get on Smurf's wrong side. 0054
Gut wrenchingly watchable and thought-provoking film. Cheryl Brown
Armrest gripping action! Must see film of the Australian gangland! Hel
Australia has some of the most poisonous creatures in the world.....and one of the worlds most poisonous families! Meet the Codys! Rich Mayes
Neighbours meets The Krays monstermash
An Oliver Twist of our times as J desperately tries to escape his torment trap Valerie
Lawless, criminal and engaging as it weaves through a story of underworld survival for 17 year old J blublaze
Compelling debut from David Michôd, award winning Animal Kingdom explores Melbourne's crime-ridden underworld Frances Heaton
A four X of a slaughterhouse bloodfest with moments of poignancy to bring tears to the eyes. rosewhite
Atmospheric & unrelenting thriller, with an intensity that grips the viewer and draws them into J's life with a dysfunctional crime family. Marco-Polo
A gritty drama of real world Godfather gangster and Goodfellas family - a gripping performance all round. jefferycraig
A gritty account of a teenager thrust into his long-lost criminal family. Strained loyalties & conflict make for a gripping,intense must-see Cherie Nute
Had me so close to the edge of my seat, I fell off. Joe
The quiet existentialist discovers his growl! Mark Hughes
Edgy, poignant and highly cinematic, this Australian crime story would be criminal to miss! emsiecov
Harsh but compelling view of Melbourne' darker side, keeps going right to the end. S Gorman
The Animal kingdom is a mind-blowing thriller action film with amazing actors. Christine morric
Disturbingly dark drama based around a repulsive family of criminal lowlifes. Diane
Grim, brutal, gripping, absorbing drama in an unlikely but wonderful setting. AL M
does what good cinema should do - suspends reality and leaves plenty to ponder when you leave the cinema! Mark Philips
Riveting, frenetic gangland drama, sees J the hero struggling against his enforced new psychotic Cody family. Move over Godfather part one! Denzie
An Australian crime family's felonious downfall is captured in this exceptional, harrowing and ultimately thrilling crime drama. G Phez
Cops cant catch 'n' cage crass cold criminal Codys. Robbo67
Captivating & fascinating, continually keeps the adrenaline pumping, simply a sensational thriller, Animal Kingdom's the definite winner! Paul Thomas
A film that will have you engrossed from start to finish. J Shields
Loved the Melbourne setting, an altogether gripping and thought provoking film. Keith Downie
A tense and exciting thriller, and at times very grim, that has you on the edge of your seat. Amy O
Robbery, killing and revenge in the Melbourne underworld - it would be a crime not to see it. ChrisW
If your idea of the typical Australian family is the Bishops of Ramsay Street, wait until you get a load of the Codys. Dells
Animal Kingdom takes survival of the fittest to its darkest conclusion in this tale of a young man standing alone within his family. Jo Tucknott
Dramatic, well-made film which is highly cinematic, meticulously crafted, thrilling and poignant in equal measure. Jonathan
You can't choose your family, but you can choose to survive. Jim
A coming of age story set in the brutal underworld of Melbourne. Kate
J (James Frecheville) is a quite innocent young man, who due to circumstance's beyond his control is forced to confront brutality. @chris_woodgate
Gripping, entertaining, edge of your seat drama. Distressing, devastating, heart-wrenching 21st century Crime & Punishment. Chrris88
In Melbourne's concrete jungle, Josh tries to resist the call of the wild, but the criminal underworld has become the new Animal Kingdom. Michael M
Melbourne Mafia meltdown. Simon Burman
Will make you roar like a lion and laugh like a hyena. Truly wonderful da
Shocking, ferocious and intense: like mistakenly using whisky instead of mouthwash. enderit
Fantastic film exploring the hearts and fears of those affected by rampant macho-gangsterism, rather than glorifying the violence. Charles
A great crime film that held my attention throughout - excellent. PdN
Shocks, amazes and surprises, keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout vicky
An unfolding tragedy of pace and wit, this taut Australian crime thriller's formidable family held me captive until the last bloody frame. sadie mcgivern
Blood curdling tension! Dionne Norman
Thrilling, captivating, dark & intriguing. Brilliantly written and creatively filmed to keep viewers anticipating the next twist in the tale. Vaughan Dee
He discovered that crime does not pay but would that be enough to prevent his family from paying the ultimate price? Graham Morris
David Michôd at his best, great crime thriller well worth watching! Trippster
Awesome, edge of your seat entertainment powderkeg
Death, drug dealing, and desperation. Maya Russell
Animal Kingdom takes The Wire and The Sopranos, mixes them up and produces the most explosive organised crime film to date. Roger T Byrnes
A stunning and compelling movie about survival in the criminal world. Patrick
Powerful, gripping, and a breathtaking performance by newcomer James Frecheville puts this film up there with the top crime films to date. L. Rowsell
Innocent orphaned teen moves in with cop-killing, mob relatives, will he join them or can he escape? lebeeuk
The unremitting tension delivers an animal cracker. oggieb
How Tarantino or Scorsese would describe life - if thrown down into the illicit, dank, dark gutters of the Melbourne underworld. K Johnstone
A tense Australian gangster film that proves you can choose your friends but not your family! JULIE ROBSON
Wow, Australian mafia makes mincemeat of The Sopranos. Wendy Murray
Animal Kingdom - stocked with nature's fittest or just clawing to survive? Tense and on edge to the last frame. Cooper52
A harsh look into what happens when a teenage boy is dragged into the criminal underbelly of his family. Steve oakley
Feisty, chaotic, chilling, Animal Kingdom will have you on the edge. Sarah
A brilliant thriller from down under. Siobhan Dancey
Dark, dramatic and deadly down under. Mike Fairclough
Tarantino-esque violence minus the humour, makes you hope your Granny REALLY liked the present you sent for Christmas. H34dache
Ben Mendelsohns's menacing adolescent Trevor from The Year My Voice Broke has become Pope, one of the scariest psychopaths you'll encounter. Doddles
Beautifully shot and well supported, young Aussie powerfully conveys drama and empathy with two facial expressions. Happily bloody ending. Oli Haill
A tense and gripping thriller full of shocks and surprises. xhale
Michôd rips the Underbelly from the Melbourne Crime scene exposing the real Animal Kingdom. A dark masterpiece that would make even Trimbole tremble. Cadenz
Palpable menace, a strong cast and superb technical execution make 'Animal Kingdom' a cinematic triumph to rank among the genre's best. Will Nevitt
The Sopranos with kangaroos and an almost fanatical devotion to their mother! zebbadee
Amazing performances and truly original screenplay David
Achingly well delivered, uncomfortable, unrelenting characters that have you hooked from the offset. See this. Savage
A must see thriller with lots of twists and turns! JoY
This film is the Australian version of Goodfellas. Terrific to watch, unbearably so at times but the must-see movie of this year. galaxygirl
Animal Kingdom is a compelling, astounding and beautifully executed crime drama, supported by vigorous performances by the entire ensemble. ghalib ghalib
A film full of growling stubbly Australians and every scene packed solid with butt clenching tension, it's criminally twisted. Jo
Epic in scope and unflinchingly intimate, Animal Kingdom's depiction of a collapsing crime family is as moving as it is quietly brutal. TimGurowich
Deep, dark and dangerous - Animal Kingdom questions whether character is truly formed by Nature or Nurture? Nature vs Nurture
Michôd has sired a fresh crime drama; feral but subtle. A sense of foreboding is ever-present but still shocks when the untoward occurs. CBauer
Outstanding, gripping Australian gangland crime drama. Paul
Powerful film of a darker side to Melbourne life – at times brutal and unsettling, and showing just what it means to be related by blood. Paul Forrester
Performs an autopsy on the macho stereotype, masculine layers are flayed back to reveal a cold fatherless limbo. tomalley
Distraught youngster thrust into a family of reprobates, attempts to extricate himself from a path of disaster. montydog
Not just Australian film of the year but film of the year. Drew
A deeply layered family crime story rich in realism and menace, it will grip you tight even after you've witnessed it's bloody end. Michael Davidson
An underground world of murky two-bit villains, innocent young victims, and the mother from hell. A wizard movie from Oz. Tony Scudder
Thrust into the Melbourne underworld, torn between loyalty and betrayal, J learns the cost of survival. MV
A tremendously exciting and challenging thriller that builds unnervingly to a stunning conclusion. Chris Knight
A masterly low-lit picture of crime family values ISOBEL PIACHAUD
Jacki Weaver rules the roost in this tightly-wound crime thriller set against a Melbourne landscape that never looked so un-Neighbourly. Alex Zeger
Neighbours from Hell. Leochesterton
A gripping film, you won't want to take your eyes off of. simon rose
A Truly gripping drama... ever wondered what it's like to go to hell and back? Watch Animal Kingdom! Rachel Dann
Tense thriller which examines humanity as it strives to survive in a criminal environment. ranger
A pack of criminals take on a young pup and slow burn their way to an explosive climax in sun-bleached Melbourne. Aussie dynamite. Dougieboy
Unflinching and nothing less than completely electrifying, this is a stunningly dark, intimate and thrilling debut from a talent to watch. Claire Stewart
Think you understand family love-hate relationships? Wait till you meet the Codys. peergynt
Friends you can choose, but family is another matter as J soon finds out.A gritty look at the modern family? F van den Berg
Claustrophic, frantic, riveting: a superbly acted inspired tale exploring the human cost of progress up the Australian criminal food chain. Oliver O'Callaghan
Animal Kingdom is a fantastic film, full of tension, that dramatically builds to a stunning conclusion. Sarah
Animal Kingdom does nothing to alleviate the crime colony jokes plaguing the Australian nation but is nevertheless invigorating throughout. Alice G
A dark rites-of-passage story meets lethal Shakespearean drama, with low-key performances that artfully get under the skin. A must see. Anonymouse
Neighbours from hell – an intense family crime thriller set in the Melbourne underworld, with a star turn from Jacki Weaver as 'La Padrina'. Lexi Alexander
A pride of criminals struggle to survive in the Melbourne badlands. A study of family bonds and actions taken to survive. Best in class. Richard Litherland
A disturbingly brilliant masterpiece of Australian cinema. Matt Hulme
Astounding ... tension that doesn't let up for a minute ... surprises right to the last second ... prepare yourself! Sam Michael
Absolutely amazing, world class performances and powerful storytelling. Zoe H
The most amazingly self-assured debut in quite a long time ... a sharp and brutal thriller. gaanja
A sleek, compelling crime drama which will leave its mark on you, definitely not to be missed. CherylD
A great film for teenagers - it'll make them feel so much better about their own teen angst. Tel
Animal Kingdoms proves that not all Australian neighbours become good friends. Alasdair McDougall
A tremendously exciting and challenging thriller that builds unnervingly to a stunning conclusion. Fiona
An edgy Australian thriller about corruption and a grim criminal family, their hierarchy and raising the young. Helen Brown
An action-packed thriller, to keep you on the edge of your seat, good v bad, right v wrong, you're in for a real treat with Animal Kingdom. Alison Thackray
Wish you could change your family - you won't after watching this! Jane
Australia's answer to The Godfather - it bottles the essence of a profoundly unsettled 'settler nation'. PabloM
Brutal but subtle, terrifying yet calm, thrillingly unnerving - see it but don't expect to easily forget it! Adam Morling
One man's battle to right when so many do so much wrong. Richard T
Arm rest gripping suspense, loyalty tested to its painful and emotional limits. Tragically believable intense drama jezzeruk
Haunting, tragic, terrifying, a truly natural feeling crime drama with characters and images that will stay with you for a long time. Chris Johnson
An Antipodean Road To Perdition. Weaver's performance makes "Chopper" Read look like he could have walked off the set of Ramsay Street. J. Schofield
Muscular and menacing this is virtuoso film-making that will pin you to your seat like an inertia locking seat belt. Dan Finnerty
Absolutely gripping! Certainly beats Neighbours. missnikkai
Dangerously understated, hauntingly atmospheric, Animal Kingdom is utterly unexpected in every way. Is it Safe?
A heartwarming yet slightly disturbing movie. Well worth a watch. Emma
"We live like animals, we die like animals..... It's who we are...." Darren Walker
To survive, take on the alpha-male and prove you are alpha-plus, then alpha-beat grandma. And never forget they love you. Really, they do. Murray
An authentically raw and darkly twisted masterpiece. Keef
Skippy the Bush Kangaroo it isn't . Joe Average
It never feels like a Hollywood rip-off. Guy Pearce adds a little understated star-power as a trustworthy cop. Christopher Prater
Completely redesigns my views on thrillers/dramas as my mind was blown away by the amazing story telling and acting. Pierce Reilly
Animal Kingdom is a truly great film. Wrenching and tragic. The violence in the film is always unexpected, abrupt and hideous. Mawa Inayat
A thrilling, gripping and heartbreaking crime epic. Weaver will haunt you as the matriarch who lets her animals run wild. Don't miss it! Tony
A gangster rollercoaster! Amy
Gritty drama encapsulating the turmoil of J (James Frecheville) as he struggles to adapt to his never ending nightmare in The Animal Kingdom. zeusiblue
Shows decision making consequences on life and how making the wrong and right decisions can define you as a person. c hodds
Must-see Australian classic drama of crime, gangs and family loyalties and relationships; captivating, compulsive viewing. yd1556
Intense and compelling with lots of good performances, especially Guy Pearce and one Oscar nomination! Not to be missed! :) RiVa
An outstanding ominous outback tale of a teen's passage into the darker depths of gangster family life. Warren
A world away from Ramsey Street, an Aussie Peggy Mitchell and her harder, leaner brood offer a psychotic but compelling line in counselling. Darren
This is a thrilling exploration of a teenager's reaction to placement with evil relatives - will he be the cuckoo in the nest or a chameleon? compfan
An intense film full of intrigue & surprises. Don't be put off by "Smurf", it's nothing to do with those annoying creatures from the 1980s. Hestia14
Modern Classic Crime Movie! A must-see for all guys and dolls. Lya
Keeps your bum on the edge of your seat and your eyeballs dry because you don't want to blink in case you miss anything! Holly M
The jungle of underworld Melbourne laid bare, beautiful brutal compelling direction! A must-see film. ray k
An ordinary boy is forced to live with his out of control, violent, dysfunctional relations who are taking on the law - is there a winner? Cally
Thought your family was bad? think again! A true, gritty, crime drama - one to watch. Jacqui Williams
A fantastically brutal & frightening portrayal of Australian family life Cazza1973
Animal Kingdom, a deeply unsettling thriller that borders on Greek Tragedy, is a stunning directorial debut. Preys on the mind for weeks. Matthew Foster
Uncompromizing an compelling - where the only animals are humans. Andy Capstick
I felt the family claustrophobia, split between loyalty, engendered by the duplicitous mother and the fear radiating from Pope. Fishcake
Stunningly brutal thriller with a deliciously malevolant matriarch. Mez
Brilliant, exciting, empowering! gemsy1984
My Gran, what big teeth you have. Karl WIlls
Powerfully understated with a mind blowing finish. M.R.
Very gritty but thoughful well made film. Andrew steele
You don't know how bad it can be, until you live with them, then it's bad!! Al Mac
A bit more of a punch than usual life but the same old badness lisa johnston
Exciting thriller with a fab stunning ending, on the edge like goodfellas kelly smith
Absolutely gripping katherinesara
Michôd's sprawling, searing crime tale hums with an unnerving tension. Gripping, bracing, adult drama. This animal has blenty of bite! Dave Rowland
Interesting and compelling with beautiful direction. blueglitter
Animal kingdom becomes the new top dog of Australian crime movies with story of an orphan who joins new pack and learns rules of the jungle. JohnD
Hard to see why this amazing, shocking and eye-opening story seems credible and real, yet it most certainly does. juliak
Violence here is shown as something loathsome, ugly and contagious - Animal Kingdom bares its teeth and it is not a pretty sight. Jetzkel
Explosive doesn't begin to describe this haunting, meticulously made crime drama, which is Australia's answer to The Godfather! S.Cummins
A brooding and intense film, with an incredible sense of visual style too: my best of the year (2010/11, I mean). WSHQ
Cliche-eschewing anti-Guy Ritchie crime drama authentically conveying claustrophobia of family bonds in echo of themes of Winter's Bone. raindog
A grim look into the dark, criminal underworld of Melbourne - which envelops the viewer. Manderson
The family that preys together slays together. Roger West
Animal Kingdom shocks, surprises and amazes but never seems false or unreal and is a great film. aisha khan
Sort of Straw Man meets Sopranos - but damn good as well. alfiedog
Definitely a film that will be remembered. Marycarol
Animal Kingdom isn't some schmaltzy over sentimental disney-fied movie, there's real drama! Grannybiker
A* crime drama, the cast's brilliant, the storyline's fresh, thought provoking with great twists and builds the tension right up to the end. Penwise
If Freud was in his 30s, had grown up in Melbourne & had just watched Goodfellas - then Animal Kingdom is the film he would have made. Raz Ahmed
The "Jury" went out and came back with guilty as charged - the crime had been committed! DeniseJ
Simply ... gripping Manicdeb
A tense, slow transfer from frying pan to fire for drug-orphaned teenager J, a near-innocent in the care of his bank-robbing uncles. Bob Hanson
What a thriller - a must-see for all crime thriller fans. Zylbsonic
The pantheon of gangland classics welcomes new blood in the form of this primal, pulse-pounding portrait of a cub inside a thieves' den. D David
Suspense, the bravery of struggle against circumstance and the banality of criminal violence all combine in this little beauty of a film. Millsy
This sublime thriller about a criminal family reaching the nadir of its fortunes, is by turn nail biting, mesmerising and heartbreaking. Zash
Not a Crime Family film, but a film about a family of criminals. The Codys are less Corleone than they are Manson. Grimly coruscating. Eleanor Coen
Its into the wild with this crime thriller, James Frecheville is one to watch out for. FMC
Innocence is just another form of ignorance in a fickle world. The result is a film of searing moral ambivalence for us and its antagonists. James Coen
Who's afraid of the big bad grandma? Jacki Weaver deserved her Oscar nomination for her portrayal in this film! FKW
Almost unendurably tense drama as a cop tries to use a teenager to blow apart a crime family that makes the Krays look like the Waltons. Paul Bowen
A gritty, edge of the seat thriller about people you would not want living next door and 'J' the person who wants to get away. Stuart Simm
You can't choose your family, so watch grandma doesn't stab you in the back! Elle8
A good slow-paced, tense but ultimately satisfying drama, kept me on the edge of my seat till the very end – go watch! NPM
An extremely well-directed film, with a brilliant cast, led by the rather chilling grandmother played by a justly-nominated Jacki Weaver.FHC
Family tree from hell, makes Shameless seem like a normal family. George
A hard hitting Australian gangster movie, a first of its kind, a good story with first rate acting. This is a March must see for everyone.Lynda
A mesmerising drama that needs to be watched, great exploration of familial bonds. Michael Botterill
"Animal Kingdom shocks, surprises and amazes but never seems false or unreal. The family are endearing - revolting but endearing." A Connolly
He's no Ned Kelly, but this tale of a naive orphan teenage boy has the power to inspire belief in the power of change. Mrs.O.P.Wood
A dangerous downunder dastardly dilemma which sets the pulse racing. RuthMarianna
Sheer brilliance! Nichola !
Michael Mann meets Melbourne mobsters. Ben Haynes
Impressive cold and realistic movie, great acting, not to be missed. Solune
I was gripped from the moment it started. salvagebrav
A powerful crime thriller sifting the weak from the strong. psg
Tough, realistic, thriller with some good performances, starts slow but this is forgiven later when good plot twist materialises. Tishie
The movie is entertaining and thought-provoking! Ian Buck
The Australian crime equivalent of Prescilla Queen of the Desert. Chris
Blood is thicker than water - not to mention the law! angelica06
I must admit to only watching this movie due to Guy Pearce being in it; didn't expect the film to spook me quite as much as it did. Anita Williams
Edgy and harrowing, Michôd's hard-hitting effort jolts you back into an uncomfortable reality with this thought-provoking piece. Kayleigh Tanner
A tale of a dysfunctional Australian Mafia family - where The Godfather meets Neighbours. joyceyb
Weird but good film. robert3452
Awesome. Louise Smith
Fresh and exciting-well worth your time. jimblocker
A thrilling, yet heart-felt crime film. Chia Ren Tan
Animal Kingdom had me perched on the end of my seat for most of the time as well as being written and intense. tj
A gripping drama that will leave you wanting more. GARY HUGHES
Animaltastic bloodthirsty not to be missed thriller. Five stars ***** kim harding
Hard Hitting Beauty Of a film, Amazing. Jayme T
Fast paced and action packed! Annelien
Grity film really compelling. Stylisedly menacing yet convincing throughout. rosie100
Beautifully shot thriller, carefully crafted and takes total ownership of an intense view of family and crime. charmaine 81
One hundred and thirteen minutes of undiluted quality, tension and thrills tony higgins
Blood relations - you can't live without them, with them you won't survive. Helen Mills
Cool, exciting movie. Ma
Fast moving and tense, keeps you on the edge of your seat shydaylily
Well worth watching, I found it entertaining Cinders59
Utterly thrilling, Animal Kingdom exudes stunning depth and complexity. mart11
With confident pacing, smart script, top notch cast, the best Australian film yet. hazel38
A gripping portrait of a corrupted family,steeped in violence,paranoia and betrayal and ruthlessly dominated by a malevolent matriarch. California Light
This isn't good neighbours becoming good friends. The (down) under lying violence reeks from this family like a constant, bad smell. Drew Mitchell
Animal kingdom , Not every day in Oz is a G'day. leigh annell
aboustley fantastic, i loved it. izzy
Ned Kelly meets the Goodfellas-Australia's best export since Fosters! Ste
An Australian crime family saga to rival the best of Scorsese, but with a mood and technique all of its own. A masterpiece. ImmanuelvonB
Compelling tale of what one boy has to do to survive becoming a man within his family. Emily Perry
Like a low-rent Sopranos - psychotic menace & sublime sound design BuddyN
Looks a 1st class film jbdoorne
Not a great Australian film just a great film Lee
Great love it chrissyb55
'We're not in Ramsey St. anymore!' Michôd's 'Return to Oz' is more Ross Kemp than Judy Garland. Remember 'You can choose your friends but…? JoC
Good film well worth watching thecat
Never has Australian culture looked darker than in this brilliant study of a crime family and its dealings with a corrupt justice system. Angus Nicholls
Just a shame this young lad never had a proper chance in life simone1
Fantastic crime thriller with brilliant acting especially. Osian Roberts
There is more to Oz than Ramsey St. see the darker side! Gaz
The way the characters seek out, react, and how the drama is paced and scored: it felt like a feral beast's biorhythm embodied on celluloid. KSA
A tense edge of your seat film that pulls no punches Solange
Grimy, Gritty and Gob-smackingly Gripping! gemma owen
The Godfather meets Shameless - a coming of age tale revenge-thriller. Rarely does a film work so well across the genres. Unmissable. jayne turner
A tense, paranoid, warped-morality crime tale with a brilliantly restrained portrait of callous mumsiness from Oscar-nominated Jackie Weaver Theo Delaney
Powerful and nerve-wracking crime drama set in the dark and mysterious world of a dysfunctional Australian family. Francessca Coulson
Edge of your seat all the way Rollercoaster. great story , great acting. Melanie hunt
Brutal and dramatic this film is one that will haunt you! R Marshall
Amazing, spectacular and moving hayden r
The title sounds like a cartoon, and it is no less animated, but it is not for kids. Ally MacDonald
In a dark, forbidden and dangerous world you have to make the right choices to become the Leader of the pack. Malco Nicholsont
Living in desperate times being alive was his only crime. Den lewis
The most gripping crime thriller to come out of Australia since Chopper. Rob Proietti
Excellent film kim
Feuding families are for real, in this brooding crime thriller: a gripping journey through Aussie gangsterland! Alison Whiteoak
Chopper meets Sopranos in edgy Melbourne-based dysfunctional family crime drama with a mollycoddling matriarchal central character. Alan Wardrop
Animal Kingdom portrays the madness of a mother's overwhelming self-deluding love for her sons. Pure evil beautifully enacted. Jed
With nods to Scorsese & Coppola, AK simmers confidently, whilst delicious turns by Pearce and Weaver make this more than just The Ozfather. Sam
A family of harden criminals taken on the Australian Sweeney in this brutal thriller. alan mac
A classy tale of crime that is shocking but utterly believable Hannah
It swept the board for good reasons. This film is the best film out this year. a must see kiki_725
If you like good films, you're gonna love this one! Lasata
After his mother's death, a young boy is left with his family of criminals, it's down to a detective to stop him from following suit. Kirk Eastment
A tense meditation on flight or fight syndrome, amid a dysfunctional Australian household. Think modern Goodfellas mixed with maternal love. Benjamin Southworth
A good film about the unbehaved. Carefully planned, gritty and brave. Steven Elliott
Engaging story of Australian crime in the 80s, gritty, compelling and a refreshing change from the unvarying crime flicks from the states Sarah D
Good film but not the ending was not what I was expecting Unexpected
A lion of a film. superstu
After his mother's death, will 'J' Cody get dragged into the criminal world with his 'new family' or enter the witness protection scheme? knitnut
Slow simmering drama, with flashes of the underlying world of violence the family inhabits, that builds up until its inevitable climax. whohearsahorton
Great film with great acting bexhillsue
Thrilling drama for cloak-and-dagger characters. Aplanat
My favourite film ever! The actors are great, the script is out of this world, 5/5! Mary
Exciting and action packed story of crime and police vigilantism. cristalfiona
Animal Kingdom is a truly dramatic; exciting thriller, packed with action. Anthony
Gritty, tense and twisting thriller with a teenager torn between his family and the cops - who is the more frightening? brocher
'A family you're never shot of and mum's the word!' Rick Brading
'Violent crime figures and there's no place quite like home!' Eithne Brading-Keane
Aussie Holden Caulfield stays with Uncle Fagin and family. Misery ensues. John O'R
Tense & taught, dark & gritty, Animal Kingdom delivers with an outstanding performance from Jackie Weaver. Paul
Savage, deftly-paced nerve-jangler set in 80s Melbourne; Weaver chills as the morally vacuous matriarch of a family of career criminals. JayneH
A mesmeric, tragic account of a criminal clan facing its day of reckoning, with stoical teen J finding that loyalty can be a fatal virtue. Nick T
The most dangerous place to be is with your family! Ms K
A gripping gangster fest, David Michod has the gangland genius touch! Loppy
To be honest, it was not what I was expecting at all, it was way better than all my expectations, absolutely terrific :) Mark R
If you like crime thrillers then Animal Kingdom is one to watch out for. Edge of the seat stuff. Steven Barnes
A crime matriarch understands why animals eat their young before choking on the youngest in the litter. LesR
You can choose your friends but now comes the time to choose your family. Susie
An engaging Australian family crime drama, with some convincingly menacing performances, definitly worth a watch. Nadia J
Scary and action packed - get your popcorn and settle back for the ride! nicholalw
A well-scripted crime epic, gripping from start to finish and blatently avoiding bland and throughly overused character stereotypes. Anon.
Aussie Sopranos? This film has it all, gritty thriller with a twist, must see movie of 2011. jade bennett
Gritty, slow burning and gripping, jackie Weaver delivers a performance of polished steel. Janie H
As crime thrillers go, this film ranks up there with the best of them.Very brutal at times, it takes you on a tense and nerve jangling ride. Lawrence
Dramatic, insightful, tense, edge of your seat stuff from an excellent, exciting and up and coming director. Paul D
Brutal, gritty, realism without out all the fake overblown Hollywood nonsense. Neil Molyneux
Eye-opening violence. Keeps you on the edge of your seat but with a horrified look on your face throughout! buzzybev
Spectacular to say the very least! David Miller
Makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up! mfqy94
The only film you need to watch this year!!!! tomtom07
Compelling tale of criminal life and police Vigilantism. Munkee
It's in the Jason Bourne class. andy p
Ferocious, dark edge of seat thriller from OZ as a detective tries to save Josh from self-destruction amid his scary criminal family. Allan Mees
Fantastic action packed drama with dark and violent undertones. mariamunkey
Edge of the seat drama! stumper
He endured the death of his mother, but can he survive living with his family when they take him in? Jay
Best film I've seen so far this year. glowgirl
17 year old Josh, after watching his Mum die, has to survive in a gangland foster family while a detective trys to save him. Philiboy
Violence, drugs & foul language. Animal Kingdom. The ultimate crime movie. Vinu
Rough, gritty but well worth a watch. Paulspx
Movie with an Australian setting, about family devestated by drugs and crime well worth watching! Worriedmum
Engaging brutality. Sfancy
Animaltastic film, one not to be missed with a shocking and yet inevitable ending!! Emmab
A brilliant movie but if Australia is really like this then Quantas is going out of business. Skippy and Kylie this is not! Kevin Kirk
This film was dramatic and had a lot of action in it, I enjoyed it a lot. Snowted
Gripping film! GiuConnolly
"Neighbours" it isn't. G Denman
Absolutely thrilling film , i loved it. Twinklenicci
Only two words needed "instant classic" Purpleshoes
Most anticipated film of the year. Paul
Completely gripping, and very well acted. Just fantastic! Emily
Great Aussie film, best film i have seen this month Al
A heartfelt film, gripped by intensity and action. Natalie Coates
The destructive evolution of the beasts within us. Jenny
Animal kingdom is interesting and compelling and is acted brilliantly, by far the best movie I have seen so far. Cos
Is a brooding intimate clear-eyed look at the precipitous downfall of a family in the Melbourne underworld. k83atie
Animal Kingdom is a triumph of animalism! ZorroUK
Gripping, breathtaking, one of those rare movies that never has a dull moment and spectacular in terms of acting and story. Fiz
Gripping, tense, exciting with superb performances! Karen
A tremendously exciting and challenging Australian thriller that builds unnervingly to a stunning conclusion. keithp
The brutal Animal Kingdom takes you somewhere you don't want go. It's a fight with your conscience but it compels you to watch. Addictive. Lindy
Incredible, gutsy and raw the best film of the year. Laura C
Think your family are no good, wait for this bunch. Great performances (Jacki Weaver). Some brutal, violent scenes. David Michôd: inventive. Paul Wilson
Keeps you enthralled from the opening sequence to the closing credits. Edge of the seat viewing. The Master
Great script that builds a powerful atmosphere in an unassuming way, perfectly complimenting an impressive cast. Stunning film! Matt Lee
The best thing to come out of Australia since Kylie Minogue carrying a crate of Castlemaine 4X!! Adam
Aussie Hollywood produces a solid crime drama. Henry
Totally awesome, has to be seen to understand the gripping story line, will take your breath away. Denice
Romper Stomper in the nineties, Rabbit Proof Fence in the naughties and now the Aussies can boast of Animal Kingdom! Tuftypaws
The Animal kingdom is pure magic, majestic in every way possible and pure gun filled art! Tommo Bourlet
Is crime meant to be this entertaining. HAPPYShere
Families....bloody families....bloody families. Nicodemus
Excellent Aussie crime drama thoroughly deserving of its across-the-board rave reviews. Joshua John
Great film realy enjoyed it would recommend it 5 out of 5. Marcus
An Australian "Goodfellas" - full of grim, unrelenting tension. Andrew Dommett
Totally involved throughout this film: 1st class! Karen
Compelling and dramatic film with a good story. aj2934
Animal Kingdom is a must see film...loved it. Lizd
A dingo-eat-dingo study of life in Melbourne. Douglas Richardson
A gritty look at the trials and tribulations of a teen caught in a web of deceit, trapped in the snake pit from which there's no escape. What's your poison?
It got my heart thumping, gritty compelling viewing. Joanne
Mesmerizing and grim, it assuredly draws the watcher in through mounting tension exploring the downside of human nature. K Koya
A deep, refreshingly sophisticated and uncompromising foray into the relationships of a criminal family in dissolution. Matt Jones
Begins as unassuming as its blank faced lead, until you both realise too late that you are trapped in the grip of his vicious crime family. Paul De Graves
Excellent performances and assured direction make this the crime drama of the year. Ian McMillan
"Powerful crime drama, scary and grim but also engrossing and very well acted. This is what the new wave of crime films should look like." Karen
Fast dark and exciting, a must see! Decky
They say you can't choose your family, they say crime doesn't pay, they say blood runs thicker than water....they were right. Dan Stathers
Based on a true story, teenager Jay is faced by the darkest nature of his family who will send you to the edge of your seat. Rivetting! D Kanny
Nobody needs these neighbours Smeddons
An uncompromising and bleak tale of a criminal family haunted by the past but longing for the future. Shane Hall
Gripping tale of the gradual disintegration of a Melbourne gangster family, witnessed by one young man struggling against assimilation. Scentnoodle
A shocking journey from the age of innocence into family rupture and the primal powers of destruction and creation. Yannis
Intensly emotional turmoil, portraying the gritty morality of human endeavour. Eliza Crawford
A boy, a girl, a family of crime; and one life altering choice. S J Lavery
Moody thriller depicting one mans struggle against his conscience,family and the grimy Melbourne underground. GB
Dark forboding thriller about how one man battles his conscience and family against the Melbourne underground. PS Baker
Australian Mafi crime thriller at it's best. alialiath
A Melbourne crime family 'made' from down-under. Freddie 'Paws' Kane
To miss it would be criminal! Al B
An very Australian mix of "The Departed", "Goodfellas" and "Traffic" delivered with the pace of Glenn McGrath and a new ball. Bonzer Mate! Glen Gilchrist @mrgpg
Excellent!! Abi harding
Down-underworld! Mr B
Distinctly antipodean; thrilling, gripping, multilayered and intense at times, an enjoyable and darkly believable story. aliogilvie
Crime,Grime,and ridiculously Sublime. kopikats
This awesome new film has you on the edge of your seat wanting more. If you're after an action packed thrill ride look no further. Mr J Curry
A gritty and taught thriller that pulls back the curtain on the darker side of Melbourne. Ash Edwards
Gritty, Aussie, extended family chaotic hell. Stu Quick
Guy Pearce proves again what a good range he has. Phil Lockwood
Visceral crime film with a matriarch that would make any hardened criminal need a change of undies. A film that makes this Aussie proud! 5/5. Michael Cicirko
AK is the best movie2come out of Aus since the boomerang(it went back though).Seriously brilliant movie, eerie, dark & disturbing throughout. upinmcleod
Intriguing and suspense full. Very gripping to the end. Korny1
This film is gutsy and captivating. clind
One of the best action dramas I've ever seen. stephen
Wow fantastic explosive. angus1953
Fast, gritty and thrilling, Animal Kingdom sucks you into a Kafka-esque vortex of nightmarish half-reality. olivia a-s
It's a whole world away from Disney's Animal Kingdom. isobel99
A fantastically moving film and a true representation of the lasting effects of drug addiction on a family. Rosey Harris
Underground capers Down-Under result in more bloodshed than Tosca at the Sydney Opera House. DJC50
The Sopranos and The Wire had a baby, and it was deported to Australia. A superlative crime story. Ben H
Brilliant acting that will make you think twice when someone says your family always wishes the best for you. Tai Yang
Dread and fear simmer menacingly beneath the surface in this bleak examination of a crime family's conflict with Melbourne law enforcement. Nicola Lester
Quite simply a beautiful yet chilling portrayal of Melbourne's underbelly. Ben feetham
Grotesquely riveting. Weaver deserves Oscar. MarzQ
From a part of Oz that isn't in the tourist guides, a gripping drama that tests whether family ties bind tighter than criminal lies. rjmiddy
Utterly brilliant, totally devastating: a haunting family saga fractured by cold brutality, bitter egos and unraveling loyalties- unmissable. Andrew Smith
It is unremittingly grim but highly compelling and the carefully considered psychology and character motivation make it a pleasure to watch. Barney Netherwood
Violence and intrigue from down under . Chris Pearce-webb
Powerful, slowburning crime-family drama of love, betrayal and vengeance, with a strong smart script and superior performances. teresa zaleska
A new look on modern morality in complicated world we all live in today! S Aveline
brilliant Australian film, tense and emotive it's a thrilling tale of a young man caught up in crime. Sumeyra Alagoz
A gripping and grueling story of a young man caught between "cops" and "robbers", its a thriller in every sense of the word. Stefan Pearson
Gripping intense thriller, clever storyline and great acting. Sharon Izod
James Frecheville gives a brooding, powerful performance as the white sheep of the family, in this beautifully shot masterpiece. mel, sussex
A trip down under you would think twice about taking the family on. Mandimum
Strong, powerful performances - especially by Guy Pearce with a gripping and emotionally charged story. Gary Jennings
A haunting tale of the desperation and devastation caused by the love of a toxic family. Michael Tull
A phenomenal accomplishment, absolutely remarkable as a debut. Totally riveting as it methodically unfolds, and it's quite unpredictable. James Coombes
Artfully shot and blisteringly real portrait of a brutal criminal family, fighting destruction from within. Jonathan, sussex
Film noir meets rites-of-passage with low-key performances creating palpable sensations of dread, ending with a tense, fast paced climax. SuzieQ
Murder, crime and turmoil in the part of underworld Australia where the sun doesnt always shine. Steve Springett
The family will protect you. And then will eat you alive. Monstapa
Strewth! freonbingo
Great, gruesome, harrowing and compelling movie that will keep you suspended until the last minute. Triggerdog
A bare knuckle-ride into the dark world of an Australian crime family. Powerful, shocking and moving. Morton
A film that redefines tense from a director who redefines potential. Amardeep Singh Sandhu
Gripping, clever and original - after watching this you'll never complain about your family again. amanda robertson
Amazing action that kept me on the edge of my seat from begining to end and just made me want to go in and watch it again. Rebecca Woodroof
No dancing queens, no talking kangaroos, no oversized knives: a former penal colony has produced the best crime drama in years. Kate
Think mood and performance, stir in a slowly coiling plot and leave to linger in your mind; strong performances all round. Ben Jones
A cult classic in the making - with the spirit of Ma Barker throughout, truly gripping. Ravneek Reena Bains
Animal Kingdom is gripping and original. Not your bog-standard thriller. Hannah Muirhead
The Circle of Life isn't as nice in this Animal Kingdom, but it has a very different kind of magic. JoeGBallad
An original and intelligent film, with all parts brilliantly cast. Richard Oliver
The Godfather Down Under! Faye Lester
ELEGANTLY ENGAGING........THEN BRUTALLY EPIC! Luke Stevenson
Knife-edge, Aussy thriller uncovering disturbing gangland family values and loyalties. Terrifying! gasbag
Well cast, well shot, well recieved! Chloe
Squalid, dirty, visceral and mean, this film lifts up the stone to reveal the darker side of humanity that lives underneath. Peter Carrol
A distinctly Australian film with amazing performances from a great gem of a cast, recommended watching for crime thriller fans. Sinem Alagoz
Brilliantly directed pathos of family bonds and tension kept me on the edge of my seat, heart pounding and hand to my mouth, gasping. T Chance
A fizzy, moody, melting pot of outlandish crime antics. John Beavis
A gripping spine tingler a must see, the very best of crime thrillers, poor j would have been better off being raised by dingoes. potluck
Darker than Darwin - will make you look again those who share your blood. S Kirtley
A dramatic Ozzy portrayal of a teen thrust into a violent new family life. emma b
A gritty crime thriller featuring newcomer James Frecheville's portrayal of J, a young man torn between justice and gangster family. K. Weston
Great sense of menace, superb lead performance from the mum, 30 minutes too long. squidgybo
Fast action plot that takes you on a journey through Australia's underworld. Laurence
Cool, Gritty film and enjoyable couple of hours. NeddyC
Tense, gripping and exciting. Perfect night for all the thriller fans. Paul Ginsberg
Down Under ups its game. Caroline
This gritty and terrifyingly real film instantly takes its place as a modern-day classic. Chris in Lincoln
An unusual and moving crime thriller with outstanding performances from Guy Pearce and Jacki Weaver. Oliver Kemsley
Unprecedented, startlingly brilliant one and a half hour long climax! Don't spoil the thrill, stop reading! Go and Watch. Manoj B
A finely crafted film which is both shocking and thought provoking. djslangland
You can choose your friends but would you choose this family? Probably not. aiw1952
great australian gangster crime movie. anwen
Amazing extremely gripping wonderful film. candy
After Jacki Weaver's spine-chilling turn as Smurf, you'll never look at your granny the same way again. mattstheone
You've seen The Godfather. Now meet The Godmother. She makes Don Corleone look like Grandpa Walton. TracyD
ANIMAL KINGDOM is better than The Town and Winter's Bone and those films are good! ryancd
Absolute ace! The Wild West acted out on the city streets in brigt daylight. macmatt43
The poster doesn't do it justice. michael
One of the most realistically disturbing movies you are ever likely to see. Brid Maher
A heartbreaking world, shows an outlaw family violently imploding. A tale of Gangster crime and punishment. Without the wise guys. John Blakemore
A thrilling must-see for crime film aficionados. Babs Sharman
Animal Kingdom is a true great of Australian cinema and can be counted among the greats such as American History X and The Godfather. Karn McCloud
A gritty hard-hitting movie which brings the real world and real trouble into the face of a self-obsessed syndical society. Film fanatic 2011
Fantastic, gripping and an edge of your seat film. Daisydooda
A new gangster favourite, earmarking itself alongside the likes of the Godfather, A must see to watch again and again. Paula
Shakespeare ups the Sopranos Down Under. Neil R
Goodbye Goodfellas,Godfathers go.Kingdom is here its the real show. rejhas
An electrifying crime-triller set in Australia that explores relationships, trust and betrayal within a mob family. flyleen
Thrilling with such a tense atmosphere and terrifying violence which culminates in the most exciting climax to a film in a long while. PhilDallman
The film is about survival, adaptation and defining good and bad. If you enjoy powerful crime thrillers, this one is deinately a hit. Sydney
dark and gritty australian gangland crime movie. aequitas
Gritty thriller. Caroline
Think that life won't get any worse when you lose your parents when young, think again because some families are not estranged for nothing! Granpa Bob.
Deliberately paced and brooding in atmosphere, the movie is an effective introduction to the life of this family. Zapgaia
A modern tale of family, drugs, murder, popes and smurfs. Tim
Totally immersive, tense Aussie thriller about a Melbourne crime family that pulls no punches. stevie dunlop
I think it has a great storyline, terrific acting and is thoroughly enjoyable. sue cawte
Slow-burning exhilaration. An Australian true story that packs a wallop. This crime film rivals some of Hollywood's best. Simon Davenport
A soft rock version of Carlito's way. mother999
A heartrending, downward-spiraling tragedy of such great import. Proof that Hollywood isn't the only place where masterpieces are made. comingback
Grim, brutal & gritty. This chilling film is the best crime drama since The Krays. ellie hudson
They survive because they're strong. You may think you are one of the strong ones, but you're not. You're one of the weak ones. issie
This is not little fluffy animals with endearing traits just J struggling to come to terms with life amongst his criminal and amoral family. Katharine Parker
Shocking, gripping and with great performances. Highly recommended! AC
Moving, thrilling, dashing - this movie proves once again that indies beat Hollywood studios hands on. Nra
A must watch, realistic spine chiller! Roy Trivedy
Animal Kingdom is an exhilarating, dark and thrilling film that is a real credit to Australian cinema. Keifer Asare-Antwi
A fascinating crime thriller. K.R.
A disquieting but ultimately enlightening view of Melbourne's dark underbelly. Lex
Animal Kingdom ROARS!!! tina00
A compelling, intelligent, strongly scripted, brooding psychological thriller that shows Aussie suburban crime at its darkest. Daisybeebee
AWESOME MOVIE A MUST WATCH. saM
Gripping and intense, a must see film. S
Animal Kingdom is a gritty trawl through the Melbourne underworld following the awakening of a teenager to crime. Mac
A suspenseful thriller set in Melbourne, Ramsey St it ain't! Karenb
Chopper meets Macbeath in the Thunderdome. Helen Keller
Misplaced loyalty and surviving moral manipulation is the name of the game throughout the twists and turns of this brutally intense thriller. Christopher Harris
What a thought provoking film, makes you think of it long after it has finished. Alex
Tense and intense, Animal Kingdom is a brutal film about one young man's choice: family loyalty, social responsibility or self-preservation. Bob K
An ocker shocker as blagger rellies stagger bereaved teen. Phillip Rees
The gripping crime story of the Melbourne underbelly, frightening and yet mesmerising simultaneously. alythonian
A very real, gritty, atmospheric look at what goes on behind closed doors. Thoroughly provoking. Scott Whitston
Completely gripping. Jacki Weaver is TERRIFYING. The entire cinema gasped throughout - extraordinarily brilliant film. Tracey Cormack
A bracing portrayal of an Aussie gangland family trapped in circumstances of their own making like bitter and still-dangerous rats in a cage. Tracey
Excellent tense gripping drama of family caught up in the Australian criminal underworld. Jaysea
Explosive not to be missed movie, pitching you on the edge of your seat... Groovy. Amanda Allt
Brilliant film with a sensitive pace and an immersive character development. Stephen
See it to believe the beauty. Kim
The underbelly of Aussie society that makes you sick to your stomach. gill
ANIMAL Agile Novel Innovative Man Against Lawlessness KINGDOM Kinsmen Inciting Netherworld Gangs DOMinion. brettpereira
Gripping tale of Guts and Glory. Amazing fights and terrific Story. Good over Evil always Triumphs. Cinema-goers await with Goosebumps! riel3
The twists and turns give your stomach a turn and puts the UNDERworld into DownUNDER! bnp40
A refreshing Aussie ripper of a take on crime thriller, a world apart from the predictable lock stock or goodfella inspired fare. A Smith
Amazing. Was one of the best things I've seen in a long time! Would definitely recommend it! Fyonna.
Mum-umental in every sense. m.hanniffy
The majesty of dramatic crime acting, makes this film a must see. Matthew Daniel
Captivating from start to finish. Superb acting, realistic and gripping. Elaine Manning
Animal Kingdom is the best Australian film in a long time. And it has a character called Smurf. Erason
James Frecheville is 'up the creek without a paddle', not even Steve Irwin could survive this bunch of crocs. amandamills
Heroine dealing, police brutality and a criminal grandmother interweave to create this powerful Australian drama. Kate Blake
A grippingly lean, mean, violent Australian crime thriller which is also surprisingly and convincingly about family values. Vic Hallett
A story that interweaves the very fabric of what a crime-family should stand for and makes you think, is blood really thicker than water? Suro
Compelling, gripping, and powerful with outstanding acting from the cast. Highly recommended. Alkamal Rshman
Blood is thicker than water but runs as free in this visceral meditation on natural selection; in the urban jungle only the strong survive. Steve Rooney
A spine-tingling, seat-gripping thriller. Annmarie Baxter
Moody, brooding family crime drama, with Jacki Weaver who was at school with my friend Margaret, AND Guy Pearce. Sara
After the death of his Mother, Joshua 'J' Cody is flung into a world where nothing is as it seems and everyone is to be mistrusted. Isabell
God help his friends, because the Devil chose his family. Alistair Richardson
The claws of criminal menace; raw characters, inventive narrative, beautiful framing. It will take you by surprise. Bang, it made me jump. Monk
Brutal, Rebellious, Inventive, Limber, Likable, Ignoble, Asinine, Naughty, Triumphant (Brilliant). Romeo
I may need a guard to protect me from this nailbiting thriller. lydia56
Neighbours - The Director's Cut. kissmeraas
A truly classic film that will grip and drag you "down under" into the gritty, armed and dangerous world of criminals in Melbourne. Baz
Strap yourself in for a fast paced, gritty thrill ride, with action sequences that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Kim Phillips
A tense and very rewarding thriller, an auspiciously self-assured debut played in a very low-key style - very worth catching! Glyn Everett
It's hard being a teenager today - especially when your kinship carers are three gangsters hell-bent on revenge. Richard Benjamin
An original fresh piece of movie-making that keeps you glued to the screen and rooting for the main character right up to the final shot. mark sedge
For this self confessed junkie of the crime thriller genre, Animal Kingdom ticked all the boxes and a few more. Charles007
The Sundance Festival is a brillaint showcase of cinematic promise – David Michôd has this in spades! A. Crossdale
Amazing. A must see! Liam Rathbone
Perfect in every way! Simon
Forgot Summer bay or Neighbours, this is the real Australia and Animal Kingdom follows in the same vain as Gomorrah or Casino. O Orupabo
Sharp and brutal, with a plot marked with landmines. Heather
Australian film making at its best - Jacqui Weaver is a deserved Oscar recipient in the strongest matriarch role you may ever see. Neil Peach
Animal kingdom appears to be an exciting new thriller, bound to win an oscar! ClaireFrodsham
Plenty of suspense action with some nail biting and scary twist - turns,lots of blood and deaths. sc
Sweet Grandma Cody brings innocent 'J' to live with her lawless family, her violent sons fuelled by the honey-tongued venom of her dreams. N Bruen
Tough stuff from down under. George Spedding
If this is David Mechods debut I can't wait to see more. Animal Kingdom is an intense, skilfully researched and methodically played story. GF, Edinburgh
An everyday story of predators in a not-so-wild animal park - the underworld of Melbourne, Australia. Roger W.
This gripping thrill-ride is a literal tour de force, plunging you into the murky heart of a family home-cum-violent criminal underworld. freakfire
With outstanding performances, David Michod uses the backdrop of the Melbourne underworld to explore the true meaning of family. Grace Kirby
Animal Kingdom is a tale of the survival of the fittest, brilliantly portrayed, and gripping from start to finish. Jo Simmons
This is the best of over 100 new release filmsI have seen over the past two years - a thoughtful, clever and well acted film. Lex Marshall
A staggering debut - but a master has the power to enthrall the viewer by such nihilism and the fate of a band of sociopaths. Edina Lengyel
A gritty, gripping, visceral drama with fantastic understated performances, David Michôd is Australia's Shane Meadows. Allan Brown
A destructive crime family at war with each other or a corrupt police force - trust no-one but your own instincts. choc chip cookie
Bought out the animal in me! John Percival
Explosive brutal dynamic action packed drama at its best thrilling to the very end leading to a crescendo of an ending! barry hope
Riveting but intense story of crime and police vigilantism in 80's Australia. Exceptionally good performances from all. Andy Cross
Naive kid with good heart moves in with mad, bad, relatives. Explosive results with compelling moral dilemma. MadGibbon
Film of 2011 with out a doubt. Robert Ayers
Blood is thicker than water and flows freely in this gritty tale of the Australian underworld. Dave Cowie
For those wanting to 'Escape Down Under', this film will make you think again.Ian Robinson East London
A riveting....thrilling...in your face, blockbuster! suzzee langton
Shockingly gripping and brutally realistic! indigoflower
Gripping and chilling! this tale takes you on a roller-caoster ride through a chaotic compelling storyline. fiona tara
A compelling story that you'll lose your soul in. debbie pearce
Gripping,chilling,fabulous! deb dee
Australia is a nation with a rich culture and wildlife, one thing that doesn't spring to mind is the film industry. This changes NOW. M D Turner
Fear and Loathing in Melbourne. Unmissable! Adrian Thornton
Simply Explosive! Erika M
More twists and turns than a dark rollercoaster ride in the underbelly of the spaghetti junction. Paul Brown
Wildly wickedly wonderful. ella mar
Powerful, edge of your seat cinema from the outset to the final frame - don't miss this! TC
This is a dramatic, well-made film that haunts the mind; Highly cinematic, meticulously crafted, thrilling and poignant in equal measure. Daniel from Huddersfield
Gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. mandypower123
A movie whose focus on the personalities of its criminals suggests an Australian answer to "Goodfellas," minus the wise-guy humor. HOPSTER
Truly a story about survival of the fittest, brilliant! alliejenkins
Animal Kingdom is a truly harrowing portrayal of underbelly life, one that deserves to be recognised for many years to come. Jamie Neish
Brutal, breathtaking, believable - makes me grateful for my families normality! dawnstar
A gangser movie like no other. Conveying the fear, paranoia and hoplessness of the criminal lifestyle, my stomach was in knots watching it. Wayne Chisnall
A thriller that will keep you glued to your seat till the end. ladycassie
An Animal Kingdom like never before; brooding vipers, two-faced rats, cunning foxes and the fanciful unicorn of hope; it's all here! Andy P
A gripping portrayal of the loyalties and divisions of a family immersed in crime; spiralling out of control at the mere flick of a switch. Richard Foster
Animal Kingdom is like an Edward Hopper painting brought to life - breathtaking cinematography reinforces the darkness of the subject matter. Hollytorious
Totally awesome!! G-man
Raw and real, brilliantly acted, a refreshing change from the usual Hollywood candied gloss. AnnaG
If you enjoy intelligent crime movies with a difference this is a must see, and spread the word. Andrew Kent
Fantastic film capturing the excitement and adrenaline rush of revenge. petersnitch
An intelligent well-acted, Ozzie movie. David Michod achieves the holy grail, an original non-stereotypical crime movie. McCoul
Blood is thicker than water...or is it? debut
This film reveals everything from Down under! Ann Owen
A cinematic trip Down Under to understand the battle of one teenage underdog against the the undertow of underworld, Undeniably riveting! Biggest Fish
Absolutley fantastic. lesleyrw
The family you would want to forget!! SirIssac
Explosive and gripping! iona
See's the savage side of the ulitmate animal - man. Emma Dowler
The pride of the pack this beast of a film will unleash the animal within you. paulzim
Out of these ashes comes an Australian masterpiece. For us all to enjoy. For an eternity. arhselk
Compelling, dynamic and magnetic. piglet
SIMPLY STUNNING. KERRY
Gripping - Australian Noir at its best. johnnyr
A brutal, gritty, riveting plethore of sustained mindless violence from the Men Down Under. John
With a corrupt police force on one side and a crazy criminal family on the other - Which way would you turn ? Frank Everett
A chilling rite of passage set in the Melbourne underworld. Nino Amoroso
Teen window to the underbelly world of Aussie crime godmothers! Teresa Kearney
In a word, brilliant. Michôd combines grittiness and human interest in this raw, and occasionally brutal, coming-of-age thriller. Stuey Blacklock
Great Australian film about a teenager trying to survive in a criminal extended family. Is full of suspense and features a great cast. Ray
Frecheville in the soup with his crackers family! Talisgirl
A gritty film full of suspense. The Broker
An off kilter drama that's less loving family saga and more a bloody revenge fueled fight for life. Eliza, Exeter UK
