Netflix thriller leaves viewers 'gripped' with retelling of true story
Directed by Thomas M. Wright, The Stranger is a psychological crime thriller that is inspired by the real-life investigation of 13-year-old Daniel Morcombe
Penned and helmed by Thomas M. Wright, the 2022 psychological crime thriller 'The Stranger' draws its inspiration from Kate Kyriacou's factual tome 'The Sting: The Undercover Operation That Caught Daniel Morcombe's Killer'.
Reflecting on the heart-wrenching murder case of 13 year old Daniel Morcombe, the film casts a light on the intricate investigation of a child's kidnapping. It follows undercover detective Mark Frame (portrayed by Joel Edgerton) as he embarks on a covert mission to befriend Henry Teague (played by Sean Harris), the main suspect in the case.
'The Stranger' made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022 within the Un Certain Regard category, subsequently enjoying a select cinema release across Australia. Later that year, it garnered international attention with its launch on Netflix for worldwide streaming.
Boasting an impressive 92 per cent approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, 'The Stranger' was met with widespread acclaim. One critic hailed it as "a standout, a high-octane look into the pursuit of a criminal – a compelling and measured film that delivers," while another described it as "Taut and effective."
In July 2022, amidst concerns over the use of their son's tragedy for promotional gains, Daniel's parents 'demanded' that the filmmakers stop using their late son's name in marketing efforts, reports the Mirror US.
The producers of The Stranger issued a press release regarding the movie's portrayal: "The Stranger is a fictionalised account of the undercover police operation that resulted in a successful murder prosecution.
"With the deepest regard for the family involved, we've omitted any mention of the victim's name from our film, and it contains no representation of the murder's particulars. Nor does it portray the family in any form or fashion.
"The focus instead lies on the unheralded police professionals whose years of service, not to mention their mental and physical well-being, were dedicated to cracking this case alongside others of a similar nature. We had initially reached out to the victim's family during the film's early stages to inform them of the project; however, they opted not to participate – a choice which we continue to honour."
Critics have found favour with the film, one noting: "The Stranger offers strong, subtle performances from its leads, and a freshly vital approach to familiar material."
Praise has also flowed for the director, as one review extols: "Wright artfully directs his film with the kind of precision that'll keep you hanging on to every shot."
Audience reactions have been equally enthusiastic, with one viewer declaring: "Brilliant, just brilliant. Edgy, disturbing, paced, enough without too much being said... do yourself a favour. Plug in and shake yourself."
Another said: "Stunning film. No other film in a long time had me as gripped and absorbed as this, even more so on the second watch. Truly visceral, but there's no denying you need to steel yourself for it.
"I particularly enjoyed the score, and the varying blends of tension and mood drifting throughout. Superb lead performances and a great example of a low budget/big impact production."
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