Stories from Life: Reviews of The Travellers and Kangaroo
In recent weeks, two new Australian films have quietly demanded our attention: Kangaroo and The Travellers. Both films are unpretentious, sensitive, and crafted with subtlety, blending comedy and poignancy in a way that is rare in Australian cinema, distinct from the styles of The Man from Snowy River or Mad Max.
Kangaroo: A Semi-Biographical Tale
Directed by Kate Woods, known primarily for TV work and the 2000 feature Looking for Alibrandi, Kangaroo is a charming film inspired by a true story. It offers a semi-biographical look at a man’s life, focusing on his evolving preoccupations. The film opens with two episodes introducing its characters. Before the title appears, a young Indigenous girl named Charlie (played by Lily Whiteley) is shown running across a vast outback landscape, accompanied by bounding kangaroos.
The Travellers: Warmth and Subtlety
The Travellers features strong performances by Luke Bracey, Brian Brown, and Susie Porter, and stands out for its warmth and nuanced storytelling. Like Kangaroo, it subtly explores human experiences with a quiet, affecting tone.
“The Travellers … quietly rendered in a way that is not all that common or recognised in our films.” — Brian McFarlane, Cinema, 5 November 2025
Summary
Both films represent a quieter, more sensitive direction in Australian cinema, valuing subtle human stories over grand spectacle.
Author’s summary: These two quietly powerful Australian films explore human life with warmth and subtlety, offering a refreshing change from traditional cinematic dramatics.