Risky Business: Australian Movies on Netflix That Explore High-Stakes Jeopardy

Put on your swimsuit and sunscreen, because we're going to the beach. But not just any beach! We're going diving into Netflix's vast ocean of content to find some of the best Australian-made movies that explore high-stakes jeopardy—the kind that makes you want to curl up with a blanket on your sofa until it's over. So grab your snacks, get comfy, and let's explore some of the most brutal Australian movies on Netflix!

"The Square" (2008)

Listed as a neo-noir thriller, The Square is directed by Nash Edgerton from a script by none other than Nashe’s brothers, Joel Edgerton and Matthew Dabner. In this film, a man and a woman having an affair have conducted a plan to get some money. Unlike many Australians that would turn to gambling at Olympia Casino in Australia and try their luck by playing casino games online, they had a different plan in mind. The plan is to steal the money and cover it up by setting a house on fire, but they get caught up in a dangerous scheme that takes place in a wealthy Sydney suburb. The project explores Australian society as well as the lengths people will go for power and money.

Starring David Roberts and Claire van der Boom, Joel wrote The Square when he was only 21 years old but shelved it because he felt it wasn't strong enough. After convincing him that this would make an excellent thriller, together with some help from producer David Lightfoot, Joel encouraged Nash to pursue writing more projects like this.

"The Rover" (2014)

In 2014, Australian filmmakers released the dystopian Western drama The Rover. Written and directed by David Michôd, this film based on a story by Michôd and Joel Edgerton follows a man who tries to track down his stolen car in a post-apocalyptic world after it was taken from him during an attack on his home. On his quest, he finds himself in dangerous situations that force him to make difficult choices about whether or not he should trust those around him.

The movie starring Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson was nominated seven times at the AACTA Award for Best Film:

●  Best Direction
●  Best Supporting Actress for Susan Prior
●  Best Production Design
●  Best Supporting Actor for Robert Pattinson
●  Best Original Music Score
●  Best Lead Actor for Guy Pearce
●  Best Sound

Ultimately, the film was awarded Best Supporting Actress for Susan Prior, and Best Sound.

"The Reef" (2010)

The Reef is an Australian survival horror film written and directed by Andrew Traucki and produced by Michael Dorman and Richard Wilson. It was released on 13 May 2010 at Canes Film Festival and later at Korea's Pusan Film Festival on 10 October 2010 and later released in Australia toward the end of the same year.

The plot involves a group of friends who get stranded on the Great Barrier Reef after their boat capsizes while sailing. A great white shark stalks them as they try to swim to a nearby island.

In the film, we learn about the dangers of the ocean and how people struggle to survive in harsh conditions. Moreover, this movie is based on the true story of Ray Boundy, who was the only survivor of a similar incident in 1983. Traucki also wrote, directed, and produced a spiritual sequel The Reef: Stalked, published in 2022, which features a cast of characters surviving a great white shark attack. The film received positive reviews from critics, who praised its thrilling and suspenseful story, as well as the performances of the cast.

"Animal Kingdom" (2010)

The film is a slow burn that builds up to a violent ending. In this crime drama, the main character is a teenager taken in by his estranged grandmother and her criminal family. In this film, we learn about the dynamics of the family's criminal enterprise and the harsh realities of corrupted life in the underworld of Australia. It also has an interesting look at the way the family operates in different ways depending on where you live and how much money you have.

The movie starts with Cody coming home from school and immediately got involved with his mother's criminal enterprise. He tries to get out of it but ends up having nowhere else to go. The movie feels like an Australian version of "Goodfellas".

The script was written by David Michôd based on events involving the Pettingill family from Melbourne, Australia where two Victorian police officers were shot and killed in 1988. Trevor Pettingill and Victor Peirce, along with Anthony Leigh Farrell and Peter David McEvoy escaped conviction in 1991.

"Killing Ground" (2016)

In 2016, Australian director Damien Power released "Killing Ground," a horror thriller that explores high-stakes jeopardy in the Australian bush. The plot follows two characters Harriet Dyer as Samantha "Sam" Shaw and Ian Meadows as Ian Smith, a couple on a camping trip, who become the target of a gang of hunters in this dark psychological thriller.

Sam and Ian set up camp next to an abandoned campsite but soon find themselves stalked by two killers who murdered a whole family nearby. But they fail to pay close attention to the early warning signs. The film is a tense and gripping thriller that has been well-received by both critics and audiences, many of whom praised its gritty realism and struggle for survival.

Netflix Has Some Pretty Intense Movies to Watch

Netflix has a great selection of movies, and there are some that are pretty intense. If you're looking for something to watch on the streaming service, but don't want to get sucked into a world of high-stakes jeopardy and danger, these movies are not for you. But if your idea of an ideal evening involves watching movies that will send the chills down your spine, then these films should definitely be on your radar!