Animal

Animal, a 2006 Australian psychological drama film directed by Ross Kerr, revolves around the tormented character of Andrew Latham, played by Jacob Smith, a hardened and aggressive young man. Born into a wealthy and influential family, Andrew is the son of Frank Latham, an industrialist with substantial power and wealth. Having spent years living abroad, Andrew returns to Australia, drawn by the news that his father is ailing and battling illness. Frank, desperate to secure his family's position and business interests, sets out to find Andrew and persuade him to return home to Australia. Initially resistant to his father's wishes, Andrew is swayed by a combination of love for his family and a twisted sense of loyalty. However, things take a darker turn when Andrew discovers that his father's life is in grave danger due to threats from a number of individuals. Notably, there's Malcolm (Joe Ginotti), a thug who serves as a hired enforcer for a series of shady business partners who seek to capitalize on Frank's waning industrial empire. Fuelled by anger, fear, and a deep-seated sense of injustice, Andrew sets out to protect his father's life, a decision that signals the beginning of a deadly descent into revenge. Having previously lived abroad, Andrew brings a modern world perspective back to the darker, more entrenched world of his hometown. He sees it as a place where power struggles provide endless opportunities for violence. In a testament to his darker nature, Andrew chooses violence as his approach to protect his father. He goes to great lengths to hunt down and eliminate those perceived as threats to Frank's life. However, Andrew's actions create chaos and increasingly impact his relationship with his loved ones. As Andrew's actions become more brazen and violent, his motives are called into question by those around him. His younger sister, Alice (Sharni Vinson), who initially admires her older brother, begins to see him in a different light, concerned about the harm he is causing and the ultimate cost to their family. The tense and foreboding atmosphere of the film creates a sense of suspense as Andrew hurtles down a path of destruction, resulting in tragic outcomes for a number of key characters. Here, the film challenges the viewer to rethink the boundaries of justice and to consider the long-term cost of taking revenge. In a poignant and haunting conclusion, Andrew is confronted by the harm he has inflicted on everyone around him. The film questions whether revenge and brutal force are ever the right answers to problems of family loyalty and an assault on power.