Locusts

Locusts released in 2019 is a reluctantly riveting narrative that conflates themes of familial ties, guilt, redemption and retribution, highlighted by the riveting performances of Ben Geurens, Nathaniel Dean and Jessica McNamee. This low-key Australian outback-set thriller, directed by Heath Davis and written by Angus Watts, has a nebulous finesse which underpins a poignant message concerning the decaying humanity in modern societies.

The movie stars Ben Geurens as Ryan Black, a tech entrepreneur who is cemented in his cosmopolitan lifestyle in the heart of Silicon Valley. Having shed the dust of his rustic childhood spent in two-horse town Silverton, far west New South Wales, Ryan's life takes an unexpected turn when he is called back home after ten years. The news of his father's death spirals him back to his deteriorated hometown, which he had left behind in pursuit of a dream-filled future.

Ryan reunites with his estranged brother Tyson, brilliantly portrayed by Nathaniel Dean. Tyson - an ex-convict and the complete antithesis of Ryan - serves as an eerie reminder of their father's misdemeanours, a life Ryan managed to dodge. Unresolved issues from their past surge up like a cluster of locusts ready to strip bare the harmony they've painfully achieved.

Jessica McNamee flawlessly essays the character of Isabella, the only bright spark in this gloomy town. Her interactions with the Black brothers form a significant juncture, weaving a critical slice of emotional complexity into the storyline’s arid landscape. Isabella's role, though, is more than a love interest. She encapsulates the struggles of rural women, left behind by men drawn to the allure of big cities, yet managing to preserve her integrity and warmth.

The movie operates on the principle of "actions have consequences," laying bare the stark reality of the characters' lives, their actions, and how they must face the impact later on, brought forward through the intense dialogues and striking cinematography. The harsh, barren outback reflects the lives of its forsaken inhabitants, mirroring the rawness and brutality that lie beneath the surface of their existence. Watts' meticulous writing and Davis' visionary direction work harmoniously to expose the fracture lines in this community, demonstrating how decisions from one's past can forever tarnish the present.

Locusts draw its strength from a solid ensemble cast driven by captivating performances. Ben Geurens, showcasing phenomenal talent, gives breadth to his complex character, masterfully navigating through a labyrinth of repressed emotions, familial turmoil and challenging situations. Nathaniel Dean, on the other hand, is captivating in his portrayal of Tyson, balancing emotional vulnerability and hardened exterior. Jessica McNamee, famed for her role in Meg, shines through in her performance, portraying a strong rural female character defying traditional boundaries.

The stunning cinematography draws out not only the town’s physical dilapidation but also its moral decay, while the intense score ratchets up the tension. The haunting shots of the outback smirk back at the arid lives of its inhabitants while analogies drawn to the locust plague resonates with their collective struggle.

Locusts is far from a conventional thriller. It paints an atmosphere of dread and desperation against a backdrop of social decline amplified by an escalating financial crisis. The film underlines the ironical contrast between the techno-progressive world and the age-old traditions, conflicts and unsaid realities of the rustic outback. The well-constructed storyline exudes the haunting air of an impending debacle, mirroring life's inexorable infestation by past misdemeanours.

Concluding, Locusts breaks away from the traditional thriller conventions and delivers a potent portrayal of the dissonance between urban sophistication and rural desolation. It stands as a testament to the fact that no matter how fast or far we run, the ties of family and the allure of homeland holds an irrefutable pull. It explores humanity's struggle with guilt, redemption, and the enduring hope of rebuilding a broken society. This film is a must-watch for those seeking a thought-provoking narrative that effectively intertwines personal and societal issues.