La Familia: Un Culto Australiano

It is obvious where this story has been taken from in recent Aussie history and it throws down a real challenge when bringing it to a streaming series, but in the steady hands of Grace Otto it becomes compelling viewing.

There is a stellar cast involved but it must be said that if this was a standalone movie, Miranda Otto as Adrienne Beaufort, gives an Oscar worthy performance and seems to inhabit her character as it evolves with each episode. Teresa Palmer is exceptional as the now grown Amy and her character embodies all that you would expect from someone who had been raised in such a cult until the age of thirteen and still maintain such an odd connection with its' leader as an adult. Julia Savage as the young Amy is mesmerizing and someone to watch as is Lily LaTrobe playing Asha.

For me, Guy Pearce is not stretched particularly in his role but Kate Mulvany is a powerhouse in her character whilst Anna Lise Phillips and Erroll Shand both reveal the behaviour that is so commonly observed in people caught under the spell of a cult leader.

I was initially hesitant to watch this when it was first advertised as the thought of watching, however potentially fictitious, a variation of what had been revealed on investigative programmes years ago was not all that appealing, but it deals with a subject that we should be made aware of and is exceptional viewing.