Stories from life • Brian McFarlane
The Travellers and Kangaroo Reviewed
Brian McFarlane, Cinema, 5 November 2025
Two new Australian films have quietly emerged in recent weeks, deserving attention for their subtlety and sensitivity: Kangaroo and The Travellers. Both films blend comedy and poignancy, presented in an unpretentious manner that contrasts with more iconic Australian films like The Man from Snowy River or Mad Max.
Kangaroo by Kate Woods
Director Kate Woods, known mainly for her work in television and her 2000 feature Looking for Alibrandi, delivers a charming semi-biographical story in Kangaroo. It reflects on a man's life and changing preoccupations without following the usual biopic conventions. The film opens with a title stating it was “inspired” by a true story.
“Inspired by a true story.”
The film begins with two episodes introducing its protagonists. The first shows a young Indigenous girl named Charlie (Lily Whiteley) running through a vast outback landscape alongside bounding kangaroos.
The Travellers
The Travellers features warmth and subtlety through performances by Luke Bracey, Brian Brown, and Susie Porter. Like Kangaroo, it is quietly rendered with a balanced mix of humor and emotional depth, distinguishing itself from more mainstream Australian cinema.
Summary
Both films represent a refreshing approach to Australian cinema, characterized by gentle storytelling, rich character exploration, and nuanced direction.
Author's summary: These two films quietly bring nuanced, heartfelt storytelling to Australian cinema, offering a rare blend of humor and emotional subtlety.