The Reef

When Kath and her brother Mitja head off in a campervan for a summer vacation with their mother, they are actually looking to escape the dark shadow that a recent tragic accident has cast over them. But adventure awaits the siblings in Land’s End, where they meet an eccentric girl who lives in an abandoned hotel and a wild gang of children on the beach who are involved in some kind of territorial battle. Only by joining forces can Kath and Mitja help end this war and unravel the secret that lies behind why these children appear somehow stranded between two worlds.

Directed by Phillip Donnellon, The Reef leans on a strong ensemble — Nora Tschirner, Leo Humphreys, Esme Hobson — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 0.