The Dunes (2021) User Reviews

Attending police scene just EMBARRASSING !

[bubuchan62 · 4/10 · 4 September 2023]

My first EVER review here as I think it's all to easy to criticise another person's art.

However, I felt compelled to here as I'm tired of seeing Australian talent & great foundations for an excellent movie ruined by outdated and overused clichés, such as police attending scene as mentioned. The continuity and flow of the story is also where our movies fail ! Why ? More like a cut & paste scrap book from a primary school student. We're far more capable and able than that.

So, after a promising start and holding of breath, sure enough, we were let down again.

Certainly not due to the acting or rather casting, just the corner cutting & lack of vision & adherence to clichés again letting us down.

Query, does the director & producers watch their work the way we viewers, who the product is made for, do ?? Can they not see the shortcomings of their work, the way we do ?

A shame, as they had all the elements there to make an excellent movie. Dare I say one to rival the US who churn this stuff out like McDonalds does with burgers.

I do thank all the actors & crew involved for their efforts. You deserved a better end result.

A solid little Australian psychological thriller

[eddie_baggins · 6/10 · 28 April 2022]

A passion project from long term Australian actor turned director Martin Copping, The Dunes (the other Dune movie from 2021) is a low budget Australian thriller that favours the slow burn, as we follow Copping's LA based journalist Nicholas Rice on a trip back to his small Australian home town, a town that hides secrets both old and new in a potentially deadly scenario.

Backed through extensive Kickstarter campaigns and a dogged determination from Copping who also wrote this feature to coincide with his leading turn and direction, The Dunes is an at times rough around the edges (not to be unexpected from such a production) feature but there's enough going on here to ensure that should you be willing to bypass its raw nature, Copping's dark genre offering is a unique Australian piece that isn't afraid to shock and provide its share of twists and turns.

Shot in and around the picturesque Australian area of the Mornington Peninsula, The Dune's pretty backdrops and seaside surrounds mask the sins and evils that exist in Rice's past and present as he deals with his deteriorating father, past loves and a new contact in the form of Tim Phillipp's keen spear fisherman William Knight, who starts to play an ever growing presence in Rice's life back in his old stomping ground.

Unlikely to appeal to those seeking a white knuckle thriller filled with guns, blood and jump scares, The Dunes much prefers thrills in the forms of the psychological and while at times it may be a frustrating experience in a narrative sense through parts of its early and middle stages, as the puzzle comes together in the final act and you begin to grasp just who is who and why certain things are happening, The Dunes offers some memorable moments and impressively staged payoffs that not many will see coming.

Lacking the killer blow or knockout punch that may've elevated it to the next level, while unable to produce a genuinely noteworthy performance, with Phillipp's leaving the biggest impression as the charismatic but also devious Knight, The Dunes isn't ever quite able to become the film it might've been had more stars aligned but it's an impressive effort from Copping who has shown here that he has what it takes to become a very exciting local talent behind the camera.

Final Say -

At times rough and unrefined, The Dunes remains an impressive independent Australian offering that provides a twisting and turning psychological story that will have you guessing right up until the final moments.

3 packets of Two Minute Noodles out of 5.

I might be going soft

[jasonpauljones-64690 · 5/10 · 24 November 2023]

The Dunes is not everyone's cup of tea. It's rather slow, meandering story revolves around a writer who takes a break from journalism in Los Angeles, and returns to his home country Australia where he apparently lets out a residence that has been unpaid for by the current tennants for a period of time.

I say "apparently", because it gives the impression that this oversight of payments on the rental home is to be an important part of the story. However, it's actually not pursued at all and becomes a completely empty, dead-end element, that provides nothing more than confusion and annoyance.

But apart from this, the scenery is inviting and is the glue that keeps it all together and maintains interest most of the time, particularly in the first half of the movie, where not much happens. Things start to kick along and raise excitement levels in the second half and I didn't mind the simple script and acting, as it fits with the characters and the story, which becomes a cat and mouse type of psychological thriller of sorts, that doesn't quite build to anything memorable but is watchable nonetheless.

Terrrible Acting

[DarcyBennett · 3/10 · 17 April 2022]

The story is ok, the scenery is nice, but the acting is wooden and completely unbelievable.

As much as I love to support Australian cinema, this movie is a 3 at best.

Don't believe the high scores, clearly made by people connected to the movie.

Waste of time

[tectonicexodus · 1/10 · 16 August 2022]

This movie for all the effort put into making it couldn't have been more wasteful. It draws you in no doubt, but only to leave you with confusion and disappointment. Effectively it takes 1 hour for the first notable event to take place to even attempt take this down a thrilling path. This is a random body being found, who is it? You never find out, hoe did they die? You never find that out. For that whole hour beforehand it's pointless talking, back-story that has no relevance or just is open ended in the plot.

There is to tension in this time frame, its just a guy on vacation talking to people. Finally when something happens a atrocious attempt at acting by the cops follows that also gas no relevance in the story as they are never seen again after implying the main character might be getting framed. Finishing up the movie is a anticlimactic ended that was so abrupt and lackluster that wanted to be a cliffhanger edge of your seat moment.

Out of 87 minutes only 10 has any noteworthy events, the rest is just casual conversation with no purpose but to fill the clock. About 3-4 minutes minutes is spent on the finding of the body and the cops scene, 4 minutes spent with the evil guy revealing his story and killing the main character. 2-3 minutes with the ending scene leaving you going "what, that's it? That's what all of this was for?" after the other 77 minutes of the main character talking to his father, locals, old friends, or the random guy who turns out to be the killer.

There's no way anyone would give it a even decent review unless promoting it, regardless of the actually movie quality. I watch movies and TV shows constantly as I have alot of free time. I was so disappointed with this movie I actually made a account just to review it so others wouldn't waste their time. That being said this is definitely one of the worst movies I've ever seen.

Quicksand

[Cpt_Ramrod · 2/10 · 22 May 2022]

The start will draw you in, but soon you will find yourself stuck, deciding whether watching this film was a good idea at all. It continues to suck you down deeper to new levels of bad acting and plot turns. Stay on the safe trails and away from dodgy shortcut films like this.

Awful.

[neil-89611 · 2/10 · 11 April 2022]

Ridiculous acting that is tedious and painful to watch. Unbelievable situations (especially the attending police) make this another cringeworthy film that Australia seems to be producing lately.

Don't be fooled by those fake praises

[housearrestedever · 1/10 · 12 August 2022]

This movie, like most of the productions out of Australia, is so hard to watch with interest and patience. So many plot holes with poor acting. The screenplay was purposefully manipulated with twists by writer/director Martin Copping. Sadly, he didn't even quite understand how to make the detective character convincingly believable. If you take look at all of the from 7/10, 9/10. 10/10 high ratings, you'll find they are almost the same, even the titles and the words used are almost the same. Obviously, all the people who involved in this production or the people related to these reviewers, are trying so hard but shamelessly to promote this poorly scripted, directed, cast, and acted lame duck out of Australia.

Don't be fooled like me, don't waste your time.

Offbeat

[johnjanis · 8/10 · 7 April 2022]

This is one quirky movie. It won't be everyone's cup of tea but movies like this always get my attention. It's short and uncomplicated.

It's a good movie, probably not worth an 8 but as I live in Victoria and recognised some of the locations I bumped the rating up by 1 point.

Lost in the Sand

[captain-85417 · 2/10 · 4 October 2022]

I am ever hopeful for Australian movies, especially one funded by kick starter and a favourite project by Martin Copping. I could see his energy to propel the movie forward. He played the tired, harried journalist quite well buit all the Los Angeles set-up took so long and had no real direction. Tim Phillipps had a great role allowing him to be a siniister annoyance and he was probably the most convincing character. But no ... The script was loose, the acting poor and the plot was full of holes. Why was there a rotting corpse in the garden? The police could not have been more wooden, their abusive questioning shocking and then they disappear! Was Becky killed arfter being raped? No police presence for Nick's death? A dreadful ending. Sorry Martin, a fail.

Martin Copping great

[mosquitobite · 8/10 · 12 May 2022]

Funny how people complain about "terrible acting" when people arent "acting", they re just doing the hardest thing of all...being natural and present before the camera. Guess we get so used to what's actually over acting we dont see the real skill of just being.

You can see the difference as soon as the cops arrive, both terrible, a phoney feeling presence/ " acting a part" This is a solid offering really enjoyed it.

Good weekend movie

[jaeelkomal · 7/10 · 25 May 2022]

The Dunes literally gave me chills. The actor playing William Night was so convincing, every time he came on the screen I was silent. Brilliant performances by all involved and I'd watch again when I have friends over. A good weekend movie.

Trash

[brent-93346 · 1/10 · 18 April 2023]

The movie got more incoherent as it went on I was excited to watch but it just dragged on and on I think they should have just not made the movie at all the acting was trash as well the dudes hair was to red I had no idea what was going on most time I was confused first he was in USA then he was in rosebud and jogging on the sand no one can do that your Legs would be sore and kangaroos the dunes is a good course not a home town I'm so confused I think I may be dumber watching the movie it was so bad a Nissan pathfinder with nsw plates they could have used a better car trash movie don't watch it's poo.

Australian movies really low

[karwan49 · 1/10 · 24 December 2022]

Despite all the great atmosphere and lots of opportunities they can get from acting , and also they can try learn more from Hollywood, sometimes you can see when the director let the actor and actress their rolls . They are pretty much copying Hollywood. Even there are so many Australian actors in Hollywood. But when they act in Australia. They are so bad it's like watching Indian movies . So lame . You have strong financial and strong support . Just try make a good movie . Not just finish it every time I'm trying to watch any movie in Australia. I always skip it don't feel like watching it . Feels so cheap.

Sucks big time

[yvonnevale-92573 · 1/10 · 2 January 2024]

Monumental waste of time that I'll never get back.

Terrible acting. Frustrating Plot lines that often lead nowhere ... an obvious 'bad guy' ... Night - get it 😔...and soooo tediously slow ..to get to an 'ending' that is fairly predictable and inane.

The people giving this movie a rating over 5 must be relatives and friends of the crew and cast ... there is no 'thrill' in this supposed thriller.

I always try to support the Australian film industry which is the reason I watched this for every excruciating minute. It's disappointing to write this kind of review as I realise the effort and finance that must have gone into producing this but surely we can do better.

Ridiculous

[pgreinecke · 2/10 · 31 January 2024]

Terrible acting.

Silly premise. So much in it either makes no sense at all. So much goes unanswered.

Like who was buried in the backyard? And why?

What happened to the body after police turned up?

Why on earth would the police do nothing except try to accuse the writer?

Did the body even get taken away or just left in the backyard?

Why did the unwanted visitor not simply kill the writer rather than go to all the other bother?

What happened to the writer's father?

This film is made in 2021. Whoever made it would do well to watch a few episodes of 'Vera'! At least some forensics might have been useful. Instead, writer and old girlfriend just cuddled up in the sofa.

Frankly I'm glad the writer died. Put us both out of our misery.

Excellent

[william101 · 8/10 · 4 May 2022]

I liked it. The Dunes started out as a creepy mysterious drama which it did a good job at doing while also having really stunning camera shots. The Australian landscape was beautifully featured throughout. After a while the movie took a turn and went towards a psychological thriller type of mode. The characters had good depth and it made you feel an extra level of "angst" brought on by their relationships with each other. I think that's why this worked for me. Worth a look!

STUMPY!!!!!

[AzzyG08 · 10/10 · 11 April 2022]

There is a one legged seagull called stumpy (not revealed as stumpy by movie characters but often appears in director Martin copping's social media accounts.)

Cool Aussie Flick

[itsthemattbailey · 7/10 · 25 April 2022]

Cool little indie film . Loved seeing the Australian country side in this manner . Nice slow burn thriller with great acting from the leads . Didn't see the end coming . Not perfect , but definitely worth a watch .

A film filled with talent

[unladenswallow-43267 · 10/10 · 21 April 2022]

A psychological thriller showing that your past will always catch up with you. The dunes is an interesting and a bit unusual film that I highly recommend. With an amazing storyline and a really talented cast (including Stumpy the one-legged seagull) this film makes for an amazing watch!

We need a sequel

[carlosthefilmreviewers · 9/10 · 13 May 2022]

I hope there is a sequel to this movie because it just needs one! I thought this movie was incredibly enjoyable. I will say that it didn't have much violence or gore that I wish it had but I was willing to overlook that. Martin Copping's story was a complex and compelling emotional tale about a successful journalist from Los Angeles making his way back to Australia. Seems normal right? That's when things take a turn. The character building is quick and to the point without being rushed and the relationships are built on throughout the entire movie. The ending was suspenseful but again I wish there was more violence and gore, maybe a little more Hollywood sprinkles on it. Having said that I would recommend this if you want a good story that attacks more to the psychological aspect of things but would advise you to find a different film if you're looking for something more of a horror movie.

Good slow burn movie

[roysmitty0 · 7/10 · 27 May 2022]

The past will always catch up with you! What a message. A nice slow burn movie and as you get to know the journalist you start to feel for him but things really take a turn. If you want to watch a psychological film then this is the only one you need to watch. Best one I've seen so far this year.

Australian thriller!

[thelolcitygod · 10/10 · 14 April 2022]

The Dunes (2021) directed and starred by Martin Copping. Is a phycological thriller. Which explores how past events catch up to people and that never be too nice to strangers.

The films shows how someone with a harmless request as 'helping a flat car battery' can actually be a cold sadistic killer.

I implore you to watch The Dunes. There is a reason it won many awards.

Crazy and entertaining very dark

[nadiacabim · 9/10 · 12 May 2022]

I really enjoyed The Dunes. It had all the things I felt made this into a successful thriller. They have foreshadowing, crescendoing tension, atmosphere, drama and spirituality. Australians just have a heightened sense of what it would be like to experience things that happen slowly but happen nonetheless in spite of all your wishing it wouldn't happen. Don't get me wrong, while I do enjoy a jump fest, over the top adrenaline rush, and "no don't do that" kind of flick, I also acknowledge the genius of an amazingly executed scary story. My thanks to those involved.

great film-making

[senw-57399 · 7/10 · 7 July 2022]

Loved the movie, especially when he goes back home to The Dunes. The storyline in the start might seem like it's been done before but the ending has a crafty meaningful message. Great film-making.