A ketamine-fuelled bachelor party in the Australian bush; what could go wrong?

BIRDEATER emerges as a striking debut from Australian directors Jack Clark and Jim Weir, deftly navigating the complexities of toxic masculinity and emotional abuse within the framework of a bachelor party gone awry. As the night unfolds, underlying tensions surface, exposing the fraught dynamics between couple Louie (Mackenzie Fearnley) and Irene (Shabana Azeez), while the group’s intoxication descends into chaos.

The film takes a rollercoaster ride through dark humour peppered with surreal imagery, enhancing its psychological depth and amplifying the emotional stakes. Through a carefully constructed narrative, the filmmakers examine how societal norms surrounding masculinity enable harmful behaviours to thrive unchecked. The escalating tension among the characters reveals the insidious nature of emotional abuse, showcasing how psychological manipulation can be just as damaging as physical violence.

A modern update on WAKE IN FRIGHT, BIRDEATER challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths, making it a significant contribution to contemporary Australian cinema.