To what extent do your surroundings shape you? This question might cross your mind once or twice when watching this Australian film about a family of violent crooks inMelbourne. This is the closest family that Joshua – or J – has when he is left on his own after his mother’s death. His quiet acceptance of his fate leaves you wondering if he is moody teenager, disapproving pragmatist or silent witness.

Soon enough he is forced to participate in the criminal activities of this dysfunctional family, ruled over by the incredibly powerful matriarchal figure, Jackie, who is J’s grandmother. You certainly don’t come across many grandmothers like this scheming, viper-like woman who would do anything to protect her feral sons for whom she seems to have almost incestuous feelings.

Inevitably, J is pushed towards choosing between right and wrong as the police make use of his basic good nature, if not naivety, and J’s dilemma and crisis of loyalty keep you on tenterhooks until the end. This tense, extremely watchable film is definitely the most striking  film from Australia this year.