Cruel Hands

What it’s about

Maria flees her abusive husband, Jason, with her 12-year-old son, Dai. They take refuge in a deserted farmhouse while catastrophic bushfires burn across the region. Emergency services cannot locate them, and Jason is searching relentlessly.

What hooks you

Al Kalyk wrote, directed and produced this thriller, shot in Australia. Mavournee Hazel plays Maria and Diesel La Torraca plays Dai. The story unfolds during the real bushfires that began in August 2019, and Dai starts to sense that things are not what they seem.

Who it’s for

It is a good pick for those who like slow-burning suspense in isolated settings, where danger comes both from a pursuer and from nature itself. It will also appeal to viewers drawn to stories of survival and the bond between a mother and her child under extreme pressure.