The Reckoning (2014 film)

The Reckoning is an Australian crime thriller feature film written and directed by John V. Soto,[1] starring Luke Hemsworth, Viva Bianca, Jonathan LaPaglia, Hanna Mangan-Lawrence, and Alex Williams.[2] The film premiered at the British Independent Film Festival on 10 May 2014 where it won Best Director and Best Music.[3][4] The thriller opened in limited release in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth on 5 September 2014 following their Australian premiere at CinefestOz on 29 August 2014. The film was officially selected to screen in Cannes 15 May 2015 as part of the Antipodes collection for Cannes Cinephiles.[5] The Reckoning was produced by Filmscope Entertainment's Deidre Kitcher. This is Filmscope Entertainment's third feature film following Needle and Crush. Lightning Entertainment is selling foreign rights. The Reckoning had its Australian TV Premiere on 7 December 2015 on Channel ONE (Network TEN).[4]

The Reckoning
Film poster
Directed byJohn V. Soto
Produced byDeidre Kitcher
Written byJohn V. Soto
Starring
Music byThomas Rouch
CinematographyJason Thomas
Edited byRegg Skwarko
Production
company
Reckoning Productions
Release date
  • 21 August 2014 (2014-08-21)
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish

Synopsis

When Detective Robbie Green (Jonathan LaPaglia) is called in to investigate the murder of his colleague Jason Pearson (Luke Hemsworth), he discovers at the crime scene a SD card from a video camera. The card contains footage shot by two runaway teenagers, Rachel (Hanna Mangan-Lawrence) and AJ (Alex Williams), who are making a documentary about the drug related death of Rachel's sister.

Robbie and Detective Jane Lambert (Viva Bianca) start to retrace the teen's journey and soon the pair begin to uncover a trail of the dead. Video footage reveals Jason being connected to the drug operation and he later gives Robbie up as being involved in the death of Rachel's sister.

Robbie is discharged from the investigation and sent home late at night, only to find his family being held hostage by AJ and Rachel. After a gunfight, and with the police approaching the home, Rachel takes Robbie up onto the roof at gunpoint, with nothing but revenge on her mind.[6]

Cast

Reception

The Reckoning has received mainly positive reviews from the media. Gavin Bond of the Perth newspaper The Sunday Times praised the film as "an accomplished, refreshingly gritty and thoroughly entertaining thriller." Philippa Hawker from The Age stated that The Reckoning was "an intriguing thriller that interweaves two accounts of guilt and revelation".[9] Andrew Urban from Urban Cinefile said, "A strong screenplay, coupled with an interesting cinematic structure and great images make this an engaging film with tension and texture."[10] Who Weekly's Andiee Pavious remarked that "From seemingly foreseeable beginnings, his (John V. Soto) deceptive screenplay ricochets through a bloodied thicket of hoops that one by one call everyone's integrity to account. Prepare to be unprepared." Erin Free from Filmink lauded the film, saying "Writer/Director John V. Soto delivers his best film yet with this tight, taut and compelling thriller".[11]

Release

The world premiere of The Reckoning was held at Empire Theatre in Leicester Square on 10 May 2014. The film made its Australian premiere at CinefestOz on 23 August and had a limited national release across five Australian cinemas, two in Perth and one each in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on 5 September.[12][13]

Lightning Entertainment has sold The Reckoning in over 40 overseas markets, including Portugal (Media Page),the USA (Anchor Bay/Starz), South Africa (Ster Kinekor), Scandinavia (Atlantic Films), Turkey (Movie Box), Korea (SB), the Middle East (Eagle Entertainment), Mexico (Renaissance) and Thailand (IPA).[13][14]

Filming

Filming took place in Perth, Western Australia.[15]

Awards and nominations
Year Festival Award Nomination Result
2014 British Independent Film Festival Best Director Won
2014 British Independent Film Festival Best Music Won

References
  1. ""The Reckoning" – An Interview with John V. Soto about his Latest Film". Movie Vine. 10 January 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  2. McNary, Dave (25 March 2013). "Jonathan LaPaglia, Luke Hemsworth Toplining 'The Reckoning'". Variety.
  3. "World premiere set for Oz crime thriller". Inside Film. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  4. "Film and Television Industry News and Issues for Australian Content Creators". Inside Film. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  5. The Reckoning premieres at Cinfest 14 August 2014.
  6. http://www.thereckoning.com.au/
  7. Indiewire
  8. "Luke Hemsworth To Make Feature Debut In Aussie Pic 'The Reckoning'". Deadline. 25 March 2013.
  9. Philippa Hawker (21 May 2013). "How The Reckoning director John V. Soto is making Australian movies with the world in mind". The Age. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  10. "Urban Cinefile RECKONING". Urban cinefile. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  11. Film Ink Archived 10 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  12. First look local detective thriller Reckoning
  13. Oz international deals for The Reckoning
  14. Audiences seek out The Reckoning
  15. Symonds, Kristy (26 March 2013). "Jonathan LaPaglia, Luke Hemsworth to star in WA film 'The Reckoning'". PerthNow.com.au.
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