The Nightingale — Official Trailer

added: Wed, May 22nd '19

From Jennifer Kent, the Australian writer-director of the horror sensation "The Babadook," comes a thrilling historical revenge film about a young Irish-Australian woman teaming up with an Aboriginal tracker to hunt down a brutal English lieutenant who has terrorized the region with unwarranted executions and raids.

Check out the official trailer for "The Nightingale," Kent's eagerly-anticipated follow up to her feature debut "The Babadook."

The 1825-set Australian film stars Aisling Franciosi, from the British crime series "The Fall," who is also perhaps better known for portraying Lyanna Stark (Jon Snow's Mother) on HBO's "Game of Thrones."

In addition to Franciosi, the film features Sam Claflin (from "The Hunger Games" films) as the sadistic British lieutenant, while Aboriginal actor Baykali Ganambarr plays the indigenous tracker.

Co-starring Damon Herriman (aka Charles Manson in "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood") and Ewen Leslie (from the miniseries "Top of the Lake"), "The Nightingale," which premiered to solid reviews at the 2018 Venice Film Festival, is coming to U.S. theaters on August 2nd. Watch the trailer, above.

synopsis:
THE NIGHTINGALE is a meditation on the consequences of violence and the price of seeking vengeance.

Set during the colonization of Australia in 1825, the film follows Clare (AISLING FRANCIOSI), a 21-year-old Irish convict. Having served her 7-year sentence, she is desperate to be free of her abusive master, Lieutenant Hawkins (SAM CLAFLIN) who refuses to release her from his charge. Clare's husband Aidan (MICHAEL SHEASBY) retaliates and she becomes the victim of a harrowing crime at the hands of the lieutenant and his cronies.

When British authorities fail to deliver justice, Clare decides to pursue Hawkins, who leaves his post suddenly to secure a captaincy up north. Unable to find compatriots for her journey, she is forced to enlist the help of a young Aboriginal tracker Billy (BAYKALI GANAMBARR) who grudgingly takes her through the rugged wilderness to track down Hawkins. The terrain and the prevailing hostilities are frightening, as fighting between the original inhabitants of the land and its colonizers plays out in what is now known as "The Black War."

Clare and Billy are hostile towards each other from the outset, both suffering their own traumas and mutual distrust, but as their journey leads them deeper into the wilderness, they must learn to find empathy for one another, while weighing the true cost of revenge.

directed by Jennifer Kent

starring Aisling Franciosi, Sam Claflin, Baykali Ganambarr, Damon Herriman, Ewen Leslie

release date August 2, 2019