Cult leaders hit the Australian shores in Disney+’s first local original scripted series, inspired by the larger-than-real-life cult The Family.
Opening with the abduction of a young girl Sara (Lily LaTorre) in rural Victoria by cult leader Adrienne (Miranda Otto) and her henchmen, Sara is soon absorbed into their world of crazy diets, blonde hair dye, and something a little more sinister. As she tries to escape their compound Blackmarsh, she is exposed more and more to their true intentions and chaos.
Based on the novel In The Clearing by JP Pomare, the Family and its leader Anne Hamilton-Byrne are clear inspirations for this story and infuse the drama well. Directors and creators Jeffrey Walker and Gracie Otto are able to infuse the story with moodiness and narrative arcs that feels exciting and addictive.
Otto is brilliant in the main role with one of the best roles of her career, leaning into the chilly, superior, and twisted mindset of the leader in a way that feels unlike a caricature that has felt all too familar in television series, even if her impact feels less menacing when present on the screen. Guy Pearce plays her accomplice Dr. Bryce Latham, underused in early episodes, sadly overwhelmed by Otto’s presence.
However, the series truly owns and belongs to the brilliant Teresa Palmer as Freya, a single parent caught in the midst of the abduction with more information than she leads on. Palmer’s ability to show her fear, confusion, and hidden secrets at different times makes her the perfect hero at the heart of the story.
The Clearing is a welcome and strong addition to the Australian streaming scene and one of the best new series of the year with a top cast to remember.
Eden Caceda 