Nitram Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Aussie dude really wants a surfboard, can’t get one, so he buys a bunch of guns instead and goes on a holiday.

🍿 Nitram: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction: Nitram’s Troubled Youth

The film opens with archival footage of children in a burn unit, setting a somber tone. We are introduced to Nitram, a young man living with his parents in suburban Australia. He displays troubling behavior, including setting off fireworks and selling them to schoolchildren, showcasing his lack of social awareness and disregard for others’ well-being. This establishes him as an outsider struggling to fit in.

Finding an Unlikely Friend in Helen

Nitram begins mowing lawns and meets Helen, a reclusive heiress, who hires him to walk her dogs. They form an unconventional friendship, with Helen providing Nitram with material possessions and a sense of belonging he has never experienced. This relationship offers a temporary respite from Nitram’s isolation and frustration, though it also raises concerns among his parents.

Tragedy Strikes: Helen’s Death and Nitram’s Descent

The relationship takes a tragic turn when Helen dies in a car accident caused by Nitram’s reckless behavior. This event marks a turning point, exacerbating Nitram’s existing issues and sending him on a downward spiral. He inherits Helen’s wealth, but his life lacks purpose and direction, leading to increased isolation and destructive behavior.

Escalation and Obsession

Following Helen’s death, Nitram’s father commits suicide, further isolating him. He becomes increasingly obsessed with guns, purchasing them illegally and practicing his shooting skills. The film highlights the ease with which Nitram, a clearly troubled individual, is able to acquire firearms, hinting at the systemic issues that contribute to the tragic events to come.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Nitram (Caleb Landry Jones): A socially isolated and intellectually disabled young man whose escalating frustration and anger lead to a tragic and violent outburst.
• Mum (Judy Davis): Nitram’s emotionally distant and exasperated mother struggles to understand and manage her troubled son.
• Dad (Anthony LaPaglia): Nitram’s father is a well-meaning but ultimately ineffectual man who enables his son’s behavior.
• Helen (Essie Davis): A reclusive and eccentric heiress who forms an unusual friendship with Nitram, providing him with a sense of belonging before her tragic death.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mum: “He was laughing at my pain… laughing like it was the funniest thing in the world” – This quote encapsulates the mother’s frustration and inability to understand or connect with her son’s detached and disturbing behavior.
• Nitram: “Minus 35.” – Said to a security guard whilst in court. Making a joke about the massacre.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $418,828

💥 Nitram Reviews

Personal Review

This movie was intense. I went in knowing it was about the events leading up to the Port Arthur massacre, and I was still floored. Caleb Landry Jones gives a career-defining performance; it’s hard to watch but impossible to look away. The scene where he’s laughing at his mother’s pain is particularly chilling and stayed with me long after the credits rolled. I left the cinema feeling disturbed and deeply saddened.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in true crime dramas”
  • “Fans of character studies”
  • “Those interested in Australian history”
  • “Individuals who appreciate strong acting performances”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Deals with themes of violence and mental illness”
  • “May be disturbing or triggering for some viewers”
  • “Implied violence”
  • “Suicide”
  • “Grief”

Professional Reviews

• Indiewire: “Kurzel avoids sensationalism, focusing instead on the mundane build-up to tragedy. Jones delivers a chilling performance, capturing the character’s unsettling detachment from reality and the slow burn of his frustration.
• Empire: “A difficult but important film, ‘Nitram’ is anchored by Caleb Landry Jones’s stunning performance. It offers no easy answers but compels viewers to confront the uncomfortable truths behind a national tragedy.

Audience Reactions

Caleb Landry Jones’s performance is mesmerizing and disturbing.: Most viewers praised the film’s unflinching look at the events leading up to the Port Arthur massacre and the performances of the lead actors.

Overall Consensus: A powerful and disturbing film that offers a chilling look at the events leading up to a national tragedy, driven by exceptional performances.

Awards

1. Cannes Film Festival (Best Actor)- 2021

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Justin Kurzel chose not to depict the actual Port Arthur massacre on screen, focusing instead on the events leading up to it to avoid glorifying the violence or exploiting the victims’ suffering.”
• “Caleb Landry Jones, an American actor, meticulously worked on his Australian accent by watching Australian soap operas like ‘Neighbours’ and ‘Home and Away’.”
• “The film’s title, ‘Nitram,’ is Martin spelled backwards, referencing the nickname the protagonist was given by childhood bullies.”
• “Filming took place in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, due to logistical reasons, even though the actual events occurred in Tasmania. This led to some minor geographical inaccuracies pointed out by viewers.”

🖥️ How to Watch Nitram?

As an Australian film focusing on a real-life tragedy, ‘Nitram’ may be available on various streaming platforms that feature independent and international cinema. Check services like Stan, ABC iview (in Australia), or SBS On Demand for potential streaming options. For viewers outside of Australia, look for the film on platforms like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or Apple TV+, where international films are often distributed. It may also be available to rent or purchase on digital platforms such as Google Play Movies, Vudu, and YouTube Movies. Availability can vary by region, so be sure to confirm before attempting to view.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Nitram, you might like these similar films:

• Elephant (2003): Both films explore the lead-up to a school shooting, focusing on the everyday lives and environments of the perpetrators without explicitly showing the violence.
• We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011): This movie examines a mother’s struggle to understand her troubled son and the role she may have played in his violent tendencies, similar to the parental dynamic in ‘Nitram’.
• Snowtown (2011): Directed by the same director, Justin Kurzel, Snowtown also delves into a dark chapter of Australian crime history with a similarly unflinching and realistic style.
• Joker (2019): Both films delve into the background of individuals who, alienated and failed by society, descend into violence, sparking debate about the connection between mental health and societal factors.

🛒 Nitram Related Products

• Australian True Crime: Martin Bryant: The Port Arthur Massacre: An essential read for anyone seeking to understand the facts and motivations behind the Port Arthur tragedy. The product is also a Kindle edition which is great value.
• Hey Hey It’s Saturday: The Best of the Best: Relive the classic Australian comedy show that helped Caleb Landry Jones perfect his Australian accent for the film. A comedic showcase of what the Land Down Under had to offer.
• The Snowtown Murders (2011): Directed by Justin Kurzel, this is what would begin a disturbing look into Australia and its darkness. This chilling crime thriller showcases Kurzel’s signature style and unflinching storytelling.

🎧 Soundtrack

Nitram features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Three Little Maids” – performed by Elsie Morison, Jeannette Sinclair, Marjorie Thomas, The Glyndebourne Chorus, Pro Arte Orchestra of London, Malcolm Sargent

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Mark Kermode reviews Nitram – Kermode and Mayo’s Take

Thinking of watching Nitram? Check out Mark Kermode’s review! He’s got some really interesting points about the film’s approach and impact. I don’t always agree with him, but his insights are always thought-provoking!

Film about earlier life of Port Arthur gunman, Nitram, still ‘too raw’ for many Tasmanians | 7.30

Heard Nitram is controversial? This ABC News report digs into why some Tasmanians find it so difficult to watch, considering the real-life tragedy it’s based on. Gives you a real sense of the emotional weight behind the film, which is important to know!

Controversial film depicts 1996 Port Arthur massacre

Want to hear a really different opinion about Nitram? Sky News Australia strongly criticizes the film’s very existence. It definitely makes you think about the ethics of making a movie like this! Controversial, for sure.

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