The Square Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A construction foreman’s affair leads to arson, blackmail, and a whole lot of regret, mostly because he couldn’t say no to a younger woman with a really bad idea involving burning down her house.

🍿 The Square: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Affair and a Bag of Money

Ray Yale, a construction foreman in a small Australian town, is having an affair with Carla Smith, a hairdresser married to a local tough named Smithy. Carla discovers a bag of cash hidden by her husband, presumably from illegal activities, and proposes a plan to Ray: steal the money, burn down their house to cover the theft, and run away together.

The Arson Plan Gone Wrong

Reluctantly, Ray agrees and hires Billy, a pyromaniac, to set the fire. However, Ray gets cold feet at the last minute and tries to call off the arson, but he’s unable to reach Billy in time. The house is burned down, but unbeknownst to Ray and Carla, Smithy’s elderly mother was staying at the house and dies in the fire. This transforms their planned theft into a far more serious crime.

Blackmail and Escalating Chaos

Ray and Carla find themselves entangled in a web of blackmail, deceit, and escalating violence. Billy, the arsonist, uses the knowledge of the accidental murder to blackmail Ray. Meanwhile, Ray is also involved in a kickback scheme at his construction job, further complicating his situation as he tries to cover up the mounting crimes.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Raymond Yale (David Roberts): A construction foreman whose affair leads him down a path of crime and moral compromise.
• Carla Smith (Claire van der Boom): A restless hairdresser who instigates a dangerous plan to steal money and escape her marriage.
• Billy (Joel Edgerton): A pyromaniac-for-hire whose involvement complicates the lovers’ scheme with blackmail and violence.
• Greg ‘Smithy’ Smith (Anthony Hayes): Carla’s tough, criminal husband, whose hidden money becomes the object of the lovers’ ill-fated plan.
• Gil Hubbard (Bill Hunter): Ray’s boss at the construction site, who becomes entangled in the unfolding events due to Ray’s actions.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Gil Hubbard: “One man points his dick the wrong direction, and here we are…” – Gil Hubbard says this line to Ray to express his disappointment that things have spiralled out of control.

💰Box Office

• Budget: Unknown
• Domestic Gross: $406,116
• Worldwide Gross: $728,903

💥 The Square Reviews

Personal Review

I stumbled upon ‘The Square’ looking for a gritty crime drama and wow, did it deliver. The story sucks you in from the very first scene and doesn’t let go. I felt a mix of sympathy and frustration for the main character, Ray. The ending, though bleak, felt inevitable given the escalating series of terrible decisions made. It definitely makes you think twice about that bag of money.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of neo-noir thrillers”
  • “Viewers who appreciate Australian cinema”
  • “Those interested in crime dramas with complex characters and morally ambiguous situations”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Arson”
  • “Accidental death”
  • “Infidelity”

Professional Reviews

• IONCINEMA.com: “The Square is a well-crafted thriller. The film takes one depressing twist after another and the hero digs himself even deeper and deeper into trouble which leaves the viewer kind of mad. In a lot of film noir this is the point but in this film the events that take place are so ridiculously over the top and unbelievable that the film doesn’t quite work on the level it should.
• MUBI: ” Nash Edgerton’s film depicts an affair between construction foreman Ray (David Roberts) and housewife Carla (Claire van der Boom) which leads to disastrous events. Many of the shots are not lit entirely, adding to the unpleasant feeling. Without a doubt, the movie portrays a much grittier side of Australia than we often see in movies.
• IMDB User Review: “If you like movies that don’t pull punches (ie. the departed, fight club, the hurt locker, no country for old men, or precious) YOU WILL LOVE THIS MOVIE!. and you won’t hear me say that about any other film in 2010. This movie is absolutely guaranteed to have audiences cheering in the seats!!

Audience Reactions

Audience really enjoyed the surprises and turns, making it gripping till the very end.: Viewers felt The Square created a high-suspense environment, keeping the viewers constantly glued.

Overall Consensus: A gripping Australian crime thriller with unexpected turns and a bleak outlook on the consequences of greed and bad decisions.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Joel Edgerton co-wrote the script with Matthew Dabner and also stars in the film, showcasing his diverse talents.”
• “Nash Edgerton, the director, is known for his stunt work and has incorporated his expertise into the film’s action sequences.”
• “The movie was filmed in Caringbah, New South Wales, Australia, providing an authentic backdrop for the suburban crime story.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Square?

As of October 2024, ‘The Square’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for streaming availability, as it may vary by region. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray can also be purchased through online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Square, you might like these similar films:

• Blood Simple (1984): Shares the theme of a simple crime spiraling into a complex web of deception and violence, with ordinary people making increasingly bad decisions.
• A Simple Plan (1998): Explores how the discovery of a large sum of money can corrupt ordinary individuals and lead to tragic consequences.
• Body Heat (1981): Features a femme fatale who manipulates a man into committing a crime, leading to unforeseen and deadly results.

🛒 The Square Related Products

• Joel Edgerton Movie Collection [DVD]: This DVD collection includes Joel Edgerton’s other notable film projects. See the actor behind the arsonist.
• Australian Crime Thrillers: A Cinematic Journey: A digital book exploring the history and evolution of Australian crime thrillers, including The Square.
• The Square (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Digital]: Digital download access to the original motion picture soundtrack, offering a piece of the suspenseful mood within the movie.
• Arson Investigation Board Game: Test your wits and strategies with a thrilling board game set in an arson investigation scenario, providing complex gameplay.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “How Lovers Pray” – performed by Jessica Chapnik Kahn

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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