Kangaroo Island Movie | In Cinemas 21 Aug 2025 | Review

Discover this stunning new film, Kangaroo Island, set against one of Australia’s most beautiful backdrops.

Review by Carla Caruso

Kangaroo Island isn’t just a jaw-droppingly beautiful destination, it’s now the setting for a movie of the same name.

The film marks the feature directorial debut of Australian writer-director Timothy David, who teamed up with his Canadian actress wife, Sally Gifford, as screenwriter. The couple, who divide their time between Australia and the US, even spent a year living on Kangaroo Island while making the movie.

Timothy is known for his work on TV commercials, including Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty, and for creating the iconic Bridgestone gecko. The pair first gained attention in 2013 with a viral video transforming Sally’s appearance through Photoshop.

Kangaroo Island features a stellar cast including Rebecca Breeds, Erik Thomson, Adelaide Clemens, and Joel Jackson. (Writer Sally appears on screen too, in the role of a Hollywood agent.) The award-winning film premiered at The Piccadilly, North Adelaide, on 20 August 2025, with Timothy David and Erik Thomson in attendance, and is now showing in cinemas nationwide.

The story follows Lou Wells (Breeds), a once-promising Hollywood actress who has hit rock bottom. Broke and aimless, she reluctantly returns home to Kangaroo Island after her estranged father, Rory (Thomson), offers her a plane ticket. Family tensions flare, especially when Lou and her sister Freya (Clemens) uncover Rory’s secret.

Blending humour, heart, and relatable themes, Kangaroo Island highlights one of the world’s most unique destinations on the big screen.

Rating: Mature themes and coarse language.  Rated M, so parents only!

Here’s what our reviewers had to say:

DANIELLA

A really good family story with plenty of plot twists. The standout performances came from the sisters, played by Rebecca Breeds and Adelaide Clemens. Freya’s children were even portrayed by two of Adelaide actress Teresa Palmer’s own kids — a lovely touch.

The scenery was breathtaking. A great reminder of how lucky we are to live surrounded by such unspoiled nature.

It’s a heartfelt film, but also funny, with a running joke about the sisters’ missing luggage woven throughout. There’s a subtle religious thread too, which adds another interesting layer.

IZZY

Kangaroo Island displays many insights into the lives of average Australians with a humorous twist. This highly authentic film captures the lives of a family who feud over their conflicting values. While lighthearted and humorous at times, this film can also bring tears to the eyes of its viewers. The shaky bond between the two sisters, Lou and Freya, is evident in the beginning. Their diverging views on money, motherhood, and religion become a catalyst for the story’s events, whilst the father, Rory, wrangles the tension between his two daughters.

One of the film’s unique and noteworthy features is its wildlife montages. Tim Piper, the director, even mentioned that a singular shot for a montage took over five hours to shoot. So much dedication! Many of Kangaroo Island’s shops and attractions are mentioned or even visited throughout the film. This film delightfully showcases the little undiscovered niches of the island and brings to life the culture and community.

MEL

Kangaroo Island is a deeply moving and memorable movie that takes a deep dive into how unexpected life events and tragic circumstances shape people and their relationships.

Filmed over only 23 days, drawing together a superbly crafted story and exceptional actors, the film brings an authenticity which is refreshing. 

The stunning Kangaroo Island scenes form a peaceful backdrop for a family enduring deep turmoil. And, although each of the characters are wrestling with their own fears, grief and frustration, their underlying love for each other is heartwarming. 

This film doesn’t shy away from big questions relating to life and religion and it isn’t a movie that drops you deep into despair. The entire story is threaded with humour. Cue Lou’s “lost luggage”! And the big topic discussions pop up – questions about the universe, our existence and whether God allows suffering. Much like life, we observe choices being made and circumstances following while, at other times just sheer awful stuff happens with no rhyme, no reason and no good outcomes. There are no snappy easy answers, no trite or preachy responses, just more questions.

This unique and highly recommended film beautifully captures the dichotomy of life, where humour, warmth, joy and struggle coexist alongside tragedy and suffering.

Check out the Kangaroo Island movie trailer below:

See our Top Parks & Playgrounds Around Adelaide

At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.

As per all our Play & Go reviews, this is not a sponsored post and our review is done completely independently. All photos are by Play & Go (unless specified).

SUBSCRIBE

Follow Play & Go Adelaide on Facebook and Instagram

Want to get all the latest events and activities straight to your inbox?

Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter below to keep up to date with our latest posts and find out all the best events & activities for Adelaide families. Newsletters are only sent once a week, and you may sometimes get a special offer exclusively for our subscribers only!