Cert 15
99 mins
BBFC advice: Contains sexual abuse, strong sex references, very strong language
Not since Tyrannosaur, has a British independent movie made such an impact on me as The Violators.
But what makes this film even more remarkable is that its cast is largely made up of rookies.
Director and writer Helen Walsh has conjured a devastatingly real scenario of three young people having to care for themselves following the imprisonment of their abusive father and the disappearance of their careless mother.
This leaves, the eldest (Derek Barr), a drug-taking no-hoper, to look after his feisty sister, Shelly (Lauren McQueen) and much younger brother (Callum King Chadwick).
Shelly has dreams of a brighter future but the reality is found at the local pawn shop where the unscrupulous owner (Stephen Lord) is waiting to prey on a "schoolie".
Meanwhile, a rich girl (Brogan Ellis) appears mysteriously in Shelly's life and shows her acts of kindness without revealing her motive.
McQueen is extraordinarily good in the lead role. Her character is simultaneously gobby, battle-hardened and vulnerable and the actress portrays her to perfection.
Meanwhile, Lord plays the predatory paedophile with insidious creepiness and Walsh, in her first screenplay, is remarkable tight with her script. Not a scene is wasted.
Did I say that I loved The Violators? Well, I did. It is a tough watch but it is one of my favourite movies of 2016 so far,
Reasons to watch: realistic and relentless
Reasons to avoid: the child exploitation subtext might be too tough for some
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 9/10
Star tweet
Thank you to everyone at @BIFA_film I am thrilled and honoured to be one of the 12 chosen for the longlist! Well done everyone!
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