In memory of Sam Neill (1947-2026).

A black comedy starring real-life great mates Sam Neill and John Clarke, imports from Aotearea, Death in Brunswick is both a marker of its time in late-20th century suburbia and an enduring example of Australian cultural and cinematic humour. This riotous rollercoaster of murder and mayhem set in the multicultural inner Melbourne suburbs stars Neill as Carl, a forty-something no-hoper whose takes a job as a cook in a seedy nightclub to escape his cantankerous mother. A flirtation with fetching barmaid Sophie (Zoe Carides) – who is engaged to the nightclub owner – lands Carl on the wrong side of a viscous bouncer but when attacked by his drug-dealing Turkish kitchenhand, Carl inflicts a grievous form of self-defence that sparks a deepening gangland feud. Best pal Dave (Clarke) is soon employed as Carl’s protector – and gravedigger – as a band of cutthroats block Carl’s path to his bartending sweetheart.

Come and celebrate the irreplaceable screen presence of Sam Neill (and John Clarke, while we’re at it). Margaret and David both gave it four and a half stars – we say five!