Suburban Mayhem
Suburban Mayhem is a 2006 Australian film directed by Paul Goldman and written by Alice Bell. The film was produced by Leah Churchill-Brown, with Jan Chapman as executive producer. The ensemble cast includes Emily Barclay, Michael Dorman, Anthony Hayes, Steve Bastoni, Mia Wasikowska and Genevieve Lemon. Filming locations included Sydney and Newcastle, Australia.
Suburban Mayhem
Paul Goldman
Jan Chapman
Leah Churchill-Brown
Robert Humphreys
Stephen Evans
Mick Harvey
Icon Film Distribution (Australia)
26 October 2006
95 minutes
Australia
English
A$4,000,000
Suburban Mayhem had its world premiere at Cannes Film Festival[1] and had its North American debut at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was subsequently released in Australia on October 26, 2006, , followed by releases in other countries.
Plot[edit]
Katrina (portrayed by Emily Barclay) is a 19-year-old single mother with sinister plans. She navigates a world rife with petty crime, fast cars, manicures, and casual relationships. A skilled manipulator of men, Katrina resides with her lethargic father in the suburban area of Golden Grove, Sydney. Determined to get her way, Katrina will even resort to murder. When her father contemplates reaching out to Social Services to take custody of her child, she devises a plan that will not only cause chaos in the suburb but also catapult her to a level of infamy beyond her wildest expectations.
The story is loosely inspired by the heinous crimes committed by Mark Valera, who was responsible for the deaths of Frank Arkell and David O'Hearn. Additionally, it draws parallels with his sister, Belinda van Krevel, and her then-partner Keith Schreiber, who were involved in the murder of Jack van Krevel.
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Reception[edit]
Critical reception[edit]
Suburban Mayhem has received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a "rotten" rating of 20%, based on 5 reviews, with an average rating of 4/10.[4] Film scholar Bruno Starrs has critiqued the film with regard to Barbara Creed's notion of the "maternal feminine" monster.[5]