Written and directed by Adelaide’s own Dario Russo in his directorial feature debut, The Fox was filmed in and around beautiful parts of the Adelaide Hills. It features an outstanding cast including excellent performances from Emily Browning and Claudia Doumit. There are also solid performances by Jai Courtney and Damon Herriman with appearances from legendary actors Heather Mitchell, Miranda Otto, Zlatko Burić, Frankie J. Holden, Kim Gyngell, and Peter O’Brien. Olivia Colman voices the part of the Fox and Sam Neill voices the part of the foul-mouthed Magpie.
The plot is inspired by Japanese, Korean, and Russian folklore. The Fox is set in a small town in the Adelaide Hills and begins with a commentary by the Fox about “the interests” of animals and what they really think about humans.
The story proper begins with local farmer Nick (Jai Courtney) and his girlfriend Kori (Emily Browning) eating dinner at the local hotel on “schnitzel night” and Nick proposing to Kori in public. Kori accepts but is unsure about their relationship and wants to end it. Kori is having an affair with the local vet and her boss Derek (Damon Herriman). Derek’s wife Diana (Claudia Doumit) almost catches Kori and Derek having sex and discovers a used condom which confirms to her that they are having an affair. Diana informs Nick about her discovery but Nick refuses to believe it.
Nick and his father Brian (Frankie J. Holden) suspect that foxes are killing their chickens on their farm and go out at night to shoot the foxes. During the night they shoot at a fox but miss and while chasing the Fox, Nick discovers that she is caught in a barbed wire fence. As Nick aims to shoot the Fox, she informs him that she knows about Kori and Derek and that she knows how to resolve the issue. All he needs to do is drop her into a big hole in the forest to “change” her. Nick enlists the help of Diana to lure Kori into the forest to push her into the hole.
The plot of The Fox is problematic. Australia is facing a family, domestic and sexual violence crises which is occurring across all demographic groups but predominantly affects women and children. According to the organisation Australian Femicide Watch, as of 16 October, 56 women have been killed in Australia in 2026. In the middle of this crisis, a film which flippantly depicts this issue seems to be grossly out of step with the severity of the issue. Given this, it is curious that the film was funded by the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund, South Australian Film Corporation, Screen Australia and others.
The Fox screens as part of this year’s Adelaide Film Festival and will be released in cinemas on 26 November.
More information about the Adelaide Film Festival is available here:
https://www.adelaidefilmfestival.org
Reviewed by Rob McKinnon
Distributor: Madman Films
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