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Bad Girl is a 2016 Australian thriller film directed by Fin Edquist and starring Sara West, Samara Weaving, and Ben Winspear. The plot follows Amy, a troubled teenager with a history of violence, and her new foster sister Chloe, a bubbly and outgoing girl from a wealthy family. As the two girls struggle to get along, secrets are uncovered, lies are told, and tensions rise to a dangerous level.

The movie takes place in a small town in Australia, where Amy has been placed in foster care after being expelled from two schools and committing several acts of violence. She is placed in the home of Ben and Claire, a middle-aged couple who have been fostering children for several years. Ben is strict but fair, while Claire tries to befriend Amy and make her feel welcome. However, Amy is sullen and unresponsive, making it clear that she does not want to be there.

Things change when Chloe arrives on the scene. Chloe is the daughter of a wealthy businessman and has been sent to live with Ben and Claire after being caught in possession of drugs. She is outgoing, friendly, and immediately takes an interest in Amy. At first, Amy is hostile towards Chloe, dismissing her attempts at friendship and making it clear that she wants to be left alone. However, Chloe persists, and soon the two girls begin to bond over their shared love of music.

As the relationship between Amy and Chloe deepens, secrets begin to emerge. Amy’s troubled past is revealed, and it becomes clear that she has a history of violence and aggression towards others. Chloe, meanwhile, has her own secrets, including a strained relationship with her father and a troubled past with drugs. As the two girls begin to confide in each other, tensions rise between them and their respective families, leading to a string of explosive confrontations.

Throughout the film, the performances of West and Weaving are outstanding. West portrays Amy as a complex and troubled character, full of anger and resentment towards the world. She is unresponsive to attempts at kindness and support, preferring to push people away rather than let them get close. Weaving, on the other hand, plays Chloe with a sparkling energy, full of life and optimism. She is confident and outgoing, unafraid to speak her mind and take risks.

Winspear also delivers a strong performance as Ben, the foster father who tries to balance the needs of his foster children with the demands of his job and his own family. He is firm but compassionate, willing to listen to Amy’s problems and offer support when needed. Other standout performances include Felicity Price as Claire, the nurturing foster mother who tries to create a stable environment for Amy and Chloe, and Liam Graham as Amy’s former boyfriend, a menacing presence who threatens to unravel the lives of everyone involved.

The film is shot in a gritty, realistic style, with a muted color palette that reflects the bleakness of Amy’s world. The soundtrack is filled with moody indie rock songs, creating a sense of dissonance between the upbeat music and the dark subject matter. The pacing is slow but deliberate, allowing the tension to build gradually and increasing the impact of the film’s climactic scenes.

Overall, Bad Girl is a compelling and tense thriller that explores themes of family, friendship, and trauma in a nuanced and thoughtful way. The performances are excellent, the direction is skillful, and the story is both gripping and emotionally resonant. Fans of Australian cinema and psychological thrillers should definitely give this film a watch.

Bad Girl is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.