Watch Romper Stomper
- R
- 1993
- 1 hr 34 min
-
6.8 (41,878)
Romper Stomper is a crime drama film from 1992 that centers around a group of neo-Nazi skinheads in Melbourne, Australia. The film follows the gang's leader, Hando (Russell Crowe), and his second-in-command, Davey (Daniel Pollock), as they recruit new members and commit acts of racially-motivated violence against Vietnamese immigrants.
The movie opens with Hando and his gang attacking a Vietnamese man in a park, setting the tone for the rest of the film's violent and disturbing content. The group is fueled by hatred and a sense of disenfranchisement, believing that the Vietnamese immigrants are stealing their jobs and their way of life.
As the gang grows in size and notoriety, tensions rise within the group. Davey becomes increasingly disillusioned with Hando's leadership and begins to question the group's values. Meanwhile, a young woman named Gabe (Jacqueline McKenzie) becomes involved with the gang after running away from home, but soon realizes she does not share their beliefs.
Romper Stomper is a gritty and intense film that does not shy away from its controversial subject matter. The violence is brutal and graphic, and the characters are often difficult to sympathize with. However, the movie does offer some insight into the reasons why these individuals might be drawn to a white supremacist ideology, such as a lack of opportunities and a sense of displacement in their own country.
What sets Romper Stomper apart from other crime dramas is its nuanced portrayal of the characters involved. Hando is not merely a one-dimensional villain but a complex individual with a troubled past and a lot of anger towards the world. His relationship with Davey is also explored in depth, showing how their friendship becomes strained under the weight of Hando's increasingly extreme views.
The acting in Romper Stomper is top-notch, particularly from Russell Crowe in his breakout role as Hando. He brings a fierce intensity to the character and manages to make him both terrifying and sympathetic at the same time. The rest of the cast also delivers strong performances, with Jacqueline McKenzie providing a much-needed moral compass as Gabe.
The film's soundtrack is also notable, featuring a mix of punk and traditional music that helps to capture the rebellious spirit of the skinhead subculture. The use of slow-motion and other stylistic techniques also adds to the film's overall impact, making the violent scenes even more visceral.
While Romper Stomper may not be for everyone due to its disturbing content, it is a thought-provoking and well-made film that explores a difficult topic with honesty and depth. It is a testament to the power of cinema to shed light on important social issues and spark dialogue and debate.
Romper Stomper is a 1993 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 61.