The Nightingale (2019)(2019)

R
Rated R for strong violent and disturbing content including rape, language throughout, and brief sexuality
2h 16m

Release Date: Aug 2, 2019 | Limited

Set in 1825, Clare, a young Irish convict woman, chases a British officer through the rugged Tasmanian wilderness, bent on revenge for a terrible act of violence he committed against her family. On the way she enlists the services of an Aboriginal tracker named Billy, who is also... Read all

Official Website

Releases

Original Release | Aug 2, 2019

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Box Office Results

Results

Opening Weekend US & Canada:
$35,882
Total US & Canada:
$400,209
Total International
$588,478
Total Worldwide:
$988,687

Current Showtimes

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(U.S. Only)

Director & Top Cast

Jennifer Kent
Director

Aisling Franciosi
Clare

Maya Christie
Baby Brigid

Baykali Ganambarr
Billy

Addison Christie
Baby Brigid

Damon Herriman
Ruse

Harry Greenwood

Jago

Claire Jones

Harriet

Ewen Leslie

Goodwin

Sam Claflin

Hawkins

Charlie Shotwell

Eddie

Michael Sheasby

Aidan

Charlie Jampijinpa Brown

Uncle Charlie

Eloise Winestock

Luddy

Magnolia Maymuru

Lowanna

Matthew Barker

Goodwin's Ensign

Charles McCarthy

Convict Violinist

Ben Morton

Wallace

Technical Specifications

Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

Aspect Ratio: 1.37 : 1

Other Details

Country of Origin: Australia,Canada

Language: English,Irish Gaelic,Aboriginal

Summaries

Plot Summary

In 1825, on the eve of the "Black War", Irish convict Clare Carroll works as a servant for Colonial force detachment commanded by Lieutenant Hawkins. The unit is visited by an officer to see if Hawkins is fit for promotion. Clare, nicknamed "Nightingale", sings and serves drinks for the men. After work, Clare visits Hawkins to make an inquiry, and he forces her to sing a special song for him. Hawkins makes unwanted advances on her and Clare rebuffs them. She asks about the letter of recommendation that would free her, her husband, and their infant daughter. Hawkins rapes her. Aidan suspects that Clare has been hurt but remains calm when he confronts Hawkins about the letter; however, he fails to sway him.That night, Aidan engages in a brawl with Hawkins, his second-in-command Sergeant Ruse, and Ensign Jago. The visiting officer witnesses the incident and decides that he is unfit for promotion. Hawkins commands Ruse and Jago to gather supplies for an journey through The bush to the town of Launceston, Tasmania, in hopes of negotiating with the officer. Before departing, the soldiers intercept the Carroll family, attempting to flee. Hawkins, Ruse, and Jago gang-rape Clare. Hawkins kills Aidan, and Jago kills their baby then knocks Clare unconscious at Hawkins' command.The following morning, Clare reports the incident to a RMP official, but realizes that he's of no help, so decides to seek revenge herself, with the help of an Aboriginal tracker named Billy. Clare presents the mission to Billy as her desire to rendezvous with her husband on his journey. At first, Clare is domineering toward Billy, but their mutual hostility dissipates and they gradually bond as they learn about each other's tragic upbringings, with both gaining an increased appreciation for each other's culture. Billy tells Clare that his actual name is Mangana, Palawa kani for "blackbird", and that he wishes to go north to reunite with the still-living female members of his people. Meanwhile, the officers recruit three convicts and an Aboriginal, Charlie for their journey. Hawkins takes a liking to one of the convicts, a child named Eddie, and Ruse kidnaps a woman named Lowanna to be used as a sex slave. Aboriginal men kill one of the convicts and injure Jago in an unsuccessful rescue mission. Hawkins holds Lowanna hostage, then kills her distracting the men. He, Ruse, and the convicts flee, leaving Jago behind. Later, Clare and Mangana stumble upon Jago, whom Mangana assumes is her husband. Clare corners Jago, stabbing and beating him to death. Mangana considers abandoning Clare, but after he learns the true story behind her desire to get revenge, he decides to stay.Charlie, as revenge for the soldiers' inhumanity, diverts the journey to a dead end on the summit of a mountain. Ruse kills him, but Hawkins chastises Ruse and forces him to be their guide on the way back down. After Clare and Mangana find Charlie's body, Mangana performs burial rites and informs Clare that now he too, seeks vengeance. The two approach the group of four men, but Clare freezes when she sees Hawkins, allowing him to graze her with a musket shot, forcing Clare and Mangana to split up. Mangana is found and forced to be the new guide. He brings the soldiers back to the main path to Launceston, and Hawkins orders Eddie to kill Mangana, but Eddie hesitates, allowing Mangana to escape. Hawkins tries to abandon Eddie, but when Eddie begs for a second chance, Hawkins shoots and kills him. Clare also finds her way back onto the main path and reunites with Mangana. They encounter a chain gang of Aboriginal men, one of whom informs Mangana that he is now the last of his people. When the prisoner yells at his captors about their callousness, they shoot him and the others dead.In Launceston, Clare confronts a newly promoted Hawkins about his crimes in the presence of his fellow officers while Mangana watches in hiding. The two then flee town, but Mangana dons war paint, and makes back for the town despite Clare's pleas that he'll be murdered. She follows as Mangana enters the hostel where Hawkins and Ruse are lodged, and proceeds to kill them both, but not before Ruse shoots and deeply wounds him. Clare and Mangana flee and arrive at a beach where Mangana dances and declares himself a free man, while Clare sings a panegyric Gaelic folk song as the two watch the sun rise.

Storyline

'THE NIGHTINGALE' is a meditation on the horrors of Australian colonization, set at the turn of the 19th century. The film follows Clare, a 21-year-old native Irish wife and mother held captive beyond her 7-year sentence, desperate to be free of her obsessed master, British lieutenant Hawkins. Clare's husband Aidan intervenes with devastating consequences for all. When British authorities fail to deliver justice, Clare pursues Hawkins, who leaves his post suddenly to secure a captaincy up north. Unfamiliar with the Tasmanian wilderness she enlists the help of an orphaned Aboriginal tracker Billy. Marked by their traumas, the two fight to overcome their distrust and prejudices against the backdrop of Australia's infamous 'Black War.' — Mae Moreno Stripped of her humanity and repeatedly violated without recourse, a young Irish convict is left for dead by a depraved British lieutenant and his degenerate colonialist cronies. With nothing left to lose, she enlists the services of an orphaned Aboriginal tracker to navigate the Tasmanian wilderness and exact revenge. — Mae Moreno In 1825, young Irish convict Clare chases a British officer through the rugged Tasmanian wilderness, bent on revenge for the terrible act of violence he inflicted on her family. Along the way she enlists the services of an Aboriginal tracker, Billy, who is also marked with trauma from his own violence-filled past.