By Romey Norton - November 3, 2024
Model Behaviour is the 2013 action-thriller film by Australian writer/director Nathan Hill. If you’re a fan of the crime-drama genre, and films with layers and suspense, then this is one you need to add to your watchlist.
The story is simple: We follow detective Jordan Rhodes who hunts down a notorious killer hiding in plain sight in the fashion industry. The cat-and-mouse chase is intriguing and entertaining throughout. The stakes are raised when the killer distributes horrific crime-scene photographs to the press and upcoming models fall victim to horrific deaths. A reluctant Rhodes meets model Alexis Clarke, whom he becomes instantly suspicious of. With pressures growing, Rhodes realises no one is exhibiting model behaviour.
The script has some dark comedy elements, for example, “We found his penis in a saucepan” - which had me laughing even though it’s a serious topic. There are moments where the script can be a little cheesy, but it isn’t too distracting from an overall serious drama. This is down to the actor's commitment to their roles.
The acting is some of the best I have seen from Nathan Hill’s films, with Jordan Rhodes’ character being the most compelling. Hill gives a gripping performance - his character is subtle and sometimes unnerving. He’ll have you guessing what his next move is. We’re led into thinking our protagonist is a ladies' man as he’s warned not to sleep with the suspect, victims, or anyone he contacts during this investigation. John McCullough as the captain is intense and challenges the other actors around him to keep up. Stacey McMahon plays Alexis Clarke with brutal bluntness and charisma. Having a female “villain” is a nice choice for the crime-drama genre.
The editing and shooting style is very good and impressive—certainly a high standard for an independent film. I enjoyed the darker lighting, quick cuts, and hard dramatic rock music breaks. This all helps drive the pace of the film and hold attention.
There’s a freaky intimate sex scene in a warehouse with more than just props watching. This encounter is exposed, putting Rhodes's reputation at risk. Now more than ever, the pressure is on to find the killer and restore his honour.
Towards the end, Rhodes finds himself in a sticky situation as the cops turn on him, while the hot diva blonde escapes. There’s a small car chase sequence, which for an independent film, isn’t bad. The end has a few twists and turns, and even though it's slightly predictable, it’s still entertaining. The film leaves audiences on a cliff-hanger, where they choose what they think is the truth. Even though it’s technically open-ended, I felt fulfilled.
Overall, Model Behaviour is an action-packed thriller, with first-class acting, decent character, and plot development. If you’re looking for an easy action-drama watch, I highly recommend watching Model Behaviour.
MODEL BEHAVIOUR IS AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL PLATFORMS
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