Watch Drown

Drown is a powerful drama that delves into themes of masculinity, sexuality, and violence. The film is set in beach-side Sydney, and follows the story of three surf lifesavers who spend their days patrolling the coast, drinking beer, and engaging in casual hook-ups with local girls. The trio consists of Len (Matt Levett), the alpha male and captain of the surf club; Phil (Jack Matthews), the eager-to-please new recruit; and Meat (Harry Cook), the sensitive outsider who struggles to fit in with the aggressive culture of the surf lifesaving scene.

The film begins with a night of heavy drinking, where the trio encounter an openly gay man, Fergus (Sam Anderson), who they immediately label as a "faggot" and a "pervert". This encounter sets in motion a series of events that will test the limits of the trio's friendship, as they confront their own suppressed desires and fears.

One of the main threads of the film is Len's growing obsession with Fergus, who he secretly desires but cannot acknowledge due to his own internalized homophobia. Len's behavior becomes increasingly erratic and violent as he struggles to reconcile his attraction to Fergus with his own hyper-masculine identity. Meanwhile, Phil and Meat begin to question their own sexuality, as they are drawn to the openness and honesty of Fergus's lifestyle.

Throughout the film, we see flashbacks to the trio's childhood, where we witness the roots of their toxic behavior and attitudes towards women and LGBT individuals. The film does not shy away from portraying the ugly reality of sexual assault and domestic violence, and we see how these experiences have shaped the behavior of the characters in the present day.

The cinematography of the film is stunning, capturing the beauty of the Australian coastline in vivid detail. The sound design is also exceptional, with the crashing waves and pulsing music adding to the sense of tension and unease that permeates the film.

The performances of the cast are outstanding, with Levett delivering a nuanced and complex portrayal of Len's inner turmoil. Stange is also excellent as Eva, a local girl who becomes embroiled in the trio's destructive behavior, and Anderson imbues Fergus with a vulnerability and strength that makes his character an unlikely hero of the film.

Overall, Drown is a powerful and thought-provoking film that explores issues of toxic masculinity and prejudice in a sensitive and complex way. While it can be difficult to watch at times, the film's important message about the dangers of repressed desire and fear is an important one that resonates long after the credits have rolled.

Drown is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.