Quick Take: Fin Edquist’s Bad Girl (2017) is a slick, sun-drenched Australian neo-noir that channeling classic psychological thrillers like Single White Female and Heavenly Creatures into a story of teenage obsession, dark family secrets, and deadly identity games.
📌 Plot Overview
Amy, a rebellious 17-year-old with a history of delinquency, is relocated by her adoptive parents to a secluded luxury home in the rural hills of Western Australia for a fresh start. Resistant to her parents' efforts to discipline her, Amy’s outlook shifts when she meets Chloe, a charming local girl around her age who works as a cleaner nearby.
An intense, immediate friendship develops between the two girls, morphing into an unspoken, romantic undertone. However, as Chloe becomes increasingly integrated into Amy’s family life, Amy begins to sense that Chloe’s presence isn't accidental. Beneath Chloe's pristine, polite demeanor lies a calculating motive that threatens to unravel both families' buried pasts in a violent confrontation.
💡 Why It’s Worth Watching
Compelling Lead Performances: Sara West (Amy) and Samara Weaving (Chloe) deliver electric screen chemistry. Weaving gives a standout early-career turn as a manipulative antagonist who balances sociopathic charm with deep emotional wounds.
Sunlit Australian Gothic: Director Fin Edquist uses the isolated, sun-bleached Western Australian countryside to create a claustrophobic sense of dread, subverting bright rural landscapes with dark psychological tension.
Tight, Classic Genre Pacing: The film leans into classic 1990s erotic and psychological thriller tropes, delivering sharp twists, cat-and-mouse games, and a fast-moving narrative structure.
🏷️ Interactive Tags & Motifs
Genre: Psychological Thriller / Australian Neo-Noir / Mystery / Drama
Themes: Obsession & Identity Theft, Adoption & Family Secrets, Toxic Relationships, Small-Town Isolation, Class Dynamics
Mood & Tone: Tense, Suspenseful, Sleek, Unsettling, Melodramatic
Content Warnings: Violence, blood/gore, psychological manipulation, substance abuse, domestic conflict
⭐️ Verdict & Final Thoughts
Bad Girl (2017) is an engaging, well-crafted thriller that showcases top-tier Australian talent. Driven by strong performances from Sara West and Samara Weaving, it delivers a satisfying blend of suspense, dark secrets, and psychological intrigue for fans of indie thrillers.
📺 Where to Watch
Streaming: Available to stream on Tubi, Plex, and The Roku Channel (US).
VOD Rentals: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube VOD.
Want a director profile for Fin Edquist exploring his work as a screenwriter and director?
