The Dry
Performance & Direction: The Dry Review
Last updated: January 25, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Dry (2021) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Dry features a noteworthy lineup led by Eric Bana . Supported by the likes of Genevieve O'Reilly and Keir O'Donnell , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Dry (2021) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.8/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Dry
Quick Plot Summary: The Dry is a Crime, Thriller, Mystery film that dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. Aaron Falk returns to his drought-stricken hometown to attend a tragic funeral. But his return opens a decades-old wound - the unsolved death of a teenage girl. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: The Dry
Ending Breakdown: The Dry concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Dry reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Dry Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Dry incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, thriller, mystery film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The Dry adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Dry?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Dry
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $15.6M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Top Cast: The Dry
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Dry Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Hulu
AMC Plus Apple TV Channel 
AMC+ Amazon Channel
AMC+
Philo
AcornTV Amazon Channel
Acorn TV Apple TV🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeThe Dry Parents Guide & Age Rating
2021 AdvisoryWondering about The Dry age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Dry is 117 minutes (1h 57m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.8/10, and global performance metrics, The Dry is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2021 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Dry worth watching?
The Dry is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Dry parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Dry identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Dry?
The total duration of The Dry is 117 minutes, which is approximately 1h 57m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Dry
How The Dry Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Dry
I have a fondness for Australian film. Much of it is brilliant.The Dry is a decent crime thriller but its not, in my estimation, a great film. There's a functional story behind The Dry but it lacks a certain cohesion. The ending that covers off, what is supposed to be a key focus of this tale, the death of a teenage girl, feels more than little, bolted on. Not to mention implausibly convenient. There's a sense too, that many of the secondary characters, are filler. They are padding, in what is effectively, a "who dun-nit", plot line. This has the effect of making the film feel, at times, rather flat. Some characters show up more than once, throughout the course of the film but because they are not well established in your mind, you have a hard time recalling, who they are. Looking beyond the shortcomings, this production is still a decent one. Quality acting talent brings this crime thriller to life and keeps you watching, till the closing credits. It might be flawed but its by no means boring. In summary, a quality Australian production but not a great one. Certainly worth a look, if you like crime drama, from down under.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
Useful Links
More with Eric Bana
View full filmography
Part of the The Dry Collection
Explore the full watch order, ratings, and collection details.
View Full Franchise