Monday Morning Maybe

Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Poster for The Last Wave

The Last Wave

Seen it?

1977 | 106 min | Drama, Mystery, Fantasy

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (78% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing and fantasy fans. If you loved Witness for the Prosecution or The Conversation, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Tense.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 46 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG: scary moments. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • Made in 1977: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

A Sydney lawyer defends five Aboriginal people in a ritualised taboo murder and in the process learns disturbing truths about himself and premonitions.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 85 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.7 out of 10

  • AwardsBelow par

    3 wins and 5 nominations from smaller awards and festivals

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $2 million worldwide on a $825K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 75K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Peter Weir

  • Richard ChamberlainDavid Burton
  • Olivia HamnettAnnie Burton
  • David GulpililChris Lee
  • Nandjiwarra AmagulaCharlie
  • Frederick ParslowRev. Burton
  • Vivean GrayDr. Whitburn
  • Walter AmagulaGerry Lee
  • Roy BaraLarry
  • Cedrick LalaraLindsey
  • Morris LalaraJacko