Overview
Three girls embark on a perilous journey across the Australian Outback, fighting for their freedom and identity.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- harrowing
- determined
- melancholic
- historical film night
- social justice discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a visually beautiful, well-acted, and compelling true-life drama, while its historical portrayal provoked controversy among some commentators.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The three girls are removed from their homes under Australia's assimilation policy and placed in a state institution.
Molly, Daisy, and Gracie escape institutional custody and walk across the Outback to return to their family.
The girls' trek is framed through wide, visually striking views of the Australian Outback and the rabbit-proof fence.
The film depicts the removal policy and its contested historical memory from the perspective of Indigenous children and families.
Films like Rabbit-Proof Fence, and why
The Last of the Mohicans
shared historical drama, colonialism, child endangerment, and survival journey
The Killing Fields
shared true-story drama, institutional oppression, cultural conflict, and determined resistance
The New World
shared historical drama, Indigenous dispossession, family separation, and survival under colonial power
Philomena
shared biographical drama, child abuse, institutional injustice, and emotionally direct storytelling
Movie Details
- Director
- Phillip Noyce
- Release Date
- 2002-02-04
- Runtime
- 94 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (405)
Cast
- Everlyn Sampi
- Tianna Sansbury
- Laura Monaghan
- David Gulpilil
- Ningali Lawford
- Myarn Lawford
- Deborah Mailman
- Jason Clarke
- Kenneth Branagh
- Natasha Wanganeen
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Rabbit-Proof Fence about?
- Three Aboriginal girls defy a colonial removal system in a harrowing trek across the Australian Outback toward home.
- What is Rabbit-Proof Fence like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Rabbit-Proof Fence as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Rabbit-Proof Fence violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Rabbit-Proof Fence as mild.
- What did critics think of Rabbit-Proof Fence?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a visually beautiful, well-acted, and compelling true-life drama, while its historical portrayal provoked controversy among some commentators.
- Which films are like Rabbit-Proof Fence?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last of the Mohicans, The Killing Fields, The New World, and Philomena.
- How long is Rabbit-Proof Fence?
- Rabbit-Proof Fence runs 94 minutes.
- Where can I watch Rabbit-Proof Fence?
- In United States, Rabbit-Proof Fence is available to rent or buy from Google Play Movies, YouTube.
