Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- haunting
- austere
- contemplative
- arthouse film night
- historical drama viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a haunting, unconventional Australian western with powerful performances, striking cinematography, and serious historical purpose, while some argued that its allegory simplifies colonial history.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The pursuit through the Australian outback reveals the brutality and racism of white policing toward Aboriginal people.
The Tracker leads the white pursuers while exercising strategic and ethical control over the journey.
The Australian wilderness dominates the film’s imagery while reflecting the characters’ ideological struggle.
The named archetypal characters and pursuit structure frame Australian frontier violence as a stark moral parable.
Films like The Tracker, and why
Sweet Country
Shared Australian western setting, colonial violence, racial tension, and morally charged pursuit narrative.
Rabbit-Proof Fence
Shared revisionist western form, Indigenous perspective, frontier brutality, and contemplative atmosphere.
The Proposition
Shared stark landscape, historical injustice, allegorical storytelling, and powerful visual minimalism.
Walkabout
Shared anti-colonial themes, Indigenous resistance, and serious historical drama rooted in landscape.
Movie Details
- Director
- Rolf de Heer
- Release Date
- 2002-08-08
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (73)
Cast
- David Gulpilil
- Gary Sweet
- Damon Gameau
- Grant Page
- Noel Wilton
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Tracker about?
- In a stark 1922 Australian outback pursuit, an Aboriginal tracker quietly turns a racist manhunt into an indictment of colonial power.
- What is The Tracker like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Tracker as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Tracker violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Tracker as brutal.
- What did critics think of The Tracker?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a haunting, unconventional Australian western with powerful performances, striking cinematography, and serious historical purpose, while some argued that its allegory simplifies colonial history.
- Which films are like The Tracker?
- Films with a similar feel include Sweet Country, Rabbit-Proof Fence, The Proposition, and Walkabout.
- How long is The Tracker?
- The Tracker runs 90 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Tracker?
- In United States, The Tracker streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
