How far would you go for everything? The nature of man’s greed is fertile ground for cinematic storytelling. Set against the brutal Australian outback and a career-best turn from Zac Efron; Gold makes for a compelling watch.

In a non-specific dystopia, both the environment and society appear to be on the edge of collapse. Virgil (Efron) is making his way west, in the vague promise of joining a group of people at a compound in search of a better life. He charters the services of Keith (Hayes) and together, the two men make their way across the desolate centre of Australia.

During a stop to cool the engine, Virgil notices a golden glint in the ground. After doing some digging, they discover a gigantic gold nugget. After unsuccessfully attempting to extract it with the means at their disposal, Keith leaves to get an excavator, leaving Virgil to guard the claim.

What follows is an examination of the madness of greed and what a vague promise of great wealth can motivate someone to do. Virgil’s character is literally and figuratively out of his element, trying his best to survive against the unrelenting elements. He discovers a crashed plane nearby and manages to construct an improvised shelter, but dwindling supplies and intermittent contact with Keith begin to take their toll on his mental state. An encounter with a traveler forces him to commit a heinous act and left alone with nothing but his guilt for company, his mind begins to unravel slowly.

Man vs. Nature

The appeal of a film like this depends a lot on the audience beholding it. I quite enjoy films of this style – The Revenant and Mads Mikkelsen’s underrated 2018 film Arctic are two examples that are worth looking into – however, the man against nature formula isn’t for everyone. It’s far from a comfortable watch and can be at times pretty gruelling as Efron’s character becomes more and more affected by the terrible heat. Of particular note is the make-up, which turns Efron’s usually perfect skin into a terrible visage as it splits, cracks, and blisters because of the exposure to the sun.

This style of film also depends on the central actor’s capability to carry the bulk of the film solo. I was in doubt that Efron had the chops to do what Mikkelsen or DiCaprio before him, had done. This is despite some recent, interesting fare under his belt. However, I’m glad to report that my doubt proves unfounded. and the performance drives the film effectively. Virgil is a man of few words, but Efron’s performance draws you in as an audience member and fosters curiosity and sympathy.

Descent into Madness

Efron finds his capable support in the hands of Anthony Hayes. Hayes, (also the director) plays Keith, a man who makes it pretty clear from the get-go that he’s very much out for himself. Susie Porter is also fantastic as the mysterious traveller, a character we’re not entirely sure is real. These performances are set against what has so often become a character in its own right throughout Australian cinema. The beautiful but deadly landscape. The cinematography turns up the saturation, making the bright, harsh sun more brilliant and the shadows darker. This visual decision also reflects Virgil’s arc, as the unreality of the landscape mirrors his descent into madness.

Tragic but Brilliant

The film is not for everyone certainly, but for those who can see the appeal. It’s a challenge to make it through some of the more gruelling and demanding parts of the plot. But if you do, Gold provides a compelling, engaging piece of cinema. While not exactly fresh territory in terms of what it sets out to do, it reflects the lengths people will go to. That is, if they can imagine the outcome to be immense wealth. It shows the ugly, selfish reality of man’s nature, set against a backdrop of the primal need to survive.

Gold is currently streaming on Stan. Check out the trailer below:

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