The Cost (2022 film)

The Cost
Directed byMatthew Holmes
Written by
  • Matthew Holmes
  • Gregory Moss
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyCable Williams
Edited byEdward Tresize
Music byRonnie Minder
Production
companies
  • RLC Motion Picture Entertainment
  • Two Tone Pictures
  • Bronte Pictures
  • La Rosa Productions
Distributed by
  • Madman Films (Australia)
  • Electric Entertainment (North America)
  • High Fliers Films (UK/Ireland)
Release dates
  • 26 November 2022 (2022-11-26) (Monster Fest)
  • 5 October 2023 (2023-10-05) (theatrical)
Running time
108 minutes
CountryAustralia

The Cost is a 2022 Australian revenge drama directed by Matthew Holmes from an original screenplay by Matthew Holmes and Gregory Moss. Set over 48 hours, the film follows two men as they seek to enact vengeance on a convicted felon, by taking him deep into the bush to inflict a series of brutal punishments. It stars Jordan Fraser-Trumble, Damon Hunter, Kevin Dee, Nicole Pastor and Clayton Watson.

The director's intentions with The Cost was to explore at the moral, ethical and emotional implications surrounding vengeance and vigilante justice.[1] The writers wanted to steer away from the tropes typically associated with vigilante films and present an act of revenge in a highly realistic way.[2]

Some elements within the story, such as the flashbacks to the character of Stephanie, were inspired by the real-life murder of Jill Meagher.[3][4]

  1. ^ "[Exclusive BTS Photos!] Matthew Holmes' revenge drama The Cost is currently shooting in Melbourne". Cinema Australia. 21 April 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  2. ^ "The Cost – interview with Matthew Holmes". Film Reviews. 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Matthew Holmes and The Cost Benefit of Indie Filmmaking". Filmink. 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Australian film maker Matthew Holmes: refreshing realism". Medium. 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.