Emily Barclay, Michael Dorman, Robert Morgan

"Suburban Mayhem" is a sexy black comedy drama which tells the story of Katrina Skinner, a 19-year-old single mum who plans to get away with murder. Katrina lives in a world of petty crime, fast cars,...( read more  read more... ) manicures and blowjobs. A master manipulator of men living at home with her father in suburban Golden Grove, Katrina will stop at nothing to get what she wants, even murder. When her father threatens to contact social services and take away her child, Katrina sets in motion a plan to wreak suburban mayhem that will leave a community in shock and Katrina infamous in a way even she never dreamed of.

Flixster Users

56% liked it

14,620 ratings

Critics

20% liked it

5 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Paul Goldman

Release Date: May 24, 2006

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DVD Release Date: October 2, 2007

Stats: 282 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (282)


  • July 14, 2009
    For all my displeasure at the Australian film industry for making pathetic film after pathetic film, I will acknowledge when we get off our arses and make something to be proud of (I'd liken it to putting a child's picture on the fridge but that seems patronizing somehow).
    That's...( read more) not to say this is the only Australian film I'm a fan of (The King and of course, The Castle help in that area) but it won me over quicker than either of those.

    The film details the life of Katrina Skinner (Emily Barclay, who is able to play such a dark, repulsive woman despite little experience in film like she's turning a light switch on and off) and is also filmed in part like a "documentary" (I say it in air quotes since I don't want people thinking this is based on true events) about her, involving events towards the end of the film which I won't go into since it might spoil the movie.
    Katrina's an uncontrollable, self-absorbed party girl with criminal tendencies... and a mother. Yep, that's an oil/water mixture right there. The mother part is important since over the film, many people ask her about her child and why she doesn't see her more often.
    In short, she's a bogan. For overseas readers, bogan is Australia's counterpart to the USA's "trailer trash" and the UK's "chavs".

    Despite my contempt for the character, I highly praise Emily Barclay for her performance. Still quite new to films, she has to carry a majority of this film and play someone so easy to hate and like I said, she pulls it off with ease. I wonder what surprises she'll pull out on us in the future, perhaps something to make this look like child's play.

    Another high point of note for me is the music. Rock songs with female vocalists, most I'm familiar with and all welcome. Added bonus, most of them are Australian (Suzi Quatro being the most notable exception I care to make but hey, if I can hear 48 Crash, I'm not one to complain). During a scene in a shopping centre, the song Paco Doesn't Love Me by The Spazzys can be heard and later on in the film, we can hear Little Birdy's song This Is A Love Song. Australia may not be all that great in the film industry but when it comes to music, we've got a few aces up our sleeve.

    I hope it's not too long before another Australian film overwhelms me like Suburban Mayhem. I still need to get the thoughts of The Book Of Revelation exorcised from my mind.
  • March 19, 2008
    An amusing 'slice of life' drama/thriller from Australia. Very much like a soap opera crossed with a wannabe thriller. Enjoyable, with a decent little story, but there is only so much bitchiness one can take. The lead (Emily Barclay) is pretty sexy... at first, but her behaviour ...( read more)makes her very ugly, very quickly. The murder/mystery ending is fun, but a bit contrived. Ultimately, I can't review this without revealing the ending. You have to appreciate the turmoils of parenthood while watching this, especially if Katrina (the lead), was your daughter.
  • September 6, 2009
    Tries hard to be Tarrantino, but isn't, by a long way.
  • July 27, 2009
    Best movie ever! this chick is off her head, must watch it.
  • June 3, 2009
    overrated but emily barclay is awesome
  • April 23, 2009
    wild girl wild car, wild life, wild side.
  • January 29, 2009
    terriblemente mal a como una historia que podrķa ser mera violencia e impacto visual termina siendo esta sandez?
  • August 25, 2008
    Looks incredibly cheap and sleazy. Bingo!
  • August 25, 2008
    pretty twisted but i liked it
  • July 19, 2008
    This is a great Aussie movie!

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Suburban Mayhem Trivia


  • What is the name of the main actress in the film, which this quote is spoken - 'I knew the mother, she was mad. I knew the grandmother, she was madder. It's genetics I reckon. That's the only thing I can come up with. You just can't get clean water from a dirty tank. '  Answer »

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