Directors: Jeffrey Walker, Gracie Otto
Writers: Elise McCredie, Matt Cameron, Osamah Sami; based on the novel by J.P. Pomare
Cast: Teresa Palmer, Miranda Otto, Guy Pearce, Hazem Shammas, Erroll Shand, Kate Mulvany, Anna Phillips, Julia Savage, Lily La Torre, Flynn Wandin
Episode air dates:
‘The Season of Unfoldment’ — 24/05/23
‘Kindred’ — 31/05/23
The Clearing will release new episodes weekly on Disney+.
For its first locally produced Australian series, Disney+ chose a story inspired by the Melbourne cult known as “The Family.” It’s certainly an unexpected pick for the House of Mouse. Based on the first two episodes I saw early, however, this is the kind of high-calibre crime drama Netflix viewers devour—one that should hook both Australian and international audiences.
Using a dual timeline, the series introduces us in the present day to Freya (Teresa Palmer), a single mother raising her son somewhere in Victoria. While swimming together, a white van driving near her home triggers an anxiety spiral. Something about it clearly dredges up her past.
Flash back to Freya as a child—renamed “Amy” (Julia Savage)—who participates in the abduction of another child for the cult, believing she’s helping. The Clearing is a slow burn across its early big beats, none more drawn-out than the eventual reveal of Adrienne Beaufort (Miranda Otto). The “Mother” of the adopted—and stolen—children appears modern, beautiful, and sophisticated. But as the kids line up to greet her and the caretakers scramble to make her visit perfect, it’s obvious Adrienne exerts total control over everyone at the secluded bush compound.
Adapted from J.P. Pomare’s 2020 novel In the Clearing, which fictionalised real events surrounding “The Family” led by Anne Hamilton-Byrne, the series retains core elements: a religious cult, systemic child abuse, and the children’s bleached-blonde hair. Every frame hums with malevolent energy. This isn’t a pleasant story, and the show has no interest in levity.
Across the two episodes I watched, the central question as Freya/Amy’s story toggles back and forth is whether a child who has suffered as much psychological damage as Amy can ever truly recover. With six episodes to go, my early answer would be “no,” but I’m keen to see where the series lands.
With a sensational Australian ensemble—including Guy Pearce, Claudia Karvan, Kate Mulvany, Xavier Samuel, and Harry Greenwood—there are plenty of familiar faces to love or, more often here, to loathe.
I was skeptical of Disney+’s first locally produced Australian drama, but if these opening chapters are any indication, The Clearing is a tense, dark thriller that heads to unsettling places and asks genuinely thought-provoking questions of its audience.
The Clearing premieres Wednesday, May 24, on Disney+.
