Australia’s film industry has gone in the right direction over recent years creating films like The Rover, The Lego Movie and The Babadook. One of its newest films, Son of a Gun, attempts to continue that streak as it divulges us into the criminal underworld of the rather large continent.

Written and directed by first-timer Julius Avery, the film starts a lot like Starred Up, a prison drama where we look through the window of what life is like in jail. There we meet ‘JR’, a nineteen year old locked up for minor crime. Soon, he learns the harsh realities of prison – protection is paramount. Taking this on board, he finds himself under the watch of Brendan Lynch (Ewan McGregor), one of Australia’s most notorious criminals. Used by Lynch as a pawn, JR break’s Lynch and pals out of their jail sentence – as a reward he is asked to join their crew and lifestyle like before they were caught.

Of course, it sounds like something from a Grand Theft Auto game, from all of the typical action thrills of shootouts, car chases, heists and double crosses – yet through the mix of that is surprising attention to characters, proving it to be an electrifying popcorn thriller!

Taking on the lead-role, and continuing his rise to fame is Brendan Thwaites, an Australian newcomer that proves he is one to look out for. However, Son of a Gun’s highlight performance comes from Ewan McGregor, as he walks and talks the part of a convincing criminal. He regiments the respect, and comes across admirably – but soon reminds us that he is a scumbag.

On her third film this month, Alicia Vikander co-stars the ‘big bosses’ daughter – which, as pleasant as she is, feels very unnecessary as it drifts the plot too far in the other direction.

Raising testosterone levels to max’, Son of a Gun contains the usual criminal clichés and routines of get away drivers, strip clubs and gun showdowns. Yet, the backstabbing and plots twists are where the true funs lies. From there, it feels like the work of Michael Mann as it captures the appropriate themes, atmosphere and narratives smoothly – yet, in the Western Australian vista and busy Melbourne.

If there was something to define Son of a Gun, it is the interlock of chess metaphors heavily played upon throughout (which JR seems to be a prodigy at). One; that you either go all or nothing. Two; that you use the pawns as sacrifices … but what the film outlines best is that chess can go either way quickly.