Slam (2018)

"For all its social and political subtext, Slam always stays firmly on track as a propulsive and engrossing thriller. Sen-Gupta generates high-level tension and suspense as the mystery deepens en route to a memorable conclusion."

"Overall, Slam is very impressive: it tells an important story in a convincing and enthralling way."

"Each plot strand echoes and illuminates the rest, mirroring the heightened tensions that took hold in so many Muslim enclaves in the West post-9/11. It all adds up to a telling indictment of the tyrannous effect of the 24-hour news cycle."

"As with the director’s previous film, Sunrise (2014), the hero’s journey is a tormented one. We cannot but feel for Ricky’s plight, but it is not always easy to be in his company. Bakri (who was so good in the arthouse hit Omar (2013)) doesn’t have that much dialogue and is here required to communicate his character’s narrative mostly through his facial expressions. Still, the message that ethnocentrism blights aspects of contemporary Australia comes across loud and clear."