Rogue (2007 film)

Rogue
Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	2007
Founder	Greg McLean
Products	Horror film

Rogue is a 2007 Australian horror movie both written and directed by Greg McLean. Featuring performances by Michael Vartan, Radha Mitchell, and Sam Worthington, the story centers on a group of tourists in Australia who become prey to a saltwater crocodile exceeding seven meters in length.

Drawing inspiration from the real-life tale of Sweetheart, an enormous saltwater crocodile from the late 1970s, Rogue garnered favorable reviews from critics but did not achieve commercial success. It represents the second and final collaboration between Dimension Films and Village Roadshow Pictures, following 1992's Fortress.

Plot

Set amidst the swamps of Australia's Northern Territory, American travel journalist Pete McKell joins a crocodile-spotting river tour led by wildlife expert Kate Ryan. When the group notices a distant flare, they decide to investigate upstream, navigating through challenging terrain and eerie silence. Along the way, they come across a partially submerged wreck before their vessel is attacked by a gigantic crocodile.

Trapped on a small island within the crocodile’s domain, the travelers confront increasing peril. Several attempt to flee but are killed, revealing their predator as a rogue saltwater crocodile over seven meters long. Nightfall brings failed attempts to swim across the river, resulting in further fatalities.

Pete formulates a strategy involving bait to divert the crocodile's attention while others swim to safety. The creature captures Kate and drags her underwater; Pete follows them into a cave that serves as its lair. After finding Kate injured and losing his dog Kevin to the beast, Pete injures the crocodile by stabbing its eye with a bone and ultimately kills it by impaling it on a sharp stake.

Surviving the ordeal, Pete escapes with Kate and later reunites with rescuers. A newspaper subsequently reports on Pete’s courageous fight and rescue efforts.

Cast

Michael Vartan as Pete McKell
Radha Mitchell as Kate Ryan
Sam Worthington as Neil Kelly
Stephen Curry as Simon
Celia Ireland as Gwen
John Jarratt as Russell
Damien Richardson as Collin
Robert Taylor as Everett Kennedy
Caroline Brazier as Mary Ellen
Heather Mitchell as Elizabeth Smith
Geoff Morrell as Allen Smith
Mia Wasikowska as Sherry Smith
Barry Otto as Merv
Burt as the crocodile

Production

Principal photography took place on location at Yellow Water Billabong, Katherine Gorge, and Arnhem Land.

Home media

The Australian DVD release of Rogue occurred on 29 May 2008 and features a documentary titled "The Making of Rogue", four featurettes, and the original theatrical trailer. Versions released in the US and UK include an audio commentary track. By 2013, Blu-ray editions were available in Canada and the UK; the Canadian edition contains only the film, whereas the UK version offers most bonus content except for the trailer.

Box office

Rogue premiered in Australia on 11 November 2007, earning A$667,194 during its opening period and accumulating A$1.8 million over eleven weeks. Its limited US release began on 25 April 2008 across ten theaters, generating US$7,711 during opening weekend and totaling US$10,452 domestically. As of November 2009, global box office receipts reached A$5.98 million.

Critical reception

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Rogue has earned an 83% approval rating from 18 critics, with an average rating of 7.3 out of 10.

The Herald Sun in Melbourne gave the film a three-star rating out of five, describing it as a well-crafted Australian thriller that will appeal to enthusiasts of the killer crocodile subgenre. The Sydney Morning Herald awarded it three and a half stars, highlighting its sophistication despite the unavoidable comparisons to Jaws. Meanwhile, Variety commended the movie as a dependable B-movie featuring impressive visual effects and steady moments of tension, concluding that the creature alone justifies the ticket cost.

Awards and nominations

Award	Category	Recipient	Outcome
AACTA Award (2008 AFI Awards)	Best Visual Effects	Andrew Hellen	Template:Won
		Dave Morley	Template:Won
		Jason Bath	Template:Won
		John Cox	Template:Won
Australian Screen Editors	Avid Award for Best Editing on a Feature Film	Jason Ballantine	Template:Nom
AWGIE Award	Best Original Feature Film	Greg McLean	Template:Nom
Fangoria Chainsaw Award	Best Limited-Release/Direct-to-Video Film		Template:Won
Sitges Film Festival	Best Film	Greg McLean	Template:Nom